YouSaid · the spoken record

Strammen

lines on the record
16
first
2003-02-06
most recent
2004-11-29
sittings or episodes
2
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

  1. “Discussions must also to the fullest extent possible safeguard the human, minority and civil rights of all inhabitants of Kosovo. Norway will continue its support for the Special Representative's agenda for development and stability in Kosovo.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  2. “The international community can help, but respect for the inalienable right to security can derive only from a more widespread mentality of respect and tolerance among the inhabitants of Kosovo. In that regard, it is important to once again emphasize the responsibility of all political leaders, elected officials and civil servants at both the municipal and Kosovo-wide levels. The Provisional Institutions of Self-Government must ensure that the human and civil rights and legitimate interests of all communities are taken seriously and addressed in a manner compatible with European standards. Preparations must commence for a discussion of Kosovo's future status. As Ambassador Eide has pointed out, there will never be an ideal time for discussions on status. Discussions will be difficult. It will be vital to include Belgrade in that process.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  3. “Democracy and multi-ethnicity cannot be achieved until all communities in Kosovo feel that their rights, aspirations and concerns are fully respected and adequately addressed by their neighbours and Kosovo institutions. Kosovo continues to suffer from a deficit of mutual trust and respect between communities. That is perhaps the predominant challenge facing Kosovo today. Authorities and political leaders in Kosovo must publicly demonstrate their commitment to the security of all inhabitants of Kosovo, irrespective of nationality. Sustainable security for all communities in Kosovo is first and foremost the responsibility of Kosovar political leaders.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  4. “The fact that the elections were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner gives rise to optimism. However, we regret the very low turnout of Serb voters in those elections. We believe that such non- participation is detrimental to the best long-term interests of the Serbian community in Kosovo. Self- isolation will not bring any benefit, but only exacerbate the challenges facing all those who are committed to a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo. We trust that the new cabinet, when it has been constituted, will work together with UNMIK, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and others to implement European standards and resolution 1244 (1999) in Kosovo. We take it for granted that the new Government will be a Government for all inhabitants, whatever their ethnic background.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  5. “Serb participation in the political and administrative life of Kosovo is important if Kosovo is to be truly multi-ethnic. The Kosovo Albanian political leadership should take the lead in supporting local community reconciliation. It should actively promote public policies, such as local administration reform, that involve, empower and benefit all communities. Such policies will also indirectly foster an environment of security. It is vital that the legitimate interests of all communities in Kosovo be taken duly into account. First and foremost, all inhabitants must be ensured full respect for their human and civil rights. That includes the security of individuals and communities alike. Norway commends the Kosovo Central Elections Commission and its staff on the well-organized Assembly elections that were held on 23 October.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  6. “At the same time, Norway also fully concurs with the Secretary-General's recommendation that there be a greater degree of accountability on the part of the Kosovo institutions. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) must maintain effective oversight and mechanisms for remedial action, should that be necessary. Stability in the western Balkans is of continued importance for Europe as a whole. It is therefore important that the Kosovo issue be dealt with in a way that does not lead to renewed violence or regional destabilization. While economic development is important for stability, so, too, is the need for a greater effort for inter-ethnic dialogue and reconciliation. Norway supports greater efforts to foster local initiatives for community-based inter-ethnic dialogue and reconciliation.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  7. “Let me start by thanking Special Representative Seren Jessen-Petersen for his very comprehensive briefing. Norway aligns itself with the statement made just a few moments ago by the Ambassador of the Netherlands on behalf of the European Union. In addition, I would like to make the following observations. The Secretary-General's report to the Security Council clarifies the challenges facing the Kosovars as well as the international community in Kosovo. Norway supports the continued efforts outlined in the report to implement European standards in Kosovo. The report underscores the need for setting priorities in the standards-implementation process, as well as for a more systematic programme of competence-building and transfer of responsibilities to local institutions. We fully support those recommendations.”

    2004-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5089 (2004) · source

  8. “While we note and appreciate the clear condemnations of violence by Prime Minister Rexhepi and certain municipal officials, the muted reaction of the majority of political leaders can only be described as both disappointing and unacceptable. On the question of the final status of Kosovo, we have seen several initiatives lately, both from Belgrade and from Kosovo. Those initiatives are not helpful. They represent a distraction. They deflect attention from what we all should consider to be the main task at hand, namely, the realization of higher standards of government and society for the benefit of all the inhabitants of Kosovo. That was the main message of the Security Council mission to Kosovo and Belgrade last December.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  9. “Despite an overall improvement in the area of law and order, we have witnessed some worrying events in Kosovo in the first month of this year. The rocket- propelled grenade attack on UNMIK police headquarters and the recent spate of murders and assaults in several places in Kosovo undermine efforts to build law and order and represent a serious challenge to the international community, and not least to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government. This only underscores the tenuous state of the rule of law in Kosovo, and further highlights the importance of the benchmarks approach. We urge UNMIK and the Kosovo Police Service, as well as local political leaders, to do their utmost to strengthen the public's support and respect for law and order in Kosovo.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  10. “We strongly urge local political leaders from all communities, as well as the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, to make a strong effort to fulfil their existing mandates. Norway supports Special Representative Steiner's statement that more competences will be transferred, but on the condition that local institutions work more seriously. The decentralization of municipal responsibilities is a very important process. We are pleased to note that UNMIK, together with the Council of Europe, has initiated a process to build local ownership for a decentralization strategy. Consultation and collaboration with political leaders representing a cross-section of the communities in Kosovo is of fundamental importance in that respect. Nothing imposed from the outside will be sustainable in the long run.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  11. “A greater degree of local ownership of, and commitment to, the achievement of the benchmarks is a prerequisite for the ultimate successful implementation of European standards in Kosovo. The communities themselves also have a very critical responsibility in that regard. Local politicians in both the Assembly and the municipal assemblies have repeatedly asked for more power and for an accelerated transfer of greater responsibility. The attitude of local political leaders in that regard raises certain questions. They demand greater power and responsibility, but are at the same time not able to deal adequately with the power and responsibility that are already within their mandate.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  12. “Again, we would like to underline the importance of making yet greater efforts to involve local institutions and political leaders from all communities in the practical formulation and implementation of political goals and strategies. The further specification and implementation of the benchmarks must therefore be worked out in cooperation with local authorities. UNMIK must go the extra mile in order to secure that local ownership. But so, too, must local political leaders. Words must become action. The apparent reluctance on the part of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government to engage in that process is counter-productive and undermines the further democratization of Kosovo.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  13. “As a majority, Kosovo Albanians must take responsibility for the security of members of minorities and their full access to public services. At the same time, members of minorities must integrate into Kosovar society. Parallel institutions have no future; integration is the only way forward. Allow me to further elaborate on a few important issues also addressed in the presentation of the report. The formulation of benchmarks for the realization of standards is a constructive approach for Kosovo's further development into a democratic and multi-ethnic society. As reported, the progress achieved so far seems to have been driven, to a great extent, by the international community.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  14. “Kosovo is still a long way from having truly functioning democratic institutions and a society where minorities can fully participate. The situation remains fragile, and much work remains to be done, by UNMIK, the Kosovo institutions and local communities. That includes, in particular, the rule of law, combating organized crime, democratization, sustainable returns, inter-ethnic reconciliation and cooperation between Pristina and Belgrade. As regards the latter, the reluctance of some Kosovo Albanian leaders to engage directly with Belgrade officials exemplifies an isolationist tendency that is unrealistic in both the regional and the European perspectives. The establishment of the rule of law is central to achieving security, a functioning democracy and sustainable economic development.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  15. “Please allow me to reiterate the most important findings of that mission. The mission found notable progress in several areas as regards the implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). The elections held for the Kosovo Assembly in 2001 and for the municipalities in 2002 have led to the formation of Provisional Institutions of Self-Government and the new municipal assemblies. The process of handing over power and responsibility to local institutions continues. There is also progress in the area of the rule of law. Crime rates are down and security is improving. The Kosovo Police Service continues to increase in numbers, and the judiciary is in the process of being established, both of them as multi-ethnic bodies. However, despite that progress, many inadequacies remain, as detailed in the mission's report.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source

  16. “Let me start by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February. Norway would like to thank Special Representative Steiner for his briefing and the report (S/2003/113) on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) that has been presented to the Security Council. We would once again like to reiterate our full support for Mr. Steiner's work, and our appreciation for the efforts carried out by him, UNMIK and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in ensuring the implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). At the 4676th meeting of the Council, held on 19 December last year, Ambassador Kolby presented the report on the Security Council delegation's visit to Kosovo and Belgrade.”

    2003-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4702 (2003) · source