YouSaid · the spoken record

Tachco

lines on the record: 183
first: 2017-06-28
most recent: 2018-06-29
sittings or episodes: 30
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

“In conclusion, in the light of the unfortunately high number of armedconf licts today, conventional-weapons- destruction assistance will continue to play a critical role in our efforts to build a more peaceful, secure and prosperous world.”
2018-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8304 (2018) · source
“Deteriorating or mishandled stockpiles could threaten to devastate nearby population centres. They can also prevent the safe use of land, which can suppress economic development and prevent displaced persons from returning home. These programmes do not merely seek to protect civilians from the threat of unexploded ordnance; they also provide a vehicle to prevent the spread of disease, stave off starvation and provide a sense of hope and confidence for populations afflicted by these threats, so that they might more actively engage their communities and participate in their economies. Rapid stabilization assistance, critical to promoting security and securing peace dividends in a post-conflict environment, cannot take place until IEDs, unexploded ordnance and other conventional munitions are removed safely and securely.”
2018-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8304 (2018) · source
“Our State Department provided $179.5 million in conventional weapons destruction assistance in 2016, and we project the final contribution for 2017 to be $266.5 million, which is an unprecedented single-year investment. This assistance is not focused solely on clearance of explosive hazards, such as landmines, IEDs and unexploded ordnance; rather, the conventional weapons destruction programme provides the United States with a broader framework, with the flexibility to assist States with munitions management. Around the world, stockpiles of excess poorly secured or otherwise at-risk conventional weapons remain a serious challenge to peace and prosperity. Poorly secured munitions are illicitly diverted to terrorists, armed groups and other destabilizing actors, threatening the lives of our citizens and those of our partners.”
2018-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8304 (2018) · source
“Whether it is children on their way to school, business men and women conducting trade and commerce, farmers cultivating their fields or shepherds tending their flocks, civilians must be protected from the risk of abandoned landmines and unexploded ordnance. As long as these types of dangers persist, affected communities will not fully recover from the remnants of conflict. The United States has been the world's largest single donor and financial supporter of humanitarian mine action, providing more than $2.9 billion in aid for conventional-weapons destruction in more than 100 countries since 1993. This includes clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance. In fact, the United States is more committed to conventional-weapons- destruction assistance now than we ever have been.”
2018-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8304 (2018) · source
“As many have mentioned here, the clearance of mines, IEDs and unexploded ordnance plays an essential role in reconstruction and stabilization in many regions of the world. We remove explosive hazards in order to protect civilians to ensure a secure environment for the providers of a range of follow-on assistance and to clear the lines of transportation and communication for commerce. In the international realm, the United States is the Chair of the Mine Action Support Group for the next two years. We will strive to increase donor participation and commitment to this very important work. Protecting civilians from these weapons is a prerequisite for achieving lasting peace and stability.”
2018-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8304 (2018) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening today's meeting. I want to thank the Bolivian delegation as well for calling the Security Council's attention to this important issue. Of course I want to thank Assistant Secretary-General Zouev for his briefing to us here today. We hope that today's discussion will highlight the importance of mitigating the threats posed by mines and other explosive hazards as well as underline the potential life-saving impact of addressing this issue effectively. The United States urges other Member States to join us in a robust international partnership to reduce the impact of unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines on the vulnerable communities around the world.”
2018-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8304 (2018) · source
“One Taliban fighter told a reporter that, during the ceasefire, "the people were very happy with the peace. Nothing comes of fighting. It is all loss." A police officer who was able to visit his family in a Taliban-controlled village for the first time in years recalled that "one of my cousins pinched me. He said, 'ls this you, or am I dreaming?"' Those stories, and many others like them, show what is possible when the Afghan people come together in support of peace. The all-too-brief ceasefire during Eid should encourage all of us to think about what could be within reach. The ceasefire shows that peace is possible. The question is not if we can achieve peace, but how. We must redouble our work to help the Afghan people achieve a peace that can endure.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“We also appeal to all donors to make a concerted and generous effort in support of those elections, with a view to preventing further political instability that could frustrate efforts to advance the peace process. We have contributed tens of billions of dollars to Afghanistan, including hundreds of millions in support of Afghan elections. We would urge our international partners to do all they can to join us in that effort. These remain difficult times in Afghanistan. The back-to-back terrorist attacks last week, which killed more than 40 people, ShOW the challenges that the Afghan people continue to face. But despite those obstacles, the ceasefire during Eid gave us a small vision of how life in Afghanistan could change for the better.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Those who provide the Taliban and other armed insurgents with weapons, money or political support are fuelling the conflict. That must stop. As we continue to support the peace process, we have not lost sight of the critical work being done to prepare for Afghanistan's upcoming elections. The United States fully supports timely, credible and transparent parliamentary elections this year, with presidential elections in 2019. Preparations for those elections are at a critical stage, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan plays an essential role in supporting Afghanistan's electoral commissions. We urge the United Nations to ensure that it remains fully staffed throughout the entire election cycle, in order to continue this vital support.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“If Afghans can pray together, their leaders can talk together and, ultimately, resolve their differences. The people of Afghanistan deserve a reprieve from the Taliban's campaign of violence - one that lasts longer than a weekend. We urge the Taliban to respond to the call for peace from the Afghan people, reciprocate the Government's ceasefire in full and enter into peace talks without preconditions. The United States stands ready to work with the Afghan Government, the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan to reach a peace agreement that brings a permanent end to this war. It is also incumbent upon those parties that maintain close ties with the Taliban to use their influence to bring the group to the negotiating table.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“I want to thank all three briefers for their presentations today. We commend the continued hard work of Special Representative Yamamoto on the ground in Afghanistan. The United States welcomed President Ghani's announcement of an extension ofthe temporary ceasefire with the Taliban after the Eid al-Fitr holiday. That was a bold gesture. President Ghani's announcement showed the Government's commitment to peace as both a national and a religious responsibility. Once again, we see that President Ghani is making serious efforts to find a way to end the conflict. Sadly, the Taliban has refused to extend the ceasefire further. We condemn the Taliban's unwillingness to support that offer. During Eid, we witnessed Afghan soldiers and police sitting with Taliban fighters side by side in prayer.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“We in the Council are united in our support of Mali and in our desire to see the country's leaders come together to make peace, govern the entire country and ensure the Malian people's well-being, safety and opportunity.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Finally, the United States applauds the United Nations for its continued attention to human rights incidents, especially the investigations into numerous and credible allegations of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. We would like to echo the concerns regarding the Malian security forces, and we urge the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate allegations of human rights violations by its forces and hold accountable those responsible. For Mali's peace process to succeed and its population to unite around its Government, the people must not fear the very security forces that are sent to protect them. As elections approach, Mali is at yet another crossroads.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“We also share the assessment that failure to contain the crisis in the central region could have a significantly detrimental impact on the stabilization and social cohesion of the country, risking a reversal of the small gains realized so far. We want to see MINUSMA prioritize the expansion of the force's footprint and its community engagement in central Mali to better address protection-of-civilian concerns. The strategic review also raises the concern that we share about the parameters of service provision to non-United Nations entities. The report (S/2018/541) rightly points out that support to non-United Nations entities risks jeopardizing the Mission's impartiality and its legitimacy in the political space.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Given that reality, it is time to streamline the mandate to increase support to political engagement and scale down the Mission's focus on less critical activities. Such streamlining will necessitate tough choices as we seek to eliminate, refine or sequence mandated tasks that are either not directly supporting the political process or have stalled altogether. We, like others, are also worried about growing instability in central Mali, and we support the review's recommendation that some reconfiguration of the force in the north is necessary. The consolidation of bases could reduce troop exposure and free MINUSMA resources to complete tasks beyond force protection. Such an undertaking ought to be conducted at the discretion of the Mission leadership, with the safety of the Mission and its personnel in mind.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“We share the Secretary-General's concern that there has not been enough meaningful progress on the implementation of the peace agreement, and we agree that MINUSMA should focus more of its efforts and limited resources on the political process. The Council should use all available means to bring a sense of urgency to the process and encourage quick progress in uniting the Malian people around a common project. If we do not see progress, then we should seriously consider how long we can sustain the Mission without the serious and active partnership of the parties. MINUSMA operates in an incredibly challenging security environment, with few resources available to focus on initiatives beyond the protection of the Mission itself.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Successful elections will be essential to securing the gains that Mali has achieved so far. Establishing a meaningful dialogue among the Government, the political opposition and civil society, and ensuring that the political space is open for peaceful demonstration are important to ensuring that all parties see the elections as credible. We urge all stakeholders to resolve any disputes through established mechanisms, in accordance with the law. We express our sincere appreciation to the Prime Minister and leadership of the signatory armed groups for their efforts over the past few months to find common ground and build momentum towards implementation of the peace agreement. But all of the parties have wasted far too much time over the past three years, during which little progress has been made.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“The number of casualties, coupled with the limited progress on the ground, highlight the need to think carefully about what we ask of MINUSMA. The strategic review that the Under-Secretary- General briefed us on has provided an opening for a difficult conversation. Looking at the Council's observations over time and the helpful and specific recommendations provided by the review team, it is time to take action. This month, it is incumbent on the Council to contemplate how we can enable MINUSMA to support a more secure Mali and ensure that it makes substantive progress towards the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. First, we look towards July, when we expect free, fair, credible and transparent elections, with the full and meaningful participation of women.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“I very much thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing. I welcome Foreign Minister Coulibaly. (spoke in French) It is a pleasure to see him here again in New York. (spoke in English) We are gravely concerned about the continued deterioration of the security situation and the corresponding worsening of the humanitarian situation in Mali. We are alarmed about the fact that over the past six months, nine peacekeepers and seven contractors of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) have been killed and 36 peacekeepers injured. The ongoing attacks against MINUSMA across central and northern Mali present a serious challenge to the meaningful implementation of MINUSMA's mandate.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“We are working closely with the EU coordination mechanism to optimize that contribution, and we encourage other donors to do likewise. The United States believe that that is the best way to increase the G-5 Sahel members' capacity to fight the terrorist and security challenges that they face, and we intend to look for additional ways to support the Joint Force in the near future. Stability in the Sahel is a multilayered challenge of security, politics, development and humanitarian causes. The attention that those causes have received from the region and its dedicated partners is already leading to better outcomes. Continued international engagement will be one component of that process, but enduring success in the region will ultimately be determined by the G-5 Sahel member States themselves.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“In February, the parties signed the technical agreement in Brussels and hundreds of millions of dollars were pledged to support the G-5 Sahel and its Joint Force. We would like to reiterate our principled position in that regard, which is our objection to authorization of the use of United Nations assessed funds for the Joint Force under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, a Security Council mandate. The United States will not accept any proposal to move such an authorization forward in the Security Council. The United States has contributed significant resources to the G-5 Sahel member States, providing more than $822 million in security assistance since 2012, and last October we pledged an additional $60 million directly to the Joint Force's successful deployment and operationalization.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“We remain concerned that the Mission does not have the capacity to take on additional tasks as it struggles simultaneously to protect itself and fulfil its mandate. We look to its excellent leadership to make the best determination of when and how to support the Joint Force in the face of the myriad and unpredictable security challenges that MINUSMA faces on a daily basis. The United States believes that a combination of bilateral and regional support by the Sahel countries and international stakeholders can best address the ongoing financial and logistical needs of the Joint Force. As Ambassador Haley stated in December (see S/PV.8129), the technical agreement represents the full extent of any support role that the United Nations should play beyond continued coordination and technical assistance on a voluntary basis.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“To that end, we salute the EU and the Peacebuilding Fund's contributions towards the establishment and implementation of the human rights compliance framework included in the technical agreement. However, we were very concerned to hear reports of an incident in Bouleke'ssi, Burkina Faso, last weekend, where what may have been a Violent extremist attack on a Malian soldier under G-5 Sahel command was followed by the deaths of more than a dozen others. We anxiously await the results of the MINUSMA, G-5 Sahel and Government investigations into those deaths, and we call for additional investigations, as appropriate. Although we all agree that the purpose of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force is an important one, the implementation of the technical agreement should not overstretch MINUSMA.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“We urge all of the donors who made generous pledges at the February conference in Brussels to disburse those funds as soon as possible. We also encourage them to contribute to the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for logistical support to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), as outlined in the technical agreement, in order to expedite engineering projects for the Joint Force. We are all deeply concerned about the likelihood of violent extremist efforts undermining the security situation in the region. Nevertheless, as the Joint Force's operationalization continues, respect for international human rights and international humanitarian law will be paramount.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“We should therefore not lose sight of the peace process in Mali or the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict. The Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali emanating from the Algiers process remains the best tool that we have for beginning to resolve the situation in northern Mali, and we urge the parties to implement what they agreed to as part of the Agreement. The Council should consider using all of its available mechanisms, including the sanctions regime adopted under resolution 2374 (2017), in order to foster better political outcomes. There is simply too much at stake for Mali and the region to continue waiting for substantive results. We are encouraged by the Joint Force's operationalization, but we all recognize that there is a long way to go.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“We support the holistic and African-led approach of the G-5 Sahel as the best way to achieve long-term security and development in the Sahel, and we are committed to engaging bilaterally with the G-5 Sahel member States. While much of the Council's focus, as well as that of the international community, has been on the modalities of support to the Joint Force, it is important to note that security solutions alone will not solve the underlying political and economic issues. As many here have noted, security, governance and development are closely linked and countries cannot achieve long-term security without good governance, economic development and respect for human rights. The United States looks forward to seeing the G-5 Sahel member States build on their good foundations and the G-5 Sahel's priority investment projects.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Keita and Permanent Secretary Sidikou for their excellent briefings. We are encouraged to hear that the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) continues to make progress towards full operationalization. We also thank Ambassadors Mohammed and Almeida for their briefings and insights from the perspectives of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). The engagement of the AU and the EU is invaluable as we work together to improve the prospects for peace, security and opportunity in the Sahel region. The G-5 Sahel and its Joint Force continue to be a priority for the United States.”
2018-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8266 (2018) · source
“We appreciate the continued implementation of resolution 2404 (2018) as it was adopted in determining the mission's mandated tasks, size and budget. We are also encouraged by the positive events of the last month but acknowledge that Guinea-Bissau has a long road left to travel. Its people will encounter many challenges on that road, but obstructionist, intransigent and selfish leaders should not be one of them. Leaders have now shown willingness to take some steps in seemingly good faith. We will anxiously track their progress in the weeks and months to come as they implement the Conakry Agreement, foster unity, deliver services to the people of Guinea-Bissau, fight corruption and transnational organized crime, and prepare the nation for elections in November.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“We once again salute the activism of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including its February imposition of sanctions on spoilers of the Conakry Agreement and all its forward- leaning efforts to foster enduring solutions to Guinea- Bissau's crisis and the implementation of the remaining provisions of the Conakry Agreement. As I stated in February (see S/PV.8194), we believe that the adoption of resolution 2404 (2018), renewing the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), will bring real improvement to the mission, allowing it to focus on putting an end to the stalemate. Only two months later, we have seen a concrete political process, and we expect to see a mission focused on political solutions and employing its good offices working in concert with ECOWAS.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“We were glad to learn that the 20 suspended members of the Unit had been reinstated and were heartened by the recent string of drug seizures at Bissau airport in April. We hope to see more such concrete results, with full investigations and accountability supported by the Government and the security services, no matter where the trail leads. However, in order to continue to see impact, we wish to see the return of UNODC staffto Bissau. We will work with our Council colleagues, the Secretariat and UNODC to find a way to make that happen.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“We encourage all of Guinea-Bissau's partners in the region and the international community to find ways to support the Government's efforts to prepare for and execute the elections, including through financial support. Narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime destroy lives at all ends of the geographic spectrum. We genuinely appreciate the work that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has done in Guinea-Bissau, work that we perceive as having had a positive impact, reducing drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. The establishment of the Transnational Crime Unit in Bissau, under the auspices of the West Africa Coast Initiative, served as a powerful tool integrating efforts across the region to combat trafficking.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“Following the swift installation of an inclusive Government, we call on its members to focus on creating a programme of work and achieving service delivery to show that they are serious about serving the people who put them in power. In all these endeavours, we encourage the inclusion of civil-society and women's groups. We applaud the influential engagement of the Women's Forum for Peace and the national women's council and look forward to the national forum of women and girls for peace, scheduled in Bissau for later this month. As Guinea-Bissau finally sets out towards newly scheduled November legislative elections, we look forward to a free, fair and transparent poll.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“The United States is encouraged by the consensus appointment and swearing in of Prime Minister Aristides Gomes as well as President Vaz's renewed commitment to implementing the Conakry Agreement. While we are hopeful that these latest political developments signal a positive turn for Guinea- Bissau, past experience reminds us to remain cautious. Vigilance is still needed from all stakeholders to ensure fulfilment of the commitments made by the country's leadership. The people of Guinea-Bissau deserve as much, and the Council demands as much. We urge President Vaz, Prime Minister Gomes, African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde leader Pereira and others to follow through on fostering unity, implementing the Conakry Agreement and preparing the nation for the long-overdue parliamentary elections this November.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“I, too, would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Zerihoun and Ambassador Vieira for their briefings today, and, although Executive Director Fedotov has left us, we want to express appreciation for the renewed vigour that he has to counter narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime in Guinea-Bissau. I also join others in welcoming the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Filho, as he acquaints himself with his new portfolio. We very much look forward to working with him and wish to express appreciation to his predecessor, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Modibo Toure, for his service and passion to bring about positive change in the lives of the people of Guinea-Bissau.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8261 (2018) · source
“Kosovo meets all the criteria for membership, which will enhance the international law enforcement community's collective ability to combat terrorism, violent extremism, trafficking, cybercrime and other criminal activity in the critical Balkan region. We also call on United Nations States Members that have not yet done so to join the more than 110 Member States that have publicly recognized Kosovo as an independent State.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“The Council spends as much, or more, time on UNMIK as it does on missions operating in volatile security environments that are crucial to maintaining stability and protecting civilians. We must reorient the Security Council's time and efforts to pressing peacekeeping concerns. We welcome recent expressions of support for fewer UNMIK briefings, and we ask for Council agreement on that change. Finally, we continue to support Kosovo's membership is all relevant international organizations, including the United Nations. We strongly encourage all INTERPOL members to support Kosovo's membership at that organization's general assembly in November.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“As we have stated before, the Council must take corrective action on its outdated approach to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The Mission is long overdue for drawdown and closure. The upcoming negotiations in the Fifth Committee on mission budgets will serve as a reminder of the Security Council's critical need to instil fiscal discipline, responsibility and leadership in the United Nations. The nearly $38 million requested for the UNMIK operations does not make sense. While we appreciate the work of Special Representative Tanin and his team, UNMIK continues to live past its purpose, and we must wind it down. The reporting period for UNMIK should be extended to 6 or 12 months, with fewer meetings of the Council.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“Additionally, we note with concern the increased tension in the Kosovo Serb community following the killing of the Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovie. We continue to support a full and impartial investigation by Kosovo's institutions and call on them to work with urgency and with Serbia's full cooperation so as to bring the perpetrators to justice. We also urge Serbian institutions to investigate the threats against Kosovo Serbs who have joined the Kosovo security forces and are making an important public-service contribution. Rhetorical threats and legal actions against the Kosovo Serbs who have integrated into Kosovo's institutions are contrary to the spirit of the dialogue and must cease.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“The long delays with regard to the agreement have negative effects not only for ordinary citizens in Kosovo but also throughout the region and Europe. The United States commends Kosovo's ratification of the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro, which represents a political milestone and a key step towards full visa liberalization with the European Union for the benefit of all Kosovo citizens. However, the United States joins the Secretary-General in expressing concern over the increased tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, which can undermine efforts to maintain regional stability and the safety of citizens in both Kosovo and Serbia. The 26 March events surrounding the arrest of Marko Djurie in Mitrovica are an example of that. We urge all parties to avoid provocation and to focus on normalizing relations through dialogue.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“The EU's continuing engagement and guidance will ensure that both countries make progress towards the normalization of Kosovo-Serbian relations. We urge the leaders of both sides to seize this opportunity to demonstrate true political will and to work together to reach agreement as soon as possible. Normalization demands that both countries follow through with the full implementation of their commitments under the Brussels dialogue. We welcome Kosovo's launch of the process to form the association of Serb-majority municipalities, and we look forward to continued work in cooperating on that important and long-overdue task. We also look to Serbia to fully cooperate and to engage in order to finalize the implementation of the energy agreement.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“I thank Special Representative Tanin for his briefing and for all the good work that he and his team do on the ground. I also want to thank Ambassador Citaku and Foreign Minister Daeie for their participation today. The United States strongly supports Kosovo, its independence, its sovereignty and its integration with Europe and the broader international community. Given the reality of Kosovo's independence, which is recognized by the majority of States Members of the United Nations, we call on Serbia and Kosovo to work with the utmost determination towards lasting peace and reconciliation. The United States underscores its support for the Brussels dialogue. We greatly appreciate the European Union (EU) for its leadership in that effort.”
2018-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8254 (2018) · source
“With regard to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, does the Force Commander believe that the Mission's peacekeepers are operationally prepared to meet its requirements, particularly where the protection of civilians is concerned? What does he think the Mission would need to achieve operational readiness? The question of operational readiness is one we could perhaps ask all missions. I welcome the Force Commanders' comments on what is needed to achieve full operational readiness. Lastly, does the security situation in Darfur require a strong military force presence or could police, for example, assume a more robust role? I would once again like to thank the presidency for convening today's meeting.”
2018-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8251 (2018) · source
“Where such conditions are not present, we must carefully consider whether or not the current mandates continue to make sense, how the Council should adjust them and whether there are alternative and more appropriate conflict-resolution tools. Ihave just a few questions for the Force Commanders who briefed us today, keeping those principles in mind and articulating a larger philosophical view of peacekeeping and how their missions fit into that prism. With regard to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, is its mandate realistic and achievable? It has a particularly difficult mission. If not, bearing in mind that the Force Commander will endeavour to carry out whatever tasks we entrust to him, which tasks does he feel are really unachievable?”
2018-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8251 (2018) · source
“In April of last year, Ambassador Haley articulated a set ofprinciples to the Council (see S/PV.7918) to guide our review of peacekeeping missions as their mandates come up for renewal. I believe that those principles are a good prism through which to review mandates, as well as a reflection of our collective discussions in the Council. Much of what I have heard from Council members here today is also reflected in those principles, which are that peacekeeping missions must support the achievement of political solutions; missions must have the cooperation of host countries; exit strategies must be clearly articulated and mandates must be realistic and achievable.”
2018-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8251 (2018) · source
“As the challenges that we ask peacekeeping to address have grown and the rate ofpeacekeeper fatalities is on the rise, it is now more important than ever to assess whether a peacekeeping mission is the right tool at any given time for confronting specific challenges to international peace and security. The United States has expressed its strong support for seeing the United Nations raise the bar for the performance of United Nations peacekeeping by institutionalizing a culture of performance, starting with the development and implementation of a comprehensive performance policy that identifies transparent standards for performance and detailed measures to hold underperformers accountable. But performance alone is not sufficient.”
2018-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8251 (2018) · source
“I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for convening the Force Commanders here this week. We think that it is an extremely valuable event when Force Commanders have a chance to come together and discuss the common challenges they face in today's environment. As missions deal with ever-greater challenges, it is important for them to share experiences and best practices. I also thank the Polish presidency for convening today's meeting, in which we were able to hear briefings from three great Force Commanders. Not only are their briefings very important, but I would like them and their colleagues in the Chamber to convey how much the Council, and the United States, appreciates everything that the troops under their command do, all the sacrifices they make and their dedication to duty.”
2018-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8251 (2018) · source
“When that day comes, we will be able to say with confidence that Bosnia and Herzegovina has fully implemented its responsibilities under the Dayton Peace Accords and is irreversibly on course for European integration. Until then, we encourage the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the international community, to support the reforms needed to reach that milestone and to maintain their commitment to the Office of the High Representative as it works to ensure the success of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2018-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8248 (2018) · source
“We share many of the concerns voiced by the High Representative in his report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (S/2017/922, annex), including those actions that could weaken the rule of law, such as destabilizing rhetoric from political leaders that allude to a break-up of the State and hypothetical comments about future war. The Council must remain alert to actions and rhetoric that seek to undermine and threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its two entities and three constituent peoples. The United States looks forward to a time when Bosnia and Herzegovina's status satisfies the objectives and conditions for the closure of the Office of the High Representative, as established by the Peace Implementation Council.”
2018-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8248 (2018) · source
“We urge all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to embrace key political, socioeconomic and electoral reforms and work to enhance the rule of law, tackle corruption and improve the overall political climate in the country for the benefit of all its citizens. Looking ahead to the general elections in October, we urge Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt and implement electoral reforms, especially those addressing the so- called Ljubic' ruling. Those reforms are vital to the holding of free, fair and transparent elections, and to maintaining the stability that the country has worked so hard to achieve. Without those reforms it may be much more difficult to form a Government after the elections, which will complicate efforts to build a secure stable and prosperous future for the country.”
2018-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8248 (2018) · source
“We commend the continued work of the EU-led Operation Althea and of NATO to promote security and capacity-building in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We recognize the authorities' handover of answers to the European Commission questionnaire in February and view it as an important step towards the country's integration with Europe. Nonetheless, the United States is concerned about the recent uptick in divisive, nationalist rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That threatens to exacerbate divisions and conflict, the exact opposite of what the Dayton Peace Accords and subsequent reform efforts set out to achieve.”
2018-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8248 (2018) · source