YouSaid · the spoken record

Spatafora

lines on the record: 452
first: 2003-07-03
most recent: 2008-07-30
sittings or episodes: 70
sources: un-security-council

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“I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate and once again bringing to our attention an issue that is and must remain, as the Secretary-General said to us last November in vibrant and powerful words, "an absolute priority" (S/PV.578], p. 2) for the Security Council and for Member States. Italy fully associates itself with the statement to be delivered later by the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union. I will just add a few remarks. We warmly welcome the statement of Under- Secretary-General Holmes and his extremely focused and action-oriented approach. He has offered us, I would say, a really outstanding, very disturbing, frustrating and almost appalling briefing. We all know and welcome the progress made by the Security Council on this issue as recalled by Mr. Holmes.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Here, I fully endorse what was said in particular by the Minister of Defence of South Africa, as well as by my colleague from Costa Rica. In the months to come, we will have to review the Peacebuilding Fund's terms of reference in the light of past experience. It is our hope that the review will be conducive to making the Fund more effective and more consonant with the need for immediate intervention implicit in the original conception, and above all to strengthening the catalysing function of intervention financed by other donors, so that resources are not distributed haphazardly and indiscriminately.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“In most cases, at least one year goes by between the end of hostilities and the beginning of appropriation from the trust fund created for the reconstruction of a country, apart from the most urgent humanitarian interventions. That is too much time, considering the urgency of the needs and the broad array of actions needed. More rapid and flexible financing mechanisms are required to address that crucial initial phase. I will not repeat what has been said by Mr. Brahimi, the Deputy Minister of Belgium and others on that issue. The obvious choice would be to strengthen and give greater centrality to an existing instrument - the Peacebuilding Fund - rather than to create new mechanisms that risk making intervention even more complex.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“The goal is to foster greater coordination among the various United Nations system bodies and other stakeholders - such as donors, international financial institutions, regional organizations, the private sector and civil society - in such a way as to address post-conflict needs, starting on day one after the cessation of hostilities. A good start would be to launch, for example, a database and to create a network between organizations that are already active in the area. Allow me to make a final consideration. Populations tormented by conflicts need concrete and immediate dividends on the ground that can provide relief for suffering and foster the gradual return of a secure, socially organized life governed by the rule of law and sustained by economic prospects.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“To that end, it is essential to adequately structure and update professional training, on which Italy has focused in the framework of the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units and through its hosting of various United Nations and national institutes dedicated to the training of peacekeeping and peacebuilding professionals. Italy supports the United Nations central role in peacebuilding. We thus hope that the development of the international community's intervention capacities will be accompanied by a more incisive United Nations role, particularly through the strengthening of the functions of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, as has been said by others.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Such a capacity could be modelled on the standing police capacity, which would benefit from an increase in staff. We believe that the international community should collaborate on the formation of a nucleus of rapidly deployable civilian peacekeepers, who would partner with local authorities - who would be at the core of the effort - to draft a civil and economic reconstruction strategy in every area and lay the foundations for the work of the peacekeeping operation. Interested Member States could contribute by establishing inter-ministerial teams of peacebuilding specialists, including non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society. At the same time, we need to strengthen the civilian component of peacekeeping missions and better integrate the military and civilian instruments.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“In the crucial phase immediately after the cessation of a conflict and before the deployment of a peacekeeping mission, there is still no established intervention mechanism that can lay the foundations for reconstruction and assistance to national authorities. Italy is a firm supporter of developing greater rapid-deployment civilian capacities at the United Nations. We support a strong rule of law standing capacity, consisting of experts in areas crucial to the success of a stabilization action, especially juries, judges, administrators and political advisers. However, with respect to that issue, we must of course keep clearly in mind what Mr. Brahimi has told us and the caveats that he has put forward, which I will not repeat.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“What we want to have today is, I think, a wake- up call, as was said so eloquently by Minister Bangura. We have also heard a very strong wake-up call from Mr. Brahimi - a distillate of operational and political wisdom, a backdrop that we have to keep in mind in our decisions. I would go further and say that, if we do not have the caveats that were so eloquently highlighted by Mr. Brahimi clear in our minds and in our behaviour on the ground, we will certainly be heading towards failure or, at best, ineffectiveness and irrelevance. Italy fully associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union, so allow me to make just a few additional remarks.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Through you, Sir, may I offer a very sincere welcome and express my strong appreciation to Mr. Miliband for his presence here. I must say that his presence here is intended to flag the fact that today is not business as usual. This is a very special debate, and we are grateful to the United Kingdom Government for the political vision that is behind it. Listening to the statements that have been made so far, I would say that, at the end of the day, what is at stake here is how to make the Council, and through it the Organization and the other stakeholders in the private sector and civil society, more relevant on the ground so as to make a difference and offer a concrete horizon of hope to people who have suffered and are suffering, as recalled by you, Sir.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Spirie, when he said "Building the rule of law is the only guarantee that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a reliable partner for the international community." That is the central point.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“I wish to stress once again that now that signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement has been given the green light, a positive assessment of the overall situation by the Peace Implementation Council seems closer. In the past six months there have been moments of growing political tension and divisive confrontation followed by phases of constructive and fruitful dialogue that have produced excellent results, as I have outlined above and as we have heard this morning. I hope that the virtues of dialogue and compromise will prevail in the upcoming months to benefit not only the political forces but especially of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would like to conclude by recalling a vision that was put forward by the Chairman, Mr.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“At the same time, we remain convinced that the principle of ownership must be upheld and that it must produce tangible results when the situation on the ground is right. The reform process can be kept on track, we believe, through accurate management and effective synergies between local authorities and political forces on one hand, and the international community on the other. Decisive progress can be achieved in the next few months on the five objectives and the two conditions that the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board has identified for the transition of the Office of the High Representative to the European Union Special Representative.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving steadily in the right direction, and the international community has contributed to consolidating this process. But despite all this important progress, many concerns still need to be addressed. And the Chairman was very clear on this. Tensions continue to flair periodically, and the political forces have questioned the arrangements of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Constitutional reform is a priority for the establishment of a functional State in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it does not seem to at hand, at least according to what we have heard. The closure of the Office of the High Representative and the transition towards the European Union Special Representative phase were postponed. As a Peace Implementation Council Steering Board member, Italy joined in that decision, which we believed was wise.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“While some had feared the impact that Kosovo's declaration of independence would have on Bosnia and Herzegovina's political and institutional architecture, Sarajevo has achieved landmark results in this period. The parties have reached an agreement on political reform, as has been recalled, and a Stabilization and Association Agreement has been initialled and will soon be signed, showing once again that the European Union accession process is our best tool for generating yet more progress. The NATO summit in Bucharest launched the intensified dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the lead-up to the membership action plan. And last but not least, a fruitful compromise has been reached on the delicate issue of municipal elections in Srebrenica, for which I wish once again to commend the brokering role of High Representative Lajcak.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Despite the many and very relevant difficulties highlighted so eloquently in the report of High Representative Lajcak * especially in the second and third parts, regarding where we are and the challenges ahead - as well as in the statement by Chairman Spirie, the country is moving ahead. Peaceful and constructive coexistence and interaction among all the components of Bosnia and Herzegovina society have been strengthened. In a nutshell, I would say that, as highlighted by Ambassador Laj cak, "the situation has improved noticeably" and "The country has taken a significant step towards the stabilization of the political situation." These are two points that form the backdrop against which we have to move.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“First of all, let me welcome the High Representative, Ambassador Lajcak, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Spirie. Let me also join others in thanking the High Representative for his very clear and focused report on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and let me express Italy's strong appreciation and strong support for his past and future efforts. Italy fully aligns itself with the statement to be delivered later by the Permanent Representative of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union. I would just like to add a few remarks, drawing on our national experience. There have indeed been significant developments during the time frame examined in the report.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Such visits prove the commitment of the Organization to the Iraqi people. It is our hope that the Mission can further develop a broader mandate, focusing also on technical support for the Iraqi authorities, particularly regarding budget execution. Helping Iraq unlock its own considerable resources remains a top priority for all of us. I would like to conclude by stressing that point, and I commend Special Representative De Mistura for what he is doing.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“The role of neighbouring countries in supporting the stabilization of Iraq could also be further enhanced by providing debt relief, in accordance with the Paris Club terms, and by contributing to the implementation of the International Compact with Iraq, also through the multilateral channel of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq. 08-3196] As I have said before, we appreciate the activities and progress of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. We continue to believe that the United Nations has a fundamental and central role to play in Iraq in supporting Iraqi ownership, and we welcome the high number of high-level visits paid by United Nations officials to Iraq in the past month, one of the most recent of which was that of Under-Secretary-General Pascoe just a few days ago, on which he briefed us.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“Those efforts must be encouraged and actively supported by the whole of the international community, and foremost by the countries of the region, whose positive engagement through the expanded neighbouring States process plays an essential role. We welcome, in that regard, the recent ministerial meeting that took place in Kuwait City on 22 April. I should like to reiterate here, as we did in Kuwait, Italy's strong commitment to its support for Iraq and its people in their aspiration to build a better future.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“We agree in that regard with the emphasis that the Secretary-General's report places on a rapid approval of a hydrocarbon law that defines the framework for the proper use of natural resources on a national basis. We would like to commend the Government of Iraq on the progress it has made in the political sector and on the steps it has taken towards national reconciliation. It is working in the right direction. Over the past year, the Government of Iraq has been making progress in its efforts to confront terrorism and militias. We appreciate the growing autonomy demonstrated by the Iraqi security forces and we encourage them to make further progress in that field.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“Italy shares the analysis of the Secretary-General in his most recent report to the effect that a sustainable stabilization of the security situation in Iraq can be successfully achieved only in the framework of a new social pact based on the inclusion in the political process of the broadest possible spectrum of representative parties and on the extension of rights and benefits without ethnic or religious discrimination. There are many challenges Iraq has to face on that path, as has been recalled by previous speakers, including such issues as the fair distribution of State revenues and the management of natural resources, the balance between central and provincial authorities, the disbanding of all militias, and the development of a reliable national police.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“Pascoe said, the United Nations reputation is growing, and I think it is very important to see that the United Nations credibility is growing. It is important in Iraq and, of course, elsewhere. The Organization's reputation and credibility are growing also because, as Under-Secretary-General Pascoe said, we have seen and are seeing an increased and enhanced role for the United Nations. That is what we wanted - an increased presence on the ground; an increased involvement of UNAMI in a number of issues that Mr. Pascoe mentioned; and facilitating, giving direction and consolidating the political and electoral processes.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“I join others in thanking Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Ambassador Khalilzad for their very clear, informative and focused briefings. We welcome Ambassador Al Bayati. I think his presence is very important to all of us. I wish to express our equally strong appreciation for the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/266) as well as warm and sincere thanks to Special Representative Staffan de Mistura and to the staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for the way in which they have been performing and for what they have been achieving in a very difficult, delicate and politically sensitive environment. Indeed, as Under-Secretary-General Pascoe said, we are proud of what they are doing and of how they are upholding the United Nations flag. As Mr.”
2008-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5878 (2008) · source
“Finally, we reiterate the importance of the continued presence of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for the stability of Lebanon. We encourage the Lebanese armed forces and the Israeli Defense Forces to consult with UNIFIL to find solutions to the problems on the ground and to continue efforts for the demarcation of the Blue Line. We took note with special attention of the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/135) and its recommendations which we support, in particular on what concerns a new mission of the Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“We hope that the upcoming Damascus summit will mark a turning point in the crisis. It is important, above all, to avoid any further deterioration of the security situation, which could lead to a very dangerous escalation of violence. The Lebanon crisis has to be resolved first and foremost through a mature assumption of responsibility by the Lebanese political forces. We are convinced, nevertheless, that action has to be taken at the regional level in an expanded strategy that takes into account the multiple actors involved, along with their aspirations. In this context, we are pleased with the progress made in the establishment of a special tribunal on the Hariri assassination and the financial support received thus far and the prospect of the tribunal actually beginning operating.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“It seriously weakens the credibility of the Palestinian leadership in the View of its public opinion while strengthening arguments of the extremists and enemies of peace. Finally, we express support for the monitoring role being played by the United States, in particular the convening on 14 March of the first trilateral meeting provided for by the Annapolis Conference. It is important for those meetings to become an instrument available to the parties to give greater depth to the dialogue. Now, just a few remarks on Lebanon. As are others, we, too, are deeply concerned by the lack of signs of progress towards a solution to the political crisis. Together with the European Union, we support the mediation initiative of the Arab League and the efforts of its Secretary-General.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“We also believe that the Palestinian Government efforts to strengthen its public security apparatus should be supported. Italy therefore supports the German initiative to convene a conference on rule of law and intends to contribute to the consolidation of the operative capacity of the Palestinian civil police through the European Union Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support and urges other countries to do the same. In this framework, Italy is particularly concerned about the Israeli Government position to continue building in East Jerusalem. We wish to reiterate that the building of settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, including in East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. The continuation of settlement activity in the occupied territory is currently a threat to the bilateral negotiations.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“Looking at the situation from the ground - and I think that more and more we have to look at it from that perspective - we believe that it is increasingly urgent to show the first dividend of the negotiations to the public opinions of the two parties and of the countries in the region. It is indispensable that measures be adopted rapidly to improve the lives of the Palestinian people by easing restrictions on their movements and removing checkpoints in the West Bank. It is essential that conditions be created to reinvigorate the Palestinian economy on the basis of the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan adopted by the Fayyad Government. To this end, we support the efforts of the Quartet representative, Tony Blair, and urge all donors to concretize the financial pledges they announced at the Paris Conference.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“I think that the questions that the Secretary-General asked truly capture what should be in all of our minds - If not now, when? If not this, what? I think that these are the questions that the players should keep in mind at all times. As has already been mentioned by the Secretary- General, negotiations are the only way to achieve peace. In this regard, we emphasize once more the importance of the facilitating role played by the Arab States, and we welcome as well the support given by the Arab League to the good offices carried out by President Saleh of Yemen to reactivate the indispensable inter-Palestinian dialogue.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“At the outset, I also wish to express my very sincere appreciation for the presence here of the Secretary-General and for his thoughts and assessments. I think that it is a very important sign of the commitment of the United Nations as part of the Quartet. I also thank Under- Secretary-General Pascoe for his very comprehensive, as always, briefing that gives us the feeling of where we are. Italy fully aligns itself with the statement that will be delivered shortly by the Presidency of the European Union. Let me just add a few remarks. We strongly support the effort that President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert have undertaken to move the bilateral negotiations forward despite the difficulties of a fragile political context and the highly volatile situation on the ground.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“Finally, we are pleased with the focus of the United Nations on some crucial horizontal issues, namely, the protection of civilians, children and armed conflict, women and peace and security. It is now the duty of the entire international community to translate the resolution into concrete support for UNAMA, in particular for the efforts of the newly appointed Special 08-27820 Representative of the Secretary-General. I am confident that he will receive from all Member States and from the Headquarters of the United Nations the necessary resources and political support to fulfil his daunting task.”
2008-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5857 (2008) · source
“In fact, not only are we extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a further 12 months, we are also offering the Mission clear guidance on the priorities to take forward within the mandate in the coming months: enhanced coordination of, and leadership on, international efforts; strengthened cooperation with the International Security Assistance Force; political outreach; national reconciliation; governance; humanitarian assistance; the promotion of human rights; elections; and regional cooperation. The resolution also highlights what we have perceived as the main feature of the 12 March debate: the need for all the activities of the Mission and of the international community at large to be guided by the overarching principle of reinforcing Afghan ownership and leadership.”
2008-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5857 (2008) · source
“I wish to briefly take the floor in order to thank all delegations for their very constructive, flexible and strong support during the consultations on this resolution, as well as to express our full satisfaction with the outcome. Once again, the Council is rallying strongly and united behind one of the most important missions of the United Nations. We are convinced that this text meets all the expectations expressed in the report (S/2008/159) of the Secretary-General and in the briefing by Under- Secretary-General Guehenno on 12 March. The Secretary-General recommended that the Mission's mandate be sharpened. Indeed, the resolution was conceived and discussed in that spirit.”
2008-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5857 (2008) · source
“In this spirit Italy has sought to strengthen its collaboration with various countries and regional stakeholders by providing counter-terrorism technical assistance, in cooperation with partners such as the African Centre for Study and Research on Terrorism, in the IGAD Capacity-building Programme against Terrorism in Africa and, in Asia, the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter- Terrorism and the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation. With the Council's renewal of the CTED mandate, Italy will continue to assure its concrete support to all its efforts, while not neglecting the wider counter-terrorism efforts that take place in the context of the Global Strategy, to ensure overall concrete results, to save lives, and to support the victims of terrorism.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“CTED has to respect the limits of its mandate as set by Security Council resolutions. However, within that mandate, we feel that CTED - and I repeat this - is in the best position to grasp all opportunities that the Strategy may create to counter terrorism in an effective and sustainable way. Finally, Italy reaffirms its conviction that international terrorism can be fought more adequately through effective cooperation by the international community, as foreseen and repeated and enhanced in the organizational plan for CTED, in paragraph 2 (c) (S/2008/80, enclosure), and as so clearly delivered in all the statements by Mr. Smith.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“In future, the Council should also consider whether the time has come to create a unique support structure to replace the three groups of experts. That, under the Council's strategic direction, could help the actions of these committees. Such a move would enable a truly comprehensive approach, particularly to the dialogue with Member States not on the Council. It would also lend strength to the call for the whole system to take the coherent approach that is at the foundation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Third, the Global Strategy encompasses a more extensive set of actions to counter terrorism than those included in resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) and calls for all Member States, United Nations entities and other international organizations to act coherently.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“Smith has said about the two smaller units - one on communications and outreach - is really what is needed. I will not repeat what Ambassador Kafando, Ambassador Ripert and Ambassador Verbeke have said about the importance of communications and outreach to the membership. The second point, concerning the need for the Council's three counter-terrorism committees to cooperate with each other, has been stated repeatedly over many years, but evidently those committees still have to make progress in this area. We look forward to the Council's guidance in this matter. Too often old practices and procedures seem to count more that the objectives we want to achieve in this field. Italy would like that attitude to change.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“We wish to encourage him again to stay on his path. We confirm our solid support, as have all previous speakers, for the revised organizational plan that the CTC has recently endorsed. In view of the new resolution on CTED's mandate, which Italy is willing and ready to co-sponsor, let me highlight three points. First, we need to instil, in every possible manner, a truly cooperative spirit in the relationship between the CTC and CTED and the wider membership. We encourage the CTC to act on this message, also by revising its methods of work and its style of interaction with Member States and with the main international stakeholders in counter-terrorism. To that end, we would envisage having thematic discussions more frequently and in open formats. What Mr.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“We must be frank; CTED has limited resources and does not have a magic hand to allow States to implement resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) immediately, comprehensively and effectively. What it can do is to continue monitoring implementation of the resolution and enhance - and this is the point - its role in facilitating and encouraging technical assistance through an improved mechanism. The new Executive Director, Mr. Smith, has already undertaken very important action to fix the international problems within CTED. I will not repeat what colleagues have already said. The aim is to strengthen its ability to perform its multifaceted tasks, to communicate its activities more effectively to Member States and to integrate its action with all relevant actors within the framework of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“CTC and CTED continue to play a crucial role in the fight against international terrorism and in assisting Member States with the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). For many States, the task of concretely implementing resolution 1373 (2001) is still daunting. The donor community and recipient States need to cooperate actively if we are to have an efficient system for preventing terrorists from moving freely across international borders and for blocking their access to financial and economic resources, as well as weapons. In this area, CTED is in the best position to match the needs of many States with offers of assistance from other States and organizations.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“I join others in extending a very warm welcome to Mr. Smith, the Executive Director of Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and in expressing our very strong appreciation for his briefing, which was very comprehensive, crystal clear and quite focused. His statement, together with his suggested organizational plan for the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), which we strongly support, very clearly sets out the direction for the way forward. Italy aligns itself with the statement that Slovenia will soon make on behalf of the European Union, and recognizes the importance of today's debate, which reiterates the firm commitment of the Security Council to the fight against international terrorism - I would note the revitalized energy shown by previous speakers.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“We also believe that the resolution to be adopted should seriously address a number of horizontal issues included on the Council's agenda, namely, the protection of civilians, children in armed conflict and women, peace and security, all which are dramatically relevant in the case of Afghanistan. Our general discussions on these issues must be followed up when discussing country-specific mandates. I will conclude by reiterating Italy's unwavering commitment to assist our Afghan friends, as long as requested, in their endeavour to enjoy peace, stability and development after decades of conflict. I believe that our continued contributions, contributions dating from 2001, along with the sacrifice of our troops, validate such commitment more eloquently than any words.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“We are ready to work with Security Council members in order to translate into consensual language the well-advised recommendations of the Secretary- General, while carefully considering, at the same time, any additional suggestions. We are sure that the vision and the skills of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Eide, will be instrumental to effectively implement the refocused and prioritized mandate. Let me also reiterate once again that UNAMA needs from the international community not only clear guidance, but also all the political support and the resources required to fulfil its challenging tasks.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“Sometimes the developments on the ground appear to frustrate the requests and expectations expressed around this table, but this does not mean that the Council should shy away from fulfilling its role as enshrined in the Charter. It is our responsibility to give focused and clear guidance to UNAMA for it is in this area we can indeed make a difference. In this regard, we believe that the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General, in paragraphs 63 and 64, offer a unique opportunity to provide such guidance. Given the wide-ranging nature of the mandate, we agree that there is a need to further build on the indications contained in resolution 1746 (2007) in order to identify a number of priority actions for the UNAMA, as we were saying before.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“I will simply add that, against this background, it is certainly appropriate to organize a high-level, midterm review of the implementation of the Compact, in order to refocus and reprioritize our efforts. We are therefore ready to offer our contribution to the preparation of the international conference that France has so aptly and kindly offered to host. Similar events are instrumental in giving a fresh impetus to initiatives on the ground, as proven by the effective follow-up to last year's Rome Conference on Justice and Rule of Law in Afghanistan. We have noted with particular satisfaction, in this regard, the good news contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the launch of the National Justice Programme. Finally, I would like to address the fundamental question of the contribution to be provided by the Security Council.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“In our View, therefore, it should be further strengthened and enabled to fulfil its monitoring functions in accordance with the Afghanistan Compact. Such functions become all the more relevant as our common efforts to meet the benchmarks and timelines of the Compact face increasing challenges. The report of the Secretary-General and today's briefing forcefully describe the nature of the challenges in the areas of security, governance, electoral preparation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation, human rights protection, gender equality, humanitarian assistance and counter-narcotics. The European Union Presidency will address in detail our shared concerns in these areas.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“Our common commitment is nurtured by the legitimacy that only the United Nations can provide. 5 With this in mind, we cannot ask the United Nations to do more in terms of coordination, without a genuine commitment by every international actor to comply with the United Nations coordination role. It should also be clear that such an essential role must continue to go hand in hand with the continuous reinforcement, I repeat, of Afghan ownership and leadership in all sectors, ranging from security to the provision of services to the population. The Joint Coordinating and Monitoring Board (JCMB) embodies, as the Under- Secretary-General Guehenno has so appropriately emphasized, those guiding principles by its very nature and composition.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“The international community must trust the good faith of the Afghan authorities, and the Afghan authorities, on their part, must trust the genuine and unbiased commitment of its partners. Such background of trust must be maintained, even when it is felt by either side that mistakes are made. These misperceptions - because this is what it is all about; perceptions and misperceptions - cannot infringe on the commonality of our strategic goals; they can be corrected through dialogue and mutual understanding. The scary alternative would be the unravelling of our partnership and the success of our common enemies. We remain convinced that the United Nations must continue to determinedly play its irreplaceable role as guarantor of our partnership and mutual trust.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“The main message that we can draw from the Secretary-General's report is that the international community needs to stay the course in Afghanistan, possibly with evolving modalities but certainly with unchanged determination. That is what our Afghan friends are asking for. The enemies of peace and stability have shown that they are ready to exploit any sign of weakness and fill all gaps that might be created. We pay tribute once again to the victims of all nationalities caused by the senseless violence that Afghanistan is enduring. Such a death toll can not be tolerated and must be stopped. The mutual trust between Afghanistan and its partners is indispensable if we are to counter the opposition forces.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“64) It has to be clear for all of us that the strengthening of the leadership and the ownership of the Afghan Government is at stake. We will proceed by giving the utmost consideration to all the views that will be expressed during this debate. First of all, we have noted the Secretary-General's report and how Under-Secretary-General Guehenno has said very clearly that the mandate is appropriate and sufficiently broad and that it has to be sharpened. I think that we must do exactly that, keeping in mind the six areas highlighted in the Secretary-General's report. Italy fully aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the Permanent Representative of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union. I will only add a few complementary comments on the challenges that the Council is confronted with.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source