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Tafrov

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681

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2002-01-18

most recent

2015-03-27

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114

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un-security-council

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1. “I believe we can be confident that the Committee's experts will be able to deal with these developments and in due course will be able to assess the progress made by States that are entering stage B. But for the time being, what remains important is undoubtedly the assistance that must be provided to States that are still trying to fulfil the minimum required by resolution 1373 (2001). States that are in a position to lend assistance should do so without delay. Obviously, a significant number of States are experiencing major technical and material difficulties. In conclusion, I cannot fail to mention the fact that, on 22 February, a law against the financing of terrorism entered into force in Bulgaria.”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

2. “As the Council is aware, Bulgaria is party to all 12 conventions and it reiterates its appeal to all States that have not yet done so to become parties to these instruments as soon as possible. As to the legal context of counter-terrorism, we once again regret that the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly, which was to have drawn up a universal convention to combat terrorism, does not seem to have advanced in its work at the pace that we would have wished to see. My delegation would like to warmly thank the experts of the CTC for their outstanding work. We wish to draw the attention of the members and experts of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to the fact that there are already States that are entering a new stage - stage B - of implementation of resolution 1373 (2001).”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

3. “It is very important that we use modern technology in countering terrorism. The Internet can be a powerful driving force behind the exchange of information. The very interesting web site of the Committee, with its increasing wealth of information, is a very good example of that. Bulgaria stresses the need to prevent access by terrorists to weapons of mass destruction. We welcome the intention of the Committee to contact the representatives of the relevant international organizations and specialized agencies and to coordinate these activities with the Committee. It is very important to strengthen the non-proliferation regime of weapons of mass destruction, both at the international and regional level. Bulgaria has emphasized many times the importance it attaches to the 12 international anti- terrorist conventions.”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

4. “That declaration highlights strengthened contacts with international, regional and subregional organizations. There is no doubt that these organizations have an enormous capacity to help Member States to implement resolution 1373 (2001). Bulgaria's experience, from its perspective at the subregional level, has proved this point. We are very satisfied with the results of the conference of South- East European countries held in June 2002 in Sofia. Bulgaria continues to build on this initial success. The flow of information at all levels - national, regional, subregional and international - and the control of these flows are a sine qua non for the success of counter-terrorism efforts. On 6 March 2003, during the extremely useful exchange of views between these organizations and the CTC, this problem was highlighted.”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

5. “I have no doubt that in the future the CTC will find the ways and means to draw on the experience of Member States and the clear thinking of Sir Jeremy. At the same time, I wish to welcome the assumption of the Chairmanship of the Counter- Terrorism Committee by Ambassador Inocencio Arias of Spain. He has all the necessary qualities to demonstrate real leadership on the Committee. I would like to take this opportunity to assure him of the full support of my delegation. The programme of work submitted by the CTC for the coming 90 days, we think, makes it possible to reaffirm what has been achieved, in particular with regard to the creation of a global network to combat terrorism. We are pleased to see that the Committee is giving priority to the declaration that was adopted following the 20 January 2003 meeting of the Committee.”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

6. “Eighteen months since the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established under resolution 1373 (2001), Bulgaria welcomes the fact that the Committee has become central to the universal campaign against this devastating scourge. This is a real success story. The beginnings have been very encouraging, and this needs to be stressed. I cannot overemphasize the personal role played throughout these 18 months by the Chairman of the Committee, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, to whom Bulgaria pays sincere tribute. Sir Jeremy and his team have lived up to the extraordinary reputation of the United Kingdom's diplomacy. They have worked with unequalled professionalism and personal devotion. Sir Jeremy has demonstrated that the old profession of a diplomat is conducive to the commonweal and the best interests of the international community.”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

7. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): Allow me, Sir, to say how delighted I am to see you presiding over the work of the Council for April. I have no doubt that you will discharge your difficult tasks with your customary brilliance. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Ambassador Mamady Traore, and the Guinean delegation, for the wisdom with which he conducted the work of the Council last month. As previous speakers have said, it was one of the most difficult months in the recent history of the Security Council. As an associate country of the European Union, Bulgaria aligns itself with the statement that will be made shortly by the Permanent Representative of Greece, on behalf of the European Union.”

   2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source

8. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): Bulgaria welcomes the fact that the Council has unanimously adopted this resolution, which deals with an especially urgent matter of major importance. First, we are grateful to Ambassador Pleuger and the German delegation for the excellent work they have done in recent days. I will repeat what I said yesterday. For Bulgaria, the adoption of this resolution would not have been possible without the political as well as moral prestige of the Secretary-General, who has brought all of his weight to bear behind these proposals. His influence and prestige have enabled us to regain our unity today. Bulgaria welcomes this as do other delegations.”

   2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4732 (2003) · source

9. “We support UNPOB's appeal to involve the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other United Nations agencies in the settlement of Bougainville's problems, in particular the reconstruction of infrastructures and the reintegration of former combatants through such programmes as the UNDP cocoa project. Finally, I should like to note my Government's very positive assessment of the dedicated and intense work of the Secretary-General's Representative, Mr. Noel Sinclair, and his team in support of the consolidation of peace and stability in Bougainville.”

   2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source

10. “Bulgaria welcomes Papua New Guinea's obvious preparedness to settle the dispute through peaceful and democratic means and scrupulously to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement of 30 August 2001. We were gratified by the signing on 18 February of a memorandum of understanding by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville parties, which establishes a mechanism for consultation between them on all aspects of the implementation of the autonomy arrangements. We also welcome the National Government's willingness to withdraw its Defence Force from the island on 26 March 2003. We are very grateful to Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and the United Kingdom for their efforts to provide material assistance to bring about a prompt settlement of the problem.”

    2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source

11. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): I thank Mr. Danilo Tiirk for his very useful briefing. Bulgaria welcomes the Action Plan for the Completion of Weapons Collection, which was adopted on 17 February, as well as the progress achieved in the implementation of the weapons disposal plan, on which the holding of an election for an autonomous Bougainville government and the adoption of the new Bougainville Constitution depend. We appreciate and support the efforts of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOB), deployed jointly with the Peace Monitoring Group and the two parties to the conflict, aimed at defining clear criteria for the completion of stage II of the weapons disposal plan.”

    2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source

12. “Despite the undesirable turn that events have taken in Iraq, Bulgaria still hopes that the United Nations will remain at the core of the international order and that the Security Council will continue to assume the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and the reconstruction of Iraq after the conflict.”

    2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source

13. “This process should logically lead to the lifting of sanctions against Iraq and the restoration of normal political and economic conditions for the Iraqi people. The matter of rebuilding the Iraqi society after the conflict should be resolved with the assistance of the United Nations, with respect for the right of the Iraqi people to determine their political future and to exercise full control over their natural resources. Continued monitoring of weapons of mass destruction is particularly important. Monitoring must be carried out through the resumption in due course of the mandate of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission and the adaptation of its work programme to new circumstances.”

    2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source

14. “My country unreservedly supports the proposals, put forward in the Council by the Secretary-General, to adapt the programme to the current situation on the ground. Acting effectively, and particularly with speed, is essential right now. The Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, with his moral and political prestige, is the best possible guarantor that such action can be successful. The Council must give him the flexibility he requires to achieve this task. As soon as the coalition's military operation is over, every necessary effort will have to be made to safeguard Iraq's territorial integrity, facilitate the emergence of democratic institutions, establish genuine rule of law and promote the country's return to the community of free States.”

    2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source

15. “The main task we face is to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, including to refugees in neighbouring countries. Bulgaria is prepared to participate in this effort. My country expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General and to the United Nations humanitarian organizations for the steps they have taken to ease the suffering of the Iraqi people. We believe that the Security Council should adopt as soon as possible - if possible, tomorrow - a resolution on humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people, which should adjust the oil for food programme and expand the Secretary-General's authority in that area. Reaching an agreement on this subject is particularly important for the unity of the Security Council and to reinforce its credibility.”

    2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source

16. “We confirm our position because Iraq was in clear breach of its disarmament obligations. The Government of Iraq is the sole party responsible for the serious consequences that it is now suffering. The Baghdad authorities did not take their last chance to comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 1441 (2002). My country appeals to all parties involved in the conflict to strictly comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law regarding civilians and prisoners of war. Bulgaria believes that the international community should not give up its responsibility to Iraq. To the contrary, it should make every necessary effort at the humanitarian and financial levels to rebuild the country following the conflict.”

    2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source

17. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): As an associate country of the European Union, Bulgaria supports the statement made yesterday by the Permanent Representative of Greece on behalf of the European Union. I would like to make a few comments in my national capacity. Bulgaria very much regrets that the diplomatic efforts of the international community to disarm Iraq by peaceful means did not produce the hoped for results. In recent months, my delegation defended in the Council a clear, consistent position for the full implementation of resolution 1441 (2002). My country made every possible effort to find a compromise among the various approaches within the Security Council in order to preserve the Council's unity. Military action turned out to be the last recourse for disarming Iraq.”

    2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source

18. “Like other delegations, we call on all States members of the Council to work together to support the efforts of the international community in providing assistance to the civilian population of Iraq. Even though my delegation deeply regrets the events of recent days, Bulgaria reaffirms its determination to continue to make a contribution to the preservation of the role of the United Nations in international relations. Bulgaria, which is dedicated to the principle of multilateralism, is convinced that the Security Council must preserve its essential role in the maintenance of international peace and security throughout the world, as set forth in the Charter. The Council should play an important role in the post- conflict reconstruction of Iraq.”

    2003-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4721 (2003) · source

19. “We very much regret the fact that, while there was a consensus on our objective in the Council - that is, the disarmament of Iraq - differences as to means and a timetable for the carrying out of this objective have not enabled the Council to take a common approach. Ensuring that we have a calm debate in the Security Council is crucial at this difficult time. Dialogue must be fully restored and the unity of the Council re-established. In this context, the statements that we have heard this morning lead us to believe that the resumption of dialogue has already begun. We must now focus on the most important issue. The most urgent and important matter now, which should be the focus of the Council's concerns at this serious time, is the humanitarian situation in Iraq.”

    2003-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4721 (2003) · source

20. “My country has done its utmost to find a peaceful solution to the crisis between the Security Council and Iraq, and this through a reasonable compromise along the various approaches we had in the Security Council with a view to preserving its unity. Now, since all the political possibilities for disarming Iraq have been exhausted, we confirm our position that, in refusing to cooperate fully, actively and without condition with the inspectors, Iraq has failed to seize its last chance to comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 1441 (2002). Bulgaria unreservedly supports the position of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to withdraw all United Nations staff from Iraq, including the UNMOVIC and IAEA inspectors, in order to ensure their safety.”

    2003-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4721 (2003) · source

21. “It is clear that the instrument of inspections is truly effective only with the existence of full and active cooperation on the part of the country and Government concerned. My delegation is grateful to Mr. Blix for having submitted the work programme, before the deadline, on the key remaining disarmament tasks for Iraq under resolution 1284 (1999). The work programme continues to be under study by my authorities, and we reserve the right to give our view on the programme as soon as this study has been concluded. Bulgaria sincerely regrets that diplomatic efforts at disarming Iraq peacefully have not yielded the desired results. Throughout recent months, Bulgaria has defended a clear-cut and consistent position within the Council, the objective of which was the full implementation of resolution 1441 (2002).”

    2003-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4721 (2003) · source

22. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): On behalf of the Bulgarian delegation, I would like to thank Mr. Hans Blix for the briefing he has just given us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the excellent work done thus far, and this in spite of difficult circumstances and conditions. Bulgaria confirms its support for the activities of UNMOVIC, under Mr. Blix, as well as that of the IAEA, under its Director General, Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei, and their teams. The obvious suspension of the inspectors' work should not call into question the usefulness of inspections in general. In future, the inspections will remain a necessary tool for the United Nations in order to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction everywhere throughout the world.”

    2003-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4721 (2003) · source

23. “Mercenaries play a particularly nefarious role in conflicts in the subregion. We are all fully aware of the harmfulness of the activities of mercenaries in Cote d'Ivoire. The international community must examine and assess recent concentrations of mercenaries in Africa, particularly in the West African region. It is clear that the settlement of conflicts depends on the immediate demobilization of mercenaries. In conclusion, I should like to say that my delegation fully supports the draft presidential statement that should be adopted following this debate, which is a useful contribution to efforts aimed at eradicating these threats.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

24. “We must say that the reports of the groups of experts on Sierra Leone and Liberia reveal similar violation schemes, often orchestrated by the same arms traffickers. As the Council is aware, the destabilizing activities of such individuals are not limited to the region of West Africa but extend far beyond it. My country believes that the Security Council must consider what the best way to tackle this reprehensible phenomenon would be. We believe that a structural change along the lines of the French-British idea of a semi-permanent mechanism is desirable, because that would better contribute to monitoring the implementation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations. The second element of our discussion today - the use of mercenaries in armed conflicts - is undeniably a threat to peace in the subregion.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

25. “It would be useful if the chairmanship of ECOWAS briefed the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1343 (2001) concerning Liberia on the actions that ECOWAS is undertaking to implement the Moratorium on light weapons. That occasion should contribute to the creation of conditions for more effective implementation of the Moratorium. Finally, I should like to say that Bulgaria supports and respects the ECOWAS Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Light Weapons in West Africa. The implementation of embargoes in force are also an important element of the global strategy to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in West Africa.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

26. “Those countries already possess a tool to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons: the ECOWAS Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Light Weapons in West Africa, adopted in 1998. The effectiveness and performance of that monitoring mechanism must be improved. My country encourages the countries of the region to implement the recommendations contained in the reports of the groups of experts on Liberia and Sierra Leone and to strengthen the implementation mechanisms, with a view to putting an end to the trafficking of small arms and light weapons. The international community must lend consistent support to the efforts of the States of the region.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

27. “The uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons intensifies existing ethnic and political tensions, causes considerable loss of human life and weakens the international community's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to civilian populations. My country welcomes the integrated approach of the United Nations and of the Security Council aimed at reducing and preventing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons as it relates to West Africa. Bulgaria commends the more active cooperation among the region's countries, which represents an important element in the global strategy aimed at combating the illicit and uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

28. “In that regard, I should like to thank the current Chairman of ECOWAS, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, and the ECOWAS force in Cote d'Ivoire, who should be fully supported in their efforts by the international community. It is logical for the Security Council to devote special attention to the problems related to the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in the region of West Africa, because that is one of the world's regions that suffers most from the destabilizing accumulation of such weapons. Bulgaria expresses its grave concern at the excessive accumulation, illicit and uncontrolled proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons, which continue to be a major challenge to stability and development in West Africa.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

29. “I should also like to say how much my delegation appreciates the presence of eminent personalities of the subregion and of regional and subregional organizations, and how useful this discussion is for the future of the subregion. The Secretary-General's participation also represented an important contribution. Before addressing specific subjects, I should like to say that my delegation appreciates the extremely positive role played by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on behalf of peace and stability in the subregion. Once again, we should like to express our support for the efforts of ECOWAS to promote peace, particularly in Cote d'Ivoire.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

30. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): I should like to tell you once again, Sir, how pleased I am to see you presiding over the work of the Security Council. I believe that the Guinean presidency was right to keep this workshop on the "Proliferation of small arms and light weapons and mercenary activities: threats to peace and security in West Africa" in this month's programme of work. It not only concerns an important problem for the subregion, but also, in my delegation's view, is a way of emphasizing the importance that the Council attaches to African issues at a time when all eyes are, of course, turned towards Iraq. Congratulations, therefore, on such tenacity.”

    2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source

31. “At the bilateral level, my country is attempting to contribute to the normalization of the situation in Timor-Leste, a young country of which the United Nations is rightly proud. We are trying to develop assistance programmes for weapons, which the nascent armed forces and police urgently need. The donor community must continue its engagement on Timor-Leste. Any withdrawal by donors would have a terrible effect on the stability that has been achieved at the cost of significant efforts by the international community.”

    2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source

32. “Those incidents jeopardize the efforts of UNMISET and the forces of order of Timor-Leste, which seek to normalize the situation in the country. It is important that those incidents be investigated and that their perpetrators be brought before the courts. Appropriate measures must be taken with respect to threats from former militia personnel and armed groups in remote areas, as well as to fight crime. UNMISET is an invaluable instrument in normalizing the situation in Timor-Leste. We take this opportunity to thank the men and women of UNMISET for their excellent work. The special report of the Secretary-General envisages modifying the strategy of UNMISET in the light of the events of recent months. It seems to us that the report's conclusions are logical, and we support them.”

    2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source

33. “I would also like to express my country's condolences to the Government of the Republic of Korea on the loss of five of their soldiers who took part in UNMISET. As Jean-Marie Guehenno said just now, until now we were used to speaking of Timor-Leste in an optimistic tone. Unfortunately, events in recent months with respect to the security situation in that young country no longer encourage such optimism. We believe that the Security Council must take note of the worsening security situation and act cautiously. Previous speakers mentioned the incidents in Dili on 4 December 2002 and those in the region of the city of Atsabe on 4 January, as well as the incidents in the region of Bobonaro, which had several victims.”

    2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source

34. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): Mr. President, you were right to choose the present format for this meeting on the special report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) (S/2003/243) as the situation in Timor-Leste is cause for concern, as Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno has just said - and I thank him for introducing the report. It is quite natural for the Council to meet to discuss the proposals put forward by the Secretariat in the special report. I would like to welcome the presence of J ose Luis Guterres, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste. I would also like to inform the Council that on 20 January, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Solomon Passy, and Ambassador Guterres signed an act establishing diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Timor-Leste.”

    2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source

35. “In joining its voice to those of the overwhelming majority of Council members, Bulgaria appeals solemnly to all Council members. Let us make an additional effort for the peaceful disarmament of Iraq. The very credibility of the United Nations and the Security Council are at stake. Let us rise to the moment. Peace will only have a final opportunity through our regained unity.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

36. “For Bulgaria, the unity of the Council remains both an objective to be achieved in order to preserve the credibility of the United Nations and multilateralism in general, but also a means to achieve Iraq's disarmament. Nothing can replace diplomacy, particularly multilateral diplomacy, in the days to come- imaginative, innovative and courageous diplomacy. In the days to come dialogue among the members of the Council must be intensified, since dialogue alone can allow for positions which today seem a bit too set, a bit too rigid, to be brought closer. For Bulgaria, which is an old European nation and a recently re-established democracy, the stakes are large. The unity of the Council would mean both overcoming unproductive divisions within the European Union and strengthening transatlantic ties.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

37. “Iraq continues to defy the will of the international community to see it disarmed. Only under pressure does it give the appearance of disarming. Consequently, Bulgaria is prepared to support the draft resolution. The adoption of such a resolution would be a logical continuation of the efforts of the Security Council to make Iraq understand that patience has its limits. We have taken due note of the amendments just introduced to the Security Council by the delegation of the United Kingdom. We shall study them carefully. At first glance, I must say that they go in the direction desired by my delegation, which is to seek consensus once again in the Security Council.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

38. “The draft resolution submitted for consideration by the Security Council by the delegations of Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as the memorandum circulated by France, Germany and Russia (S/2003/214, annex), are not incompatible. Both documents, as in fact the declaration of the European Council of 17 February 2003 states, observe that inspections cannot go on indefinitely. The memorandum emphasizes that pressure on Iraq must be increased. Bulgaria associates itself with that strategy, which it has been advocating since it realized that the Iraqi declaration of 7 December 2002 is not very credible. Following this state of affairs, my country believes that the draft resolution is an effective means to increase pressure on Iraq to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

39. “On 5 February 2003, Bulgaria declared that Iraq was still in material breach of resolution 1441 (2002) and of other relevant Security Council resolutions. It is with great regret that I am led today to reiterate that observation. In spite of the absence of any real change in Iraq's attitude, war is not inevitable. We are convinced that the use of force is only a last resort once all diplomatic means have been exhausted. Bulgaria associates itself with the declaration of the European Council of 17 February in Brussels, which states that "The Iraqi regime alone will be responsible for the consequences if it continues to flout the will of the international community and does not take this last opportunity".”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

40. “These valuable but unfortunately partial successes in inspections would not have been possible without the international community's constant pressure on Iraq. The unanimous adoption of resolution 1441 (2002) was the major and most effective form to date of diplomatic pressure. Having said that, let us face the evidence: it is the threat of the use of military force and even the very presence of a significant number of American and British soldiers on the borders of Iraq that make resolution 1441 (2002) truly credible. In spite of this necessary inevitable linking of diplomacy with force, Iraq's cooperation remains insufficient. It is neither immediate nor unconditional nor active, as provided for under operative paragraph 9 of resolution 1441 (2002).”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

41. “Given this lack of substantive cooperation, the report concludes, quite rightly, that thus far the major objective of resolution 1441 (2002) - the disarmament of Iraq - has not yet been achieved. Mr. Blix has informed the Council that results in the area of disarmament have to date been very modest. Of course, in recent days, as he has just told us, Iraq has made additional efforts. To date, 34 prohibited Al Samoud 2 missiles have been destroyed. Bulgaria welcomes this development. The destruction must continue at a sustained, or even more rapid, pace. However, more than three months after the adoption of resolution 1441 (2002), no significant breakthrough has been made regarding the quantities of chemical and biological weapons which are considered to be missing, especially anthrax and VX gas.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

42. “The update he has just given us is a useful addition and confirms the conclusions that we ourselves had arrived at during our careful reading of this important document. I should like also to thank Mr. Blix, Mr. ElBaradei and their teams for their professionalism and for their dedication to their work. The picture painted by Mr. Blix in his report is nuanced. While the Iraqi authorities are cooperating with regard to the procedural aspects of inspections - in particular by ensuring unlimited access to sites placed under the supervision of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) - so-called substantial cooperation is still not satisfactory, and Iraq's attitude leaves something to be desired.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

43. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): May I at the outset, Sir, say to you how very pleased I am to see you presiding over the work of the Council for the month of March, not just because you represent Guinea, a friendly country, but also because you personally have already made an enormous contribution to the work of our Council in the context of other duties. I should like to take this opportunity to thank also the German delegation, Minister Fischer and Ambassador Pleuger for their very effective leadership during the month of February. I should like first of all to thank Mr. ElBaradei and Mr. Blix for the briefings they have just given us. The Bulgarian authorities have analysed in depth the report submitted to the Council by Mr. Blix.”

    2003-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4714 (2003) · source

44. “This prompts me to observe that responsibility for any undesirable outcome of the crisis would lie squarely with the authorities in Baghdad. Any lack - or, worse, complete absence - of unity and determination within the Security Council on the question of the disarmament of Iraq would in the final analysis increase, rather than reduce, the potential risk to international peace and security resulting from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Bulgaria solemnly appeals to the Security Council to stand united. That is an essential condition for a peaceful outcome to the crisis and for averting future threats to international peace and security.”

    2003-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4707 (2003) · source

45. “It is clear that one essential element of that strategy is the active cooperation of Iraq. Bulgaria is in favour of the complete disarmament of Iraq by peaceful means. We should give priority to using all possible means to seek a peaceful settlement of the crisis, including bringing every kind of pressure to bear, both political and military, in order to attain our objective. Bulgaria believes that that goal can still be attained if Iraq immediately agrees to cooperate actively and unconditionally with the inspectors and comes into compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 1441 (2002). The Security Council has repeatedly warned Iraq of serious consequences if it does not comply with the requirement to disarm.”

    2003-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4707 (2003) · source

46. “The Bulgarian Government is waiting for Iraq to give clear and definitive answers to pending question arising from the IAEA and UNMOVIC reports, as well as answers to questions raised in the statement made by Secretary of State Colin Powell on 5 February. As other delegations have pointed out, the most serious questions relate to chemical and biological weapons. We are giving careful consideration to the French ideas about how to strengthen the inspections regime in Iraq. We believe that that proposal accords with the Bulgarian position, which has always advocated inspections of maximum effectiveness. We hope that the French ideas, as set out earlier by Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, will be one element in an overall Security Council strategy geared towards achieving the disarmament of Iraq.”

    2003-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4707 (2003) · source

47. “This prompts us to observe that, unfortunately - as the statements made by the chief inspectors have confirmed - the Iraqi authorities are still in material breach of resolution 1441 (2002). The philosophy underlying that resolution is that it is up to Iraq, not the inspectors, to achieve disarmament. The inspectors are there to verify that disarmament is taking place. Accordingly, it is essential that Iraq cooperate actively and unconditionally. The burden of proof is on the Iraqi authorities. The Government of Saddam Hussain - not the inspectors - must prove unambiguously that Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction.”

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48. “It should be recognized that the Baghdad regime tends to yield only when very strong diplomatic and military pressure is brought to bear. Iraq agreed to the provisions of resolution 1441 (2002) thanks to the united pressure applied by the international community. From that standpoint, the work of the Security Council and the United Nations vis-a-vis the Baghdad regime is still the main factor in ensuring Iraqi cooperation with the inspectors. It is also the principal condition for a peaceful settlement of the cr1s1s. Bulgaria believes that Iraq's cooperation to date in respect of the full implementation of resolution 1441 (2002) is unsatisfactory. Baghdad imposes conditions, and it shows signs of active cooperation with the inspectors only when pressure is brought to bear by the international community.”

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49. “They highlight even more the need to preserve its unity and its determination to disarm Iraq. We are very committed to the principle of multilateralism, and Bulgaria welcomes this approach. As previous delegations have done, I would like to say that we greatly appreciate the intensive, important work being done by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Iraq. We would like to reaffirm our support for the inspectors as they discharge their mandate, as set out in detail in resolution 1441 (2002). The experience accumulated over the past 12 years by UNMOVIC and IAEA shows that the success of inspections depends largely on the active cooperation of Iraq.”

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50. “Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria) (spoke in French): I have the privilege and the great honour of speaking on behalf of another old European country represented in this Chamber, but also on behalf of the sole new European democracy represented on the Security Council. I must add that we are very happy to be so. Mr. President, I would like to thank you for having organized this open debate, which is taking place just 10 days after the ministerial-level meeting held to listen to information provided to us by the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Colin Powell, relating to Iraq's programmes for the production of weapons of mass destruction and to its links to international terrorism. These two debates strengthen the central role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security.”

    2003-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4707 (2003) · source