YouSaid · the spoken record

Somavia

lines on the record: 426
first: 1996-01-12
most recent: 1997-12-18
sittings or episodes: 42
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

“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Chile. On 25 May there was a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected President of Sierra Leone. The international community was not slow to deplore and condemn that situation; it reacted simultaneously at the three levels that have recently characterized international action with regard to crises in Africa: the subregional level, through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the regional level, through the Organization of African Unity (OAU); and the international level, through the United Nations Security Council. It was initially at the regional and subregional levels that the decision to act was made. The Harare summit strongly condemned the military coup.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote. There being no objection, it is so decided. I shall first give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the voting.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“I thank the representative of Sierra Leone for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker inscribed on my list is the representative of Nigeria. I invite him to take a seat at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“Members of the Council have before them document S/1997/777, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the following documents: S/ 1997/776, letter dated 7 October 1997 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council; S/1997/499, letter dated 27 June 1997 from the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, transmitting the text of the final communique issued at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the situation in Sierra Leone on 26 June 1997; S/ 1997/646, letter dated 15 August 1997 from the Charge d'affaires ad interim of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, transmitting the text of the Declaration of the ECOWAS Committee of Four on Sierra Leone of 30 July 1997; and S/ 1997/695, letter dated 8 September 1997 from the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, transmitting the text of the final communique of the ECOWAS summit held in Abuja on 28 and 29 August 1997 and the decision on sanctions against the junta in Sierra Leone issued at the summit.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Jonah (Sierra Leone) took a seat at the Council table; Mr. Gambari (Nigeria) took the seat reserved for him at the side of the Council Chamber. The President (interpretation from Spanish): The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“I am sure I speak for all members of the Security Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Richardson for the great diplomatic skill, good humour and imagination with which he conducted the Council's business last month. I should particularly like to emphasize the United States initiative to hold an open debate on Africa last month, which lends a political framework to our debate today. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. The situation in Sierra Leone The President (interpretation from Spanish): I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Nigeria and Sierra Leone, in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“I should like, at the outset of the meeting, to acknowledge the presence at the Council table of the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Mr. Rodrigo Carreras, to whom, on behalf of the Council, I extend a warm welcome. Expression of thanks to the retiring President The President (interpretation from Spanish): As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of October, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to Mr. Bill Richardson, Permanent Representative of the United States of America, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of September 1997.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“This reflects Portugal's interest in expanding public debates, which Chile fully shares. This provides an excellent opportunity to hear delegations that are not members of the Council speak on an item that has long concerned us.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“Otherwise, even though many obstacles stand in the way, if, as we hope, the majority of the Somali leaders continue to pursue the peace process, it will move forward with the support of the international community, despite those who oppose it. Having said this, I should like to express our special concern about the humanitarian situation of the Somalis. This people, and those who wish to help them, must not be subjected to violence and must enjoy security so that they can develop as human beings. This is a point on which the international community cannot compromise. In this connection, we would like to reiterate what we said last year in the Council's debate on Somalia. Finally, Mr. President, I should like to thank you for your initiative in convening this formal Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“I refer here to experiences that are related more to interpersonal conflicts, to problems of coexistence among different religions or races in the same city or territory, to experiences relating to participation in and the easing of tensions within a community, and to confidence-building among different peoples and groups, rather than among States. There is a great deal of experience available in these areas. Using it is the challenge facing the Council. Those who still refuse to participate in the peace process must understand that they have a unique opportunity today: to let it be known what type of society they desire.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“The Charter of the United Nations emphasizes the role of preventive diplomacy in reaching an agreement among the parties to a conflict. The drafters of the Charter understood that the parties to the conflict would normally be nation-States - in other words, these would be inter-State conflicts. However, the reality today is that most conflicts that appear on the agenda of the Security Council, such as the one in Somalia, are domestic, and are more like civil wars than conflicts between nations. We have found that, as a result, the instruments of traditional diplomacy are not as effective in such situations. We believe that in the future the Security Council, in order to be truly modern and contemporary, will increasingly have to resort to other sources of experience in settling conflicts.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“What is important is for the Somalis to be able to coexist peacefully among themselves and with their neighbours by means of a legitimate democratic political organization. The structures of such an organization must correspond to the characteristics and interests of the Somalis themselves. Whether they wish a centralized government, or one with limited central power, a confederation or a system of clans and subclans, this is a domestic matter that they should be able to resolve among themselves. In other words, the international community is not necessarily pushing a classically Western state model. In describing possible political organization alternatives, I should like to emphasize a limitation that we believe the United Nations system has in tackling conflicts such as Somalia in a structural way.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“Once again, however, infighting among the leaders stood in the way of a stable United Nations presence, causing a peace mission to be aborted, and the country was left to its own devices. Once again, we find that the leaders of certain factions are refusing to cooperate in the search for a joint solution. But they are, as always, leading a comfortable existence, while the people who live in the territories that they control are suffering the consequences of their leaders' political intransigence. The leaders' recalcitrant attitude seems to say "Somalia as a country interests me only if I can control it." The Somalis themselves must determine how to resolve their internal problems.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“On this occasion they should also heed the voice of the international community, which is willing to support that peace. Looking at this in historical terms, the Somali political leadership was a victim of the cold war. It tried to play super- Power off against super-Power, switching alliances and loyalties and ultimately finding itself with a destroyed and underdeveloped country in which few took notice at the international level. In playing cold-war roulette, the country was bankrupted. Despite the indifference of many, the international community took action. It decided to help restore a degree of order and in particular to avert a massive humanitarian tragedy. The Security Council approved the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), and the humanitarian community set out to alleviate the crisis.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“These are positive signs that we did not have before us a year ago. We must reiterate that responsibility in the search for a solution to the political crisis in Somalia rests with Somalis themselves, and particularly with the leaders of the various factions. Most of these leaders are trying to find a way to resolve the situation in their country and are taking steps in that direction with the assistance of friendly countries. However, there are still some who are recalcitrant. Some political leaders are unable to go beyond their personal interests and quest for power to subjugate themselves to the interests of the people whom they claim to represent. These very few leaders should heed the voice of their people, who seek peace and reconciliation.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“From Europe, Italy has for a long time been concerned about the situation in Somalia, and the work of its representative in Mogadishu has had its successes. For all these reasons, we would like to pay tribute to the Governments of Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt and Italy and to the League of Arab States and the European Union. We should include the efforts of the Organization of African Unity and the Organization of the Islamic Conference among those that have been carried out by the international community to promote the future of the Somali people. We also underscore the work carried out by the Secretary-General and by the United Nations Political Office for Somalia in Nairobi. But above all we congratulate those in Somalia who have decided to work together to ensure that Somalia will again become a respected nation at peace.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“At that time the tone of the statements was generally one of pessimism and uncertainty. However, beginning at the end of last year we began to receive somewhat more encouraging news. A process of consultations which began in Nairobi and continued in Sodere has been bearing fruit. The Sodere declarations of January 1997 established the National Salvation Council. If all goes well, there will be a conference on Somali national reconciliation in June. This entire process is obviously affected by the reluctance of two leaders, Mr. Hussein Aidid and Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, to join it. Despite this, the members of the National Salvation Council met recently in Cairo with representatives of the League of Arab States, which stands ready to help in convening the June conference.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“Mr. Somavia (Chile) (interpretation from Spanish): There has been an empty seat in the General Assembly for several years, the seat of Somalia. The people of Somalia is not represented and cannot make its voice heard in the United Nations system due to the failure of its leaders to agree. This is also the reason why it is not present at this debate. This situation reflects what is occurring on the ground itself. Somalia is a country divided into factions in which not even the United Nations can keep a resident office and in which humanitarian agencies frequently face serious problems in carrying out their assistance programmes. These, as we all know, include their personnel being the victims of incidents and violence. A little over a year ago, in March 1996, we were meeting in this Chamber in an open debate on the situation in Somalia.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“Alioune Blondin Beye; as well as the Governments of Portugal, the United States and the Russian Federation for their mediation efforts; the entire United Nations system; the humanitarian agencies on the ground; and, in particular, the long-suffering people of Angola, who are now seeing a new dawn.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“We fully support the idea that the activities of the future United Nations observer mission in Angola should focus mainly on pending military issues, political matters, the police, human rights, humanitarian programmes and support for the process of national reconciliation. However, it is also important to include the objectives of economic and social development, to which the United Nations could contribute in this delicate process. Finally, allow me to thank all the men and women who have participated in UNAVEM. for the very valuable work that they have done in support of peace in Angola. We should like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Arman; his predecessor, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali; and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“Of course, a general appeal is made to international community, and, in particular, consolidated humanitarian appeals are made in support of the country. But there is no regular follow-up of developments in the country that was the subject of such great political attention in the Security Council - in this Chamber. Instead, ad hoc groups are set up to follow the situation in the country. I believe that we need to think about this matter. Perhaps the Economic and Social Council could have the task of taking on countries emerging from a crisis, once they are off the Security Council's agenda, accompanying them as they go through their new phase, coordinating in an appropriate manner the support of the international community and, above all, keeping political interest in the issues alive.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to try to ensure that the United Nations observer mission in Angola proposed by the Secretary-General will cooperate with the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation in these matters, so as to ensure a smooth and safe transition. However, if all goes well in the near future, Angola will cease to be an item on the agenda of the Security Council, although it will not cease to be in our minds or lose the support of the United Nations system. However, there is always a danger: in other cases we have seen how, once a crisis is over, agreements have been reached and peace restored, international political interest in the next phase - that of development and national reconciliation - quickly falls off. It is as if the Security Council were saying, "Goodbye and good luck. All the best".”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“III for the last time, and will express its intention to consider the continuation of the United Nations presence in Angola following the withdrawal of UNAVEM. III by sending an observer mission. With regard to Angola's present situation, we should like to note that the delegation of Chile has on numerous occasions reiterated its concern over what happens after peacekeeping operations come to an end - precisely the time at which the great challenges of consolidating peace and starting on the road to reconstruction, economic and social development and reconciliation arise.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“Let peace begin with peace in the hearts of the leaders. For this to happen Mr. Savimbi would personally have to join in the political dialogue at the highest level. The future lies in the hands of the people of Angola. However, the Angolan people, their Government of Unity and National Reconciliation and the many friends of Angola must remain vigilant, and ensure that the international community does not leave them alone on the new path that they are treading. The United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM. III) is concluding one phase, but the United Nations must continue to support the consolidation of the peace process. For all these reasons, my delegation will support the draft resolution through which the Security Council will extend the mandate of UNAVEM.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“We believe that it is essential that the new Government of Angola, headed by President Dos Santos, should strengthen its internal ties. National reconciliation - and many countries know through experience the difficulties and complexities of this - is the priority task and perhaps the most crucial in the long run. This will be the main source of stability in the future, but it is also the most difficult. It takes time to bury hatred; it takes time to forgive others; it takes time to acknowledge one's own mistakes. That is why close cooperation between President Dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi seems so indispensable. This is the time to build everlasting bonds of mutual trust between them and between their teams. The image of unity, and actual unity, is the best gift that both can give to their people.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to address the representative of Angola, who is here in the Council Chamber, and to tell him that we congratulate him on his new status as representative of the new Government of Unity and National Reconciliation of Angola. From now on, through the will of the parties, he and his delegation are representing at the United Nations all of the people of Angola. We wish him every success in this new phase. The Secretary-General has noted that it will take a long time to do the great deal that remains to be done in Angola, starting with the completion of pending issues of the Lusaka Protocol. We should not let the success of the past few weeks blind us to the difficulties which still exist.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“Mr. Somavia (Chile) (interpretation from Spanish): The inauguration of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation in Angola is an historic milestone that the Government of Chile welcomes, together with the entire international community. We must recognize that on those occasions when the parties did not take the necessary steps called for by the international community, we often felt that frustration was dominating over good wishes. But finally expectations have been met, and we would like to congratulate all Angolans on this major step. They are the winners. It is the people of Angola who are triumphant, and this should now give them the strength needed to embark on a new phase in their history - that of development, progress and reconciliation.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3769 (1997) · source
“Finally, we appeal to all the leaders of the Afghan factions to cooperate in good faith pragmatically and flexibly with the Special Mission and to support the initiatives urged by the United Nations to put an end to this fratricidal war and to inaugurate without delay an era of peace and reconstruction for good of their people.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“This is not a matter we consider negotiable for the sake of a political agreement. Peace is not only the end of hostilities and a stable distribution of political power. Peace is also a society living in peace, where all citizens can enjoy their fundamental human rights and feel safe in their lives, customs and property. In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the humanitarian-assistance organizations for their valuable work. We would also like firmly to reject and condemn those who have tried to prevent them from doing their work now and in the past.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“Accordingly, we would like these practices to be re-examined. The Government of Chile considers that the recommendations to overcome this situation contained in the report of the Special Rapporteur should be put into practice, particularly the appeal for the United Nations to speak with one unified voice on all questions of gender equality. But why am I talking at such great length about women in a Security Council debate? Because Chile and many other countries in the world do not want to see the rights of women sacrificed on the altar of peace. This is what we wish to prevent by calling attention to the matter today. We do not want this Council, or the United Nations, to look the other way if a political agreement is achieved that would allow women to be subjected to the practices that we are condemning today.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“Paragraph 73 of the Special Rapporteur's report indicates that prohibition against women working has had a significant impact on the work of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations that employ a large number of women. He draws attention in paragraph 82 of his report to the feminization of poverty, which results from the current marginalization of women. Those of us who do not profess the Islamic faith, but have great respect for it, cannot understand how this deplorable treatment of women can be justified by religious reasons. There are many Muslim countries that follow different policies. We should also like to emphasize that there is an international system for protection of human rights, which must be respected. The 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights made it clear that the rights of women are human rights.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“It is a real and deep concern of a significant number of Member States of the United Nations, as was clearly demonstrated in last week's discussions in the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. The same holds for many sectors of civil society. For his part, Mr. Choong Hyun Paik, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, reported to the Commission on Human Rights that the Taliban policy has resulted in serious violations of human rights, particularly those of women, who have been prohibited from working or attending school. The Special Rapporteur has reported that they have been severely beaten with various objects, such as car antennas, chains and hoses, for not complying with the dress code that has been imposed.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“We reiterate the objections that we have raised about the trampling of human rights, whether they be caused by the Taliban or by any other Afghan group. Nothing justifies the restrictions on the access of women to education and employment. We also encourage the factions to take measures without delay that will make it possible for refugees and displaced persons to return to their communities of origin. We know very well that respect for the various ethnic and religious groups is an indispensable basis for peace. Allow me to address specifically the situation of women, and particularly in the territories occupied by the Taliban. First and foremost, I wish to point out that this is not merely an obsession of some sectors of the Western press.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“We hope that in the future this reality will not impede the negotiating process and will not make it more difficult for the good offices and constructive dialogue encouraged by the United Nations to be successful. The supply of arms to the factions and the utilization of Afghan territory for illicit activities such as terrorism and drug trafficking are very negative manifestations of such interference. This situation points up the urgency of putting an end to interference. We appeal to all the countries involved to cooperate with the United Nations to ensure that the Afghan crisis will not spread and threaten stability in the region. While we firmly encourage the continuation of political activities aimed at achieving peace, we cannot hide our concern about the humanitarian problems that still persist.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“The current state of law and international relations seems, therefore, to be either an implicit or an indirect stimulus to solutions by force, except for the possible use of sanctions, the effectiveness of which is very questionable. This perverse logic results, moreover, in increased internationalization of conflicts, because in today's world no faction gets involved in a civil war without external support. This is certainly the situation in Afghanistan. We are sorry to have to reiterate today the concerns that were already expressed by my delegation on previous occasions in connection with continued foreign interference in internal Afghan affairs.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“For example, and very sadly, it would not seem strange to anyone that if one of the factions were finally able to prevail by force and conquer all Afghan territory, its delegate would then represent Afghanistan at the United Nations. If this is contemporary political reality, it should come as no surprise that the factions are reluctant to negotiate and seek peaceful solutions. They all know that military victory would be more advantageous domestically than a negotiated peace. Today, either solution is equally acceptable to the international community. There is no incentive from the international community to choose a political solution over one imposed by force. This being the case, a military victory makes it easier to consolidate domestic power and cause no loss of international recognition.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“This Council and the Secretary-General's team have made wise proposals that provide a foundation for a peaceful political solution to the conflict. We urge the leaders to move ahead in this direction. Those who continue to prefer a military solution to the conflict are deceiving themselves, and this will do nothing but prolong the suffering of their own people. Worse yet, it would appear that the parties are getting ready to resume armed operations of greater magnitude once the winter snows have melted. They are preparing for a violent spring. We, like others, would like to see a springtime of peace. However, this recourse to arms is occurring in part because the international community, despite all its speeches and treaties, continues to recognize the use of force as a source of international legitimacy.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“Agreement on a lasting cease-fire is essential as an immediate preliminary task in order to create conditions which will make it possible for there to be progress in the peace negotiations. However, this is not happening. The leaders are not agreeing. It is always painful to note the indifference of leaders at the suffering of their own followers and the peoples that they claim to represent in the conflicts before the Security Council. We are again encountering this situation in Afghanistan. The conflict continues and is deepening, to the cost of the most unprotected. It is always the leaders who suffer the least. It is always the leaders who escape shortages. Hardly ever are their lives at risk.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“We think that it is necessary that a concrete plan should be established as soon as possible as a result of these meetings to allow for the formation of a broad- based government in which all sectors are represented. Similarly, the meeting at which broad consultations were held among some interested States by the Secretary- General at Headquarters last November was another important event. We consider it to be very positive that such consultations will continue at the meeting scheduled for this week. We would also like to reiterate our belief that it is only through negotiations and political dialogue that a lasting solution can be found to this long-running conflict.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“Mr. Somavia (Chile) (interpretation from Spanish): We would like today to express our appreciation and full support for the active work carried out in recent months by the Head of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, Mr. Norbert H011, and by his entire team representing the Secretary-General. They have the difficult and complex task of trying to turn the international community's aspirations for peace into concrete fact on the ground. We congratulate them on their determination and we understand the obstacles they face. My delegation attaches great importance to the series of meetings of the Intra-Afghan Working Group, in which representatives of the Taliban and the Supreme Council for the Defence of Afghanistan participated for the first time.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“We would once again like to congratulate all those who have made this process possible, in particular the leaders and the people of Liberia, on the present state of affairs.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“As for the Security Council, we must ensure a fluid link between the responsibilities of the Council - which, if everything continues as we are now seeing in Liberia, will come to an end in the near future - and the transition towards support for cooperation for development, which, in the final analysis, is the only stable source of peace, as it reduces poverty, generates employment and brings about reconciliation after such a terrible conflict. It is our responsibility to ensure that link between the peace and security stage and the stage of furthering development. For all the reasons we have described, my delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution before the Council, which will extend the mandate of UNOMIL to 30 June 1997.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“In this framework, we must therefore begin the transition towards the point when Liberia can stabilize the political and security situation with a Government that enjoys internal and external legitimacy. This means that the United Nations system, the Bretton Woods institutions and the donor countries must give high priority to Liberia in order to promote the economic and social development of the country.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“However, I also believe that from the perspective of the international community - which has attached so much importance to reducing the impact of anti-personnel mines - this is an example of how problems of this nature can be resolved when the resources to do so exist. Lastly, I would like to thank and congratulate the Secretary-General, his Special Representative, and the personnel of UNOMIL, ECOWAS and ECOMOG for the role they have played and continue to play in Liberia. A few months ago, in 1996, we were witnessing a situation in that country which seemed impossible to resolve. However, we now see that the Liberians have gotten down to serious work for their future. We wish them every success, and congratulate them on what they are doing.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“Moreover, there is a delay in the formation of the new independent Election Commission and the re-established Supreme Court. It is legitimate to wonder whether there will be sufficient time for the elections to be held on the scheduled date. Nonetheless, it is extraordinarily important that those elections be held as scheduled. We have recently received more good news. The Force Commander of ECOMOG has reported that the territory of Liberia has been cleansed of landmines. This will make it possible for people to move about the country without the fear of mines in their path. This should facilitate the return of refugees who want to participate in the electoral process.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“These facts are quite indicative of the fact that the Liberian crisis is beginning to be resolved in a positive way. In other words, the prevailing conditions in Liberia could provide a reasonable basis for organizing and holding the elections which are planned for 30 May. This, as we were told by the representative of Liberia in his statement, is a possible basis for the rebirth of the Liberian nation. In spite of all this, there are a few matters which concern us and of which the international community will have to be watchful. First, one third of the combatants have yet to be disarmed. This is a disquieting factor and one which we hope will not have a negative impact on the process. Secondly, the time remaining before the elections is undoubtedly extremely short.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“I therefore really do not want to miss this opportunity to highlight the good things that are happening. Relative peace has continued to prevail throughout the country. There have been noteworthy achievements in the disarmament process. The personnel of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) will soon be deployed in the two counties in which they are not yet deployed. The civilian population is gradually gaining confidence. A revitalization of civil society and of the political parties is taking place. The human rights community continues to gain strength and to make its presence felt in the country's political and social spheres. The humanitarian community continues to broaden its operations in the interior of Liberia and is increasing its access to the population in those regions.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“Mr. Somavia (Chile) (interpretation from Spanish): I would like to welcome to the Security Council Ambassador Bull of Liberia, who is here under circumstances that are much more positive than those that existed in the past. After much tragedy in its terrible history of the past seven years this is a time of hope for Liberia. The peace process is entering its final stage with the beginning of the electoral process. As we have been told by the Secretary- General, certain very positive factors are currently emerging in Liberia that were unimaginable only months ago, which gives us serious hope that Liberia can embark on a peaceful electoral process in an acceptable security situation. I wish to mention some of those factors. In the past we have described in great detail the problems that Liberia has confronted.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“Above all, it is necessary to restore the high-minded spirit and the conviction that only dialogue and negotiation, not unilateral actions, provide long-term security for all. We must continue forward with the process of implementing the peace agreements and secure compliance with the resolutions of the Council on this matter. In conclusion, there are already too many standing in the shadows and trying to block peace for other, central actors to lose the spirit that made the first agreement possible and thus weaken the spirit of Oslo. Now is a time when political courage will once again show the quality of leaders. Now is a time to dare to write history, not to allow oneself to be carried away by extreme positions of groups that, though they are influential, are a minority. Chile trusts that good judgement and common sense will prevail.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“What we want are negotiations and direct agreements between the parties that would make it unnecessary to hold such meetings, time and time again in the future. For this reason, we appeal for calm and for the parties to refrain from any act of violence that might make matters even worse. Naturally, we also make a special appeal to Israel to reconsider its decision. We believe that the parties should do everything possible to advanceÂ» dialogue in a framework of respect for agreements reached and for' the special sensitivities in connection with Jerusalem. The peace process, which has already come along way, should not be halted. It is necessary to reverse the measure that has given rise to this latest dispute, and Chile is prepared to support a Security Council draft resolution in that connection.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source