YouSaid · the spoken record

Sumaidaie

lines on the record: 62
first: 2004-12-13
most recent: 2005-12-14
sittings or episodes: 7
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

“We believe that not only elections preparations but also vital humanitarian and developmental work can be greatly enhanced through direct contacts in Iraq between United Nations officials and their counterparts in the Interim Government of Iraq and in the provinces. Despite the relative peace and stability there, there is even a dearth of United Nations workers in northern and southern Iraq. It is hoped that steps will be taken urgently to build up the United Nations presence in those regions of Iraq. This is an area in which progress should be possible quite quickly. We also urge a quick replacement for former Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Ross Mountain. The Interim Government of Iraq commends Special Representative Ashraf Qazi for his efforts, given the constraints within which he works.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“The phrase "as circumstances permit" should not become a mantra, repeated to justify insufficient presence on the ground in Iraq. The Secretary-General's report is quite candid about the fact that much of the work of the Special Representative occurs within the confines of the international zone or remotely, in foreign capitals, rather than where it is needed, namely, throughout Iraq. The preferred mode of interaction with Iraqi officials seems too often to be video-conferencing or telephone calls from outside Iraq - or, indeed, through letters that inevitably find their way to the press.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“Using large-scale military force in any city cannot be a preferred option by any responsible or compassionate Government. It becomes a duty, however, if it is the only way to save a whole nation from greater suffering and to secure its future. With regard to the United Nations participation in assisting us to prepare for elections, we welcome the Secretary-General's decision to increase the number of elections workers in Iraq. But the increased numbers are still not enough, and we are concerned that that shortfall might adversely affect our preparedness for elections. We wonder how it is that the United Nations can play the leading role mandated by resolution 1546 (2004) if it remains largely insulated from the people.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“Is the Government supposed to stand by while the inhabitants of Fallujah, foreign aid workers and the rest of the people in Iraq are terrorized and murdered? Without law and order there can be no Government, and without Government only chaos and more misery can ensue. I have here a map showing the locations of all the places to which I have referred. We can make available detailed photographs of those finds to anyone interested in them. The encouraging result of its intervention in Najaf earlier this year provides further vindication of the Interim Government of Iraq's firm policy. Much to the relief of the inhabitants of Najaf and Sadr City, general calm now exists and reconstruction programmes are in place that involve the communities themselves. The report itself provides evidence of that.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“The Interim Government of Iraq concluded that those responsible for those atrocities were not interested in negotiating and that those who were in dialogue with the Government were incapable of delivering an end to violence. The strategy of the Interim Government of Iraq therefore had to be to deprive terrorists intent on destroying the transition process of any safe haven in Iraq. No responsible Government could do anything else. The discoveries made in Fallujah during recent military actions vindicate the Interim Government of Iraq. We found in Fallujah no less than 203 major weapons caches, ll factories for improvised explosive devices and three slaughterhouses for captives and hostages.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General notes that the security situation in Iraq has deteriorated in some places, although it also notes that there is relative calm in most areas of Iraq. It indirectly criticizes the use of force to dislodge terrorists from Fallujah. Yet it offers no alternative that has not already been tried for months, to no avail. The report takes note of, and commends the Interim Government of Iraq for, efforts to reach out to, and engage, groups willing to talk. But, despite all such efforts, we have witnessed increased audacity and brutality in the targeting of Iraqi children, women and men for wholesale massacre.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“Given the opportunity, Iraqis will turn out in large numbers to participate in the first free elections of their lives. Any risk to the election and its credibility and inclusiveness is likely to come not so much from a boycott but from the campaign of violence and intimidation that is being directed at the general population in order to thwart the election. The Government is doing its utmost to combat that and to reduce the effects of that campaign of terror to a minimum, while safeguarding the rights of all citizens to express their will freely. In that we shall need continued help from all concerned; and we shall need, and insist upon, help from our neighbours.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“Having said that, we are fully aware of the need for national reconciliation, which will be pursued vigorously. There are indeed some groups and individuals who have arrogated to themselves the right to speak on behalf of whole communities within Iraq. Yet, there is no reason to suppose that they speak for any sizeable contingent of Iraqis. They are, of course, entitled to their views. As long as they do not resort to violence to enforce them, they are encouraged and welcomed to take part in the political process. There is no reason to believe that those calling for a boycott will be heeded by any sizeable segment of Iraq's population. Boycotts have failed in other countries transitioning to democracy. Iraq is unlikely to be an exception in that regard.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“The Secretary-General's report refers to those who have called for a boycott of elections. It also states: "While a number of parties and other entities have announced their support for the elections to be held as scheduled, others have announced that they might boycott the elections. This underlines the urgent need to promote consensus on this important issue within the broader framework of the challenge of national reconciliation." (5/2004/959, para. 10) Reading that, one might get the impression that those who are calling for a boycott of the elections are as numerous as those who want to participate. That is far from being the case. Moreover, if by the word "consensus" we mean unanimity, then we are setting ourselves an impossible task.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“That is an ambitious schedule, but Iraqis need, and overwhelmingly desire, a legitimate Government and a return to normalcy as soon as possible. My Government is obviously fully aware of, and preoccupied with, the current security situation. But we believe that we have a legal and political obligation to the people of Iraq - an obligation that we intend to discharge and, to the extent possible, to do so on time. In that the Transitional Administrative Law and resolution 1546 (2004) stipulate the timetable for elections and the great majority of the people of Iraq want and expect them to take place as planned, to postpone them might be seen as giving in to the terrorists, whose goal is to wreck the political process and prevent elections from ever taking place.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“Whilst we agree with most of the report, there are parts which require some reflection and comment. Few issues now before Iraq loom larger than the upcoming elections set for 30 January 2005. The Transitional Administrative Law sets out a process designed to lead to a system of democratic Government with checks and balances such as Iraq has not previously known. The elections are a key step in that process. The raison d'etre of the Iraqi Interim Government is to guide Iraq through that stage of the political process and to ensure the holding of elections. In the next stage an Iraqi transitional Government will draft a permanent Constitution and oversee the next elections, which, pursuant to that Constitution, are to be held by 15 December 2005, with the new Government assuming office by the end of 2005.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source
“I wish to thank the Council for granting my request to address it today. I note with satisfaction that this is the second time in a row that Iraq has been invited to speak at an open briefing on its current affairs. That is both natural and fair. I look forward to continuing to be at the disposal of the Council whenever it deliberates matters concerning Iraq. Such dialogue is helpful and will not fail to be productive. The Secretary-General has presented to the Council a comprehensive report on the situation in Iraq and on the United Nations involvement in it. On the whole, it represents a fair evaluation and contains a welcome reaffirmation of values and goals set out in resolution 1546 (2004) and, more recently, by the international conference on Iraq held in Sharm el-Sheikh.”
2004-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5099 (2004) · source