YouSaid · the spoken record

Stuart

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30

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2000-06-27

most recent

2002-04-15

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4

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un-security-council

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1. “More generally, the workshop will examine means of preventing terrorism and enhancing security through improved information flow and intelligence exchange. It will be the second in what is developing into a series of ASEAN Regional Forum workshops focused on achieving concrete and practical outcomes to improve security and regional cooperation in counter-terrorism. Australia strongly supports the work done in the United Nations to ensure that there is a broad international front against terrorism. As stressed by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard, when he addressed the Council on 30 January this year, in implementing the important resolutions recently agreed in New York, Australia is looking to the Council for an emphasis on action rather than on rhetoric.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

2. “In short, Australia sees both the Pacific Islands Forum and the ASEAN Regional Forum as regional bodies with a significant contribution to make to counter- terrorism. Although we have been active at the national and regional levels, we recognize that further steps and a long-term committed effort are required. Later this week, from 17 to 19 April in Bangkok, Australia will co-host with Thailand a workshop of the ASEAN Regional Forum on the prevention of terrorism. The Bangkok workshop will enable Forum participants to obtain a greater understanding of practical measures to prevent terrorist activity, with a focus on border control, security measures for international events, measures to detect explosive materials, and aviation security.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

3. “The workshop emphasized the importance of preventing terrorist financing, strengthening border controls, and developing and implementing appropriate domestic counter-terrorism legislative regimes, with a focus on the particular regional environment for Pacific Island countries. Australia also participated in an Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum workshop on financial measures against terrorism, which was also held in Honolulu, from 24 to 26 March. That workshop emphasized the need to coordinate international measures to suppress the financing of terrorism, as well as the role the ASEAN Regional Forum and other regional groups can play in developing mechanisms for information-sharing.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

4. “We are currently considering a number of initiatives to implement this memorandum. In our own region, Australia is actively contributing to promoting cooperation against terrorism. From 25 to 27 March, together with the United States, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat, Australia co-hosted a Pacific Islands counter-terrorism workshop, which was held in Honolulu. The workshop successfully raised awareness among Pacific Island countries of the nature and threat posed by international terrorism and of the measures needed to combat it. It produced a report that will serve as a guide to Pacific Island countries in giving effect to resolution 1373 (2001) and in implementing the counter-terrorism conventions.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

5. “But we realize that, as is outlined in resolution 1373 (2001), counter-terrorism activity cannot be limited to efforts at the national level. Bilateral, regional and international cooperation is essential to effectively combat terrorism in all its forms and in all its locations. At the bilateral level, Australia is pleased to report that on 7 February 2002 we signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia on combating international terrorism. The memorandum provides a framework for bilateral cooperation to prevent, suppress and combat international terrorism through the exchange and flow of information and intelligence. It also provides for cooperation between law- enforcement agencies and the strengthening of capacity- building through networking, training and education programmes, visits and joint operations.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

6. “Since December 2001, when we submitted Australia's first report to the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Government of Australia has introduced to Parliament comprehensive new laws specifically directed to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorist acts; strengthen measures to detect, freeze and seize terrorist assets and eliminate terrorist financing; and enable Australia to become a party to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. These efforts reflect Australia's firm resolve to further strengthen its domestic counter-terrorism laws and practices.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

7. “Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) has provided a comprehensive framework for international action against terrorism. It is a blueprint for addressing these weaknesses, particularly in relation to suppressing the financing of terrorism. A key aspect of resolution 1373 (2001) is its requirement that all Member States report on the national and regional implementation of counter-terrorism efforts. Australia joins others today in encouraging all Member States to implement fully these and the other provisions of resolution 1373 (2001). Even before 11 September, Australia had in place substantial measures to combat terrorism. As host to the 2000 Olympics, we had recent experience in addressing the terrorist threat.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

8. “Sir Jeremy Greenstock deserves the many accolades he has received for this, but we are also keenly aware that many other colleagues have worked hard and well to develop the important role that the CTC is now playing in strengthening international efforts against terrorism. The 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States demonstrated in stark, tragic terms the current weaknesses in the international counter-terrorism regime. They revealed that the existing counter- terrorism instruments, for example, while enjoying wide adherence, did not provide sufficient accountability or verification of their implementation. Other weaknesses included insufficient information exchange and the lack of assistance for capacity- building. It is heartening to hear, for example in today's debate, many countries addressing these issues.”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

9. “Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this timely and important meeting on an issue of deep interest and continuing concern to Member States. We would like to use the opportunity today to summarize for the Council Australia's own efforts to strengthen our counter-terrorism capacity and in particular our efforts to enhance our cooperation with other countries, especially in our own region. Before doing so, I wish to join many others today in acknowledging and expressing our appreciation for the sustained effort by the members of the Security Council and the Secretariat staff working with them to establish the Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).”

   2002-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4512Resumption1 (2002) · source

10. “We commend in particular the effort of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to enhance the frequency and the quality of its consultations with troop contributors, including the recent initiative to issue briefing notes when the issues are complex or unfamiliar. These have been worthwhile steps in the right direction. We again thank you, Mr. President, and the delegation of Singapore for initiating debate on this important topic, and we look forward to contributing to further work on it.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

11. “Finding the right balance presents a challenge - for the Council, the Secretariat and Member States - which will require that all parties approach consultations in a constructive way. On the one hand, if the Council hosts consultations which do no more than present troop-contributing countries with faits accomplis, the process will be undermined; on the other hand, if troop contributors were to use the process cynically or were to hold up decision-making without regard to broader interests, this would also do peacekeeping a disservice. It is crucial, therefore, that all parties concerned approach the consultation process in a cooperative spirit. It would be remiss not to acknowledge that some improvements have been made over the years.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

12. “Failing to consult Governments that have troops on the ground in such circumstances would be, in effect, a breach of faith. Consultations should also precede the establishment of a mandate - in that case, involving potential troop contributors - and consultations should be a part of the process of developing and refining the concept of operation for a mission. We recognize that the Council often faces pressures to make speedy decisions and must balance a range of conflicting considerations and national positions. In looking at ways to strengthen the consultation process, we do not advocate burdensome processes or structures that would undercut the Council's ability to make effective and timely decisions.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

13. “It is not sufficient to go through the motions of a consultative process that amounts to little more than troop contributors being informed of Secretariat planning or the Council's position. All parties stand to gain from an effective two-way dialogue, not least Council members and military planners in the Secretariat who can benefit from the input of Member States, which will not only have legitimate concerns as troop contributors, but in many cases also have expertise in the theatre of operation that can greatly assist the planning process. The timing of consultations is critical. Prior consultations should be regarded as indispensable in situations where the Council is changing the status of an existing operation or amending rules of engagement.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

14. “Governments will always make decisions to participate, or not to participate, on the basis of a number of considerations, and there will continue to be operations where the perceived level of risk or other factors will deter some from contributing troops. That being said, the absence of effective consultation will almost certainly result in potential contributors turning away because of lack of information or lack of opportunity to contribute to the development of a concept of operations or a Council mandate. This can serve only to complicate the task of both the Council and commanders in the field. We see two essential elements to more effective consultation and cooperation with troop contributors: two-way communication and timeliness. Meaningful consultations require active listening by all parties.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

15. “Indeed, during the course of the Special Committee's deliberations at its extraordinary session last year, there was probably no other issue that enjoyed such strong and broad support. There is a direct correlation between the willingness of the Security Council and the Secretariat to share information and their thinking with troop contributors, and the degree of confidence that Governments have in the concept of operations, planning and management of proposed peacekeeping missions. This should not lead us to assume that an improvement in the frequency and quality of consultation with Member States will necessarily translate into an increase in participation rates in peacekeeping operations.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

16. “Over the last decade or so, the growing demands and complexity of such operations has led Member States to give more attention to improving consultation between the Council and troop contributors. The Council's track record in this area has, however, been a mixed one. It was therefore a welcome development when the Brahimi report on United Nations peace operations gave renewed emphasis to the importance of timely and effective consultation with troop contributors. This has also been a prominent theme of the reports of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations in recent years, including its report to the General Assembly of 4 December on the Brahimi report.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

17. “Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. Australia looks forward to working closely with Singapore and, indeed, with the other new members of the Council that have begun their terms this month. We welcome in particular the opportunity to contribute to this debate and commend Singapore's initiative in convening it. The issue of strengthening cooperation with troop-contributing countries is an important one for all Member States and a key element in improving the overall effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping. The need to consult with contributors or potential contributors of troops to United Nations operations was recognized in the Charter.”

    2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257 (2001) · source

18. “We also call on the Government of Indonesia to do everything possible to accelerate the resettlement and repatriation of refugees, including separating militias from refugees, ensuring that international agencies have unimpeded access to refugees to determine their preferences and to supervise repatriation; to work with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to respond to its serious concerns about its capacity to continue to carry out its responsibilities in West Timor; and, together with the international community, to plan for the permanent resettlement of those who do not wish to return.”

    2000-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4180 (2000) · source

19. “Another issue of serious concern to the Australian Government is the situation in the refugee camps in West Timor. Ongoing militia activity in and around the camps continues to affect the refugees, who are the most vulnerable members of East Timorese society. Until these people feel safe enough to return to East Timor or to make other free choices about their future, the process of reconciliation will remain fragile. We again urge the Indonesian authorities to take all the necessary measures to bring an end to militia activity in West Timor by disarming and disbanding the militia, removing them from the refugee camps, and enhancing cooperation with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) to ensure an end to cross-border militia incursions.”

    2000-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4180 (2000) · source

20. “We condemn the violent behaviour of those who continue to seek to destabilize the process of peace and reconciliation in East Timor. This tragic event serves to remind the international community of the remaining challenges it faces in meeting its commitment to the people of East Timor. Australia calls upon all parties to stiffen their resolve to stamp out militia activity on both sides of the border. We are conscious of the efforts already made at the most senior levels of the Indonesian Government to deal with this problem, but ultimately only that Government can take the steps which are needed to prevent such incidents. We urge Indonesia to redouble its efforts to bring militia activity in West Timor to an end, including by bringing to justice those militia members who have committed crimes.”

    2000-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4180 (2000) · source

21. “I commend your decision to open this meeting to participation by non-members of the Council at short notice. Developments in recent days have again highlighted the continuing challenges faced by the people of East Timor and by the international community in the transition process. These challenges deserve the focus and concern of all United Nations Member States and warrant opening up the Council to broader participation. The Australian Government was deeply saddened by the death of the New Zealand peacekeeper on 24 July at the hands of suspected militia members, near the East Timor border with West Timor. We call on the Indonesian Government to help bring to justice those responsible for Private Manning's death.”

    2000-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4180 (2000) · source

22. “A successful transition to independence depends heavily on continuing support from the international community. Security Council resolution 1272 (1999) recognized that, in order to fulfil its mandate, UNTAET would need to draw on the expertise and capacity of Member States, United Nations agencies and other international organizations, including the international financial institutions. Australia urges the international community to continue its engagement in the progress, to fulfil the pledges made at the Tokyo conference, to build on the progress made last week in Lisbon and to consider contributions to the long-term recurrent financial and in-kind support UNTAET needs if it is to be able to deliver its services and to support East Timor's smooth and timely transition to independence.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

23. “In this context, the results of the Lisbon donor conference were very positive, especially the very strong support given to further work to establish an integrated budgetary framework for East Timor which coordinates recurrent costs and capital inputs as well as revenue and contributions from multilateral and bilateral donors. While a good start has been made in identifying domestic sources of revenue, this needs to be pursued much more actively over the next few months. In the meantime, it is important for the international community to continue to provide assistance, not just for reconstruction efforts but also for the recurrent costs of the East Timorese administration so that it can keep basic services running in such areas as health, education and infrastructure. Much remains to be done in East Timor.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

24. “The Australian Government has made a major financial commitment to East Timor last year and this. Our financial assistance in the financial year ending at the end of this month will total over $81 million (Australian) through the Australian Aid Programme. In recognition of East Timor's continuing development needs, the Australian Government announced in May a commitment of $150 million (Australian) over the four years beginning this July through to 2003-2004. This multiyear commitment will provide East Timor with increased certainty in budgetary planning over the medium term.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

25. “As for East Timor's future security needs, we remain committed to engaging fully with all key players in this important issue, and we welcome in this respect the commissioning by UNTAET of an independent study on East Timor's future security needs and options. UNTAET's continuing effective operation in East Timor will rely heavily on the ability of the United Nations system to deliver the resources needed to implement all aspects of UNTAET's mandate. We encourage the United Nations to continue its efforts to streamline recruitment, procurement and approval procedures in order to overcome delays in implementing vital development activities. As a close neighbour, Australia is a committed long-term partner in East Timor's reconstruction and development.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

26. “We urge the Indonesian authorities to enhance efforts to accelerate resettlement and repatriation, including separating militias from refugees, ensuring that international agencies have unimpeded access to refugees to determine their preferences and to supervise repatriation, and, together with the international community, plan for permanent resettlement for those who do not wish to return. Despite these concerns, improvement in the security situation, notably in the eastern part of East Timor, has provided a sound basis on which to commence a downsizing of the peacekeeping operation over the coming months. Australia supports UNTAET's decision to commence a gradual but steady decrease of troops in the eastern sector.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

27. “A stable security environment will be a key benchmark and an essential element of a smooth progression to independence. While improvements have taken place in the last six months, security problems remain. Australia was seriously concerned by the two recent militia attacks on UNTAET peacekeeping operation forces along the border with West Timor. These attacks have highlighted the need for greater action to disarm the militia and curtail their activities in West Timor as well as the need for the peacekeeping operation to maintain vigilance, particularly in the border regions. Australia also continues to be concerned at the situation of refugees in West Timor, in particular at the recent security incidents which have led to the suspension of the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

28. “A successful transition to independence in East Timor will require careful and effective planning. Hence we attach great importance to the development of a considered exit strategy for UNTAET. Among other elements, this strategy should lay down a set of realistic benchmarks which reflect the basic conditions required for East Timor to function effectively as an independent State. An exit strategy incorporating benchmarks should be a mutually reinforcing aspect of continuing efforts to expand East Timorese involvement in the transition process. We consider that such a strategy should not be so detailed as to set the bar unrealistically high for what can be achieved, yet be specific enough to provide some focus for the path to independence and an adequate basis for measuring the progress and effectiveness of ongoing reconstruction efforts.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

29. “Vieira de Mello's leadership, and we commend the effort and commitment of all UNTAET's personnel, both international and East Timorese. It is important to the long-term success of the transition that the people of East Timor take an active and constructive role in governance from an early stage. Australia welcomes the steps which UNTAET has taken to promote increased East Timorese participation in decision-making processes, including through an expanded National Consultative Council. We encourage UNTAET to continue to work on strategies which will facilitate the effective involvement of the East Timorese in the transition to independence. We welcome Mr. Vieira de Mello's account of further thinking within UNTAET and in discussion with East Timorese representatives about how this might be achieved.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

30. “Mr. President, I applaud your decision to conduct this open meeting of the Council, which provides non-members with an opportunity to participate in the discussion on an issue which for my Government remains of particular importance. Through you, Sir, I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Vieira de Mello, for his comprehensive briefing to the Council on the continuing work of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Australia strongly supports UNTAET's role in guiding East Timor through the transition process. So far UNTAET has made creditable progress in developing a transitional administration and laying the foundations for an independent East Timor. It has done so in the face of enormous challenges and limited resources. We commend Mr.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source