YouSaid · the spoken record

Thomson

lines on the record: 368
first: 2002-10-22
most recent: 2014-10-28
sittings or episodes: 57
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 can continue as normal and face a growing risk of failure through overstretch, or we can embrace Under- Secretary-General Guehenno's call to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations to suspend business as usual for a while. It is not really a choice. It cannot be business as usual. Our goals are pretty clear. We all want forces smoothly generated into cohesive, coherent operations, including enablers and civilian components. We all know we need to sustain that force and cover all eventualities. We know we need better-informed strategic direction of the operation, linked to the effort on the ground. Therefore, we need clarity between New York and first-rate Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and Force Commanders in the field. The challenge is to be clear about what needs to change, and how.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“We supply more troops to United Nations operations than any other permanent member of the Council. We pay more for United Nations peacekeeping than any country, except for the United States, Japan and Germany. My country is not going to argue for less United Nations peacekeeping in the face of United Nations success and in the face of continued humanitarian and international demand. Nor is it credible that the Security Council should ask for less. We agree with the Secretary-General that Member States must show commitment. So, the Council and United Nations Member States face a choice, as the excellent non-paper provided by the presidency has pointed out.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“There are the risks that the Secretary-General has pointed to: inadequate resources, whether of personnel or funding. Civilian personnel looks like a particular challenge this year, and this is against the background of civilian undermanning in existing operations. What percentage, for example, of civilian staff have been hired so far for the United Nations Mission in Liberia? From overstretch, there are risks of inefficiency and ineffectiveness, and there are risks - and they are real - of diminished accountability, breaches of military discipline, corruption, political mistakes and even military failure. So, what is to be done? The United Kingdom is deeply committed to United Nations-mandated peacekeeping. We provide political support and a rapid response when necessary.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“All these operations are, by definition, international, in which special representatives of the Secretary-General, force commanders, contingents and civilian components from many different nations come together and have almost never trained together. Many of these operations are complex, multidimensional, evolving and unpredictable. All, by definition, are highly political. Very few have a back-up military reserve. No nation, no Member State would be prepared to do what we have instructed the United Nations to do. And what private-sector organization would decide to establish a series of major new programmes without exhaustive assessments first of the resources, requirements and risks involved? Certainly, overstretch brings risks. There are the risks of rushed planning of new operations and of inadequate oversight of existing ones.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“But the surge in demand for peacekeeping is also a grave challenge to the United Nations system and to each one of us Member States. It is unprecedented and, by the same token, so is the threat to continued United Nations success. The risk is that the United Nations elastic will be stretched too thin and that, somewhere, some time soon, it will snap. We should consider what this Council asks of United Nations peacekeeping. There are just 600 Headquarters staff members in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to plan, launch and oversee what are likely soon to be 18 operations. That is fewer than 35 staff of all grades per operation. By the end of the year, there will probably be fewer than one staff member in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations per 100 staff members in the field.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“In some cases, it is a sign that conflicts are coming to an end, as in Burundi and the Sudan, for example. In many cases, it is a sign of the international community's willingness to back indigenous efforts in Africa to keep the peace, and those are spurring complementary efforts by the European Union and the Group of Eight. In all cases, it is a sign of confidence that the United Nations can deliver multidimensional peace-building that the international community increasingly understands is necessary for sustainable security. It is, perhaps, a sign of success that the Council rather takes it for granted, when it mandates a mission, that the resources will be found and that the United Nations system will deliver.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“I would like at the outset, Sir, to welcome your presence in the Chair and the presence with us of the Secretary-General. I associate my delegation with the statement to be made by the representative of Ireland on behalf of the European Union later in this debate. As the Secretary-General has told us this morning, this debate is important and well timed. We are grateful to your delegation, Mr. President, for arranging it and glad that it provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to Pakistan's contribution to United Nations peacekeeping and, through you, to the contributions of other troop-contributing countries. It is important as a debate and it is well timed because we are in the middle of an unprecedented surge in demand for United Nations peacekeeping. We can see this as a sign of success.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Areas where the United Kingdom is particularly keen to see further progress include the establishment of necessary legal and institutional frameworks such as a defence act and prison legislation, clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the Timorese police and armed forces, and improvement in the administration of justice. Finally, we welcome the continued constructive cooperation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. We hope that that will facilitate the early resolution of outstanding issues, including agreement on a land border and the provision of justice for those responsible for serious crimes in 1999. With respect to the latter point, it is important that the work of the Serious Crimes Unit should continue.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“The Secretary-General's report (S/2004/333) sets out clearly the areas where progress has been achieved and those where continued international support is required. I will not dwell on them, but it is clearly the case that a smooth buildup in the governance capacity of East Timor is necessary for a smooth UNMISET drawdown. We welcome the strengthening of key public institutions, in particular through the passage of the Civil Service Act and the Organic Law on the Office of the Presidency, and we commend the positive steps that have been made in preparation for elections later this year, including the establishment of the National Electoral Commission and the finalizing of the legal framework under which the elections can take place.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“We believe that the Secretary-General has made a compelling case for the extension of UNMISET's mandate for a further one-year consolidation phase. It is important to ensure that the investments of the international community and the achievements of the Timorese people and Government are not undermined. We look forward to engaging in negotiations this week on a draft resolution to extend UNMISET in a reduced form and with a modified mandate that reflects a coherent exit strategy. We welcome the fact that differences over the makeup of the security component of the follow-on mission appear now to have been resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. We thank the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for its efforts in that regard.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“At the outset, I should like to associate my delegation with the sadness that others have expressed at the loss of life in Grozny, Turning to the item on our agenda, I would like particularly to welcome the presence here of Senior Minister Ana Pessoa Pinto. We look forward to hearing her views. I take the effort she has made to be here today not only as a gesture to acknowledge the new phase that the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) is entering, but also as an acknowledgement of all that Kamalesh Sharma has achieved over his two years of close work with the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, We thank him for what he has done. I would like also to associate my delegation with the statement to be made by Ireland on behalf of the European Union later in this debate.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“In conclusion, this draft resolution is all about effective multilateral action to deal with a real threat to international peace and security. The cooperative action and inclusive measures it envisages can help prevent a tragedy. We should not have to wait for such a tragedy in order to act. The United Kingdom hopes that members of the Council will embrace this collaborative multilateral action.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“We see the committee as the heart of a cooperative approach, allowing countries to compare experience, to establish best practice and to identify areas where technical assistance is needed. We believe the committee would need to draw on appropriate expertise and to consult closely with the wider United Nations membership. We also believe that, given the time Member States would need to implement the draft resolution, the committee should have a two-year mandate to allow for a meaningful cooperative process. We do not, however, see it as necessary for legislation or executive action to have been completed by Member States before they first report, as called for by the draft resolution. Indeed, Member States that already have strong laws and controls in this area may not need to take additional measures.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The draft resolution makes clear that it will be the Council that will monitor its implementation. Any enforcement action would require a new Council decision. My third point is that the draft resolution is instead about a cooperative approach to tackling the threat of weapons of mass destruction and non-State actors. The draft resolution, for example, explicitly encourages technical assistance to countries that may need held in putting in place sensible controls on access to WMD materials. It also sets up a Council subcommittee. As is usually the case, we expect that that committee will determine its exact mandate, acting under consensus and involving all Council members.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In our view, this legal base simply reflects the fact that we are dealing with what is clearly a threat to international peace and security, and we are therefore operating under the part of the Charter that covers international peace and security. It would send an odd message if the Security Council were to act on any other basis. A Chapter VII legal base also underlines the seriousness of our response to this issue and the binding nature of the requirement to establish sensible WMD controls. It will give States the increased authority they need to introduce robust domestic measures, and it leaves it up to Member States to decide exactly what steps they need to take. What this draft resolution does not do is authorize enforcement action against States or against non-State actors in the territory of another country.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The draft resolution in fact promotes the universalization and strengthening of multilateral treaties and makes clear that it will not conflict with those regimes. It does not rule out future arrangements to deal with the current gap in the multilateral framework. But the draft resolution and the urgently needed implementation of it should not be held hostage to the uncertainty over how long such arrangements would take to negotiate, how comprehensive they would be or whether agreement would be reached at all. My second point is that the draft resolution is not about coercion or enforcement. Many delegations have raised questions about the Chapter-VII legal base for the draft resolution and about what that implies.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“At the same time, however, the sponsors have always been clear that the focus of this draft resolution must remain the problem it is trying to tackle: the issue of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and non-State actors. Bringing in too many additional issues would, to be frank, risk deadlock. It would also risk treading on the toes of competent bodies such as the First Committee of the General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament and the review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The draft resolution does not undermine in any way the importance of disarmament; it is just that disarmament is not its primary focus. Nor does the draft resolution negate the importance of existing multilateral arrangements.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“My delegation believes that, in such circumstances, not only is it appropriate for the Security Council to act, it is imperative that it do so. The Council has a responsibility to respond to this threat to international peace and security. It is in that context that the United Kingdom and the other sponsors proposed the draft resolution currently before the Council, on which I would like to make just three points. My first point is that the draft resolution does not negate the importance of disarmament or of the multilateral treaty framework. In response to the concerns of many delegations, the draft resolution now makes clear the importance of arms control and disarmament obligations. We agree with others here that progress on these issues is important and should be pursued in the appropriate forums.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The recognition that we need rapidly and effectively to deal with this threat could not be more justified. Osama bin Laden has called it a "duty" to obtain nuclear weapons. His networks have experimented with chemicals and toxins for use in attacks. In Afghanistan, Al Qaeda trained its recruits in the use of poisons and chemicals, while manuals for the manufacture of deadly substances were widely distributed. The sarin attack on the Tokyo metro and the anthrax attacks in the United States in the autumn of 2001 showed that there are individuals capable of and willing to use these terrible indiscriminate weapons, and showed the seriousness of even a relatively small attack. It is clear that in the face of this urgent threat only the Security Council can act with the necessary speed and authority.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“I should like to associate my delegation with the European Union statement to be delivered later in this debate by the representative of Ireland. This open debate marks a further stage in what has been an unprecedented effort to discuss and consult with the United Nations membership with respect to the important draft resolution under discussion. My delegation has been encouraged by the constructive discussions held so far with both members and non- members of the Council, by the helpful ideas and suggestions received, by the opportunity to discuss and, I hope, allay concerns and by the almost universal acceptance that we must act now to tackle the threat of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists and other non-State actors. We look forward to listening carefully to the views that will be expressed today.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The fact that the overwhelming majority of the Council has voted in favour sends a strong message of support for the Secretary-General's efforts and for the Secretary-General's plan, which offers the Cypriot people a historic opportunity to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Cyprus. We very much hope that they will seize it. This vote also offers the people of Cyprus reassurance that the Council will act on the obligations foreseen for it in the comprehensive settlement, including the establishment of a strengthened United Nations peacekeeping operation and the imposition of an arms embargo. There should be no doubt, therefore, that the Council stands ready to fulfil its commitments. Our draft resolution remains on the table, and we will ask for the Council to take speedy action after the referendums.”
2004-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4947 (2004) · source
“The United Kingdom is naturally disappointed that the Council was not able to reach consensus on our draft resolution. I nevertheless thank Council members for their efforts over the past three days to try to achieve a consensus decision. No one is opposing the general substance of this draft resolution. One member of the Council has voted against it for technical reasons of procedure and timing. Our purpose in this draft resolution is to support the efforts of the Secretary-General and his team and to support the Secretary-General's plan for a comprehensive settlement on the island of Cyprus.”
2004-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4947 (2004) · source
“The road map remains the right route to a just and lasting peace settlement. Our focus should be on getting this process back on track. The international community should work together to make Israeli withdrawal a success and to ensure that it is the first step toward the vision, as set out in this Council's resolution 1397 (2002), of two States living side by side within secure and recognized borders. A comprehensive settlement, agreed between the two sides, is the only way that either side will find peace and security.”
2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source
“The Palestinians must take immediate and effective action to stop the terrorism emanating from the occupied Palestinian territories in line with their obligations under the road map. Like others, we urge both parties to exercise restraint and to stop this escalating cycle of violence. Disengagement by Israel from Gaza and parts of the West Bank gives the international community the opportunity to help the Palestinian Authority with the economic, political and security measures they take and that they need to take in order to get to the point where the concept of a viable Palestinian State becomes a real possibility. We are not prejudging final status negotiations, nor is this disengagement plan pushing the road map to the side. As my Prime Minister said in Washington last Friday, instead, it is a way back to the road map.”
2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source
“The United Kingdom aligns itself with the European Union statement that Ireland will deliver later. So-called targeted killings of the kind we have just seen are unlawful and counterproductive. The United Kingdom condemns extrajudicial killings. We recognize Israel's right to defend itself and protect its citizens, but it must act in accordance with international law. The United Kingdom has repeatedly condemned the terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. We once again condemn another suicide bombing at the Erez Crossing. We share the European Union's condemnation this weekend at their meeting of Foreign Ministers, where they repeatedly condemned the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israelis. Terrorists inflict huge suffering and loss and try to undermine the true Palestinian cause.”
2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source
“We should not respond to violence by retreating from this. A premature debate on status would only reward extremists and could make matters worse in the region. The recent violence demonstrates how important it is for all parties to work towards real and lasting implementation of the standards, especially on the rule of law and rights of minorities, among others. Therefore, we very much welcome the publication of the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan. It is a key step forward.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“These issues, in particular the ongoing problems with privatization, need to be addressed urgently. The international financial institutions should also be fully engaged. At the same time, UNMIK needs to build confidence. Early movement against those identified by the international task force on corruption would send strong signals of intent. We should ask ourselves: what do we here in the Council need to do? My delegation believes that there ought to be an early presidential statement, and that it ought to say that the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan is a step forward and should call on all parties to actively implement the standards. Anything less would be a failure. In conclusion, we believe that the standards review policy framework remains the best approach to building a multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“The Provisional Institutions are going to need to demonstrate considerable progress if they are to achieve a positive assessment at the mid-2005 review. We believe it is the responsibility of all parties in the region, including the Provisional Institutions and UNMIK, to work towards a multi-ethnic Kosovo. The United Kingdom believes that no party in Kosovo or the region should be allowed to profit or to advance a political agenda through violent measures. We also need to address ourselves to the economic state of affairs in Kosovo. The majority of demonstrators were youngsters under 20 years old. Our mission in Pristina spoke to some young Albanians who said that their prime motivation for violence was having no future in Kosovo due to the lack of jobs and the economic situation.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“UNMIK needs to build partnerships with the local Provisional Institutions of Self-Government leaders. There must be a dialogue on how the Provisional Institutions can be made more effective and can work better with UNMIK. We also need to enhance local responsibility while not relinquishing reserved powers from Council resolution l244 (1999). It is clear that local leaders need to take more responsibility, while not being rewarded for violence. If Kosovo is to become a real democracy, its leaders need to learn how to govern. We should consider giving them a greater role in issues such as energy, the economy and justice. In return, Kosovo politicians need to make it clear that they buy into the process. Kosovo Albanians must recognize that further violence and unrest will set back the review process.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“We should also be thinking about effective local government, effectively devolving power to local institutions and giving the Kosovo Serbs a greater stake in running their own affairs, as well as a vision of a future they want to be part of. The important thing, the United Kingdom believes, is to demonstrate that we are committed to the principle of devolution, which will need to be worked out with the parties on the ground. We need to address ourselves carefully to Belgrade. Their statement did contribute to the underlying tension within the Albanian community in Kosovo, who still fear that the Serb army will return, despite the international presence there. Also, as Mr. Guehenno has reminded us, the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must resume as soon as possible.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“The international community needs to take quick decisions on humanitarian aid and reconstruction for those Kosovo Serbs who have been displaced or had their houses destroyed. This is critical for the region's perception of whether the international community is really committed to multi-ethnicity or not. The local Kosovo government have indicated their intention to fund this work, and that is welcome. But the United Nations needs to make sure that the resources, both financial and labour, are there, and to speed up the process. At the same time, measures need to be put in place to ensure that the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan, issued on 31 March, is reinforced to respect minority rights and their role in Kosovo's future and its institutions.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“NATO and UNMIK police need to ensure that the Serb community feels safe to return to their homes, and they need to consider what measures need can be taken to ensure continuing security. A key element, we believe, is the need to tackle extremists with political links. Secondly, as Mr. Guehenno has reminded us, we need a better public information strategy, led by the United Nations, to publicize the standards review mechanism and to stop rumours before they get out of hand. We need to help create a responsible media. Extremists should not be allowed to think that violence will force the international community's hand or bring forward a discussion of Kosovo's status. Thirdly, we need to reassure the Kosovo Serbs in order to ensure that progress made since 1999 is not reversed.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“We congratulate KFOR and UNMIK for restoring calm, and we appreciate the efforts made by Kosovo Albanian leaders to promote tolerance, especially the open letter of 2 April. We welcome their commitments to rebuilding a multi-ethnic Kosovo, and we look forward to seeing those commitment fulfilled. The recent violence has set the standards process back and demonstrates the need for renewed engagement on the part of the international community, but it has not killed the prospects. In tackling the underlying issues to secure real progress in Kosovo, there are several key challenges for UNMIK, for KFOR and the wider international community. We see the need for the following steps, among others. First is the need to suppress and deter violence.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“It is clear that we need to learn the lessons of 17 to 20 March. We should not shirk from asking ourselves the hard questions, nor from owning up to mistakes. The only way to prevent that violence happening again is for the international community to undertake a robust lessons-learned exercise, accept the responsibility and act on the recommendations. United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) need to continue their own speedy assessment of what went wrong. But we should not jump to conclusions or rush to change the underlying policy of the standards review mechanism that this Council endorsed last December. While the violence of last month was, as Mr. Guehenno has just said, a huge setback, the United Kingdom believes that the international community's goal of a multi-ethnic, democratic Kosovo is still possible.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“We are grateful to Jean-Marie Guehenno for a trenchant presentation, with which the Council will find me substantially agreeing. The Irish Presidency of the European Union will be making a statement later in this debate with which the United Kingdom fully associates itself, but I would nevertheless like to make a number of points. As we have just heard, we have just witnessed the most serious outbreak of inter-ethnic violence in Kosovo since 1999. It has, as Mr. Guehenno told us, severely damaged Kosovo's reputation, and it shows there is a long way to go to build tolerance. With the initial crisis response over, analysis of the situation points to the cause being major problems not only with underlying ethnic tension, but also in the international community's relationship with Kosovo.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“It is going to take a long-term, sustainable approach and it is going to require others to get more involved. The United Kingdom, as lead nation, very much welcomes the endorsement by the Berlin conference of the Afghan-led national drug-control strategy and the action plans stemming from the February international counter-narcotics conference. Like all other speakers, I think, we, of course, also welcome the signing by Afghanistan and its neighbours of the Berlin declaration on counter-narcotics. Afghans, with the United Kingdom, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other international assistance, are now focusing on implementation of the strategy. Our top priority is to urge donors to commit to specific activity within the action plans.”
2004-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4941 (2004) · source
“The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the provincial reconstruction teams do need to be properly resourced and we need to encourage partners to continue to look at ways of contributing to the security effort, whether through the provincial reconstruction teams or through troop contributions to ISAF. In addition to the provincial reconstruction team that the United Kingdom leads in Mazar-e-Sharif, my Government has offered to lead a second provincial reconstruction team at Meymaneh and to establish the forward support base for ISAF's expansion to the North of the country. Lastly, I wish to say a word on the picture on drugs. Clearly, successfully tackling the drugs issue is also going to be critical to Afghanistan's future.”
2004-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4941 (2004) · source
“This represents a substantial portion of the $68 million so far pledged. We have also contributed some Â£70 million - roughly $125 million - over three years towards counter- narcotics and Â£52 million - roughly $95 million - over three years towards security sector reform. Clearly, what others can do in further contributions will be welcome. Money is not the whole story, however. The real challenge now is implementation using that money. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration need to happen before the election and to get going quickly. As Mr. Guehenno has reminded us, security remains critical for continued progress.”
2004-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4941 (2004) · source
“It was a conference that successfully reaffirmed the international community's commitment to Afghanistan at a moment when this was needed. We welcome the announcement of elections in September and the challenging targets set by the Berlin work plan on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The Conference also sent a needed message of renewed commitment for reconstruction. The money pledged over the next three years is substantial. The money pledged for elections is important, but, as Mr. Guehenno has reminded us, not yet sufficient. For my Government's part, we have raised our Tokyo pledge from Â£200 million to Â£500 million - roughly $900 million - over five years. We have contributed Â£105 million - roughly $19 million - to UNAMA's preparations for elections.”
2004-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4941 (2004) · source
“A welcome to you in the chair, Mr. President, and our thanks to the French delegation for their services in the presidency last month. We are also grateful to Under-Secretary- General Guehenno for another good briefing. Ambassador Ryan will shortly be making a statement on behalf of the European Union, as the Irish presidency and we fully subscribe to it. Many good points have already been made this morning. I would therefore like to address only a limited number of points - three in fact: the outcome of the Berlin conference, security and drugs. Many others have expressed their gratitude to your Government, Mr. President, for their organization and leadership of the Berlin conference and I would like to associate the United Kingdom with those expressions.”
2004-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4941 (2004) · source
“We urgently call on all parties in Haiti to exercise restraint, to contribute to the restoration of law and order, to make the well-being of the civilian population their priority, to observe human rights scrupulously and to respect the international humanitarian personnel and facilities in Haiti. We urge the Government and opposition to re-enter negotiations in the interests of the Haitian people. The United Kingdom continues to support the efforts of those working to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. We acknowledge the call for international involvement in Haiti, and we are ready to consider carefully and quickly proposals for the international community to contribute to the stabilization of the situation and to its durable, long-term improvement.”
2004-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4917 (2004) · source
“We welcome this opportunity to discuss the deeply troubling situation in Haiti with the representative of Haiti and with important regional actors, and with the participation of the Secretary-General. We recognize and understand the regional concerns about the situation. The United Kingdom fully supports the statement that will be made by the Irish presidency on behalf of the European Union shortly, so I will confine myself to just one or two points. The United Kingdom believes a resolution to the current political crisis can still be obtained by peaceful means through negotiation. In this context, we fully support the plan of action put forward by the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States. It is an important basis for a solution to the crisis.”
2004-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4917 (2004) · source
“We urge Timor-Leste and Indonesia to reach early agreement on their land border and encourage both countries to continue to work together to resolve the question of the resettlement of former refugees and the outstanding cases of Timorese children separated from their families. We agree with others who have spoken previously that we should not jeopardize the successful investment which the international community has made in Timor- Leste, and we look forward to further discussion of the Secretary-General's recommendations for a United Nations presence beyond May 2004. We recognize that there are remaining security concerns and concerns about the preparedness of the police to deal with security incidents. We therefore believe that the follow- on mission should include a security element with a focus on policing.”
2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source
“On the police side, the United Kingdom has been working with Australia and the Timorese Government on a programme for training and assistance to the police. In that context, we would like to request the Secretariat to coordinate plans for policing assistance now rather than reviewing the question in December, in order to determine appropriate numbers of police advisers and to avoid any possible duplication. Like other speakers, we are pleased at progress in establishing good relations with Indonesia and at the transformation of Timor-Leste's external threat environment.”
2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source
“We are concerned, too, about the poor relations between the Timorese police and defence forces and would urge the Timorese Government to address this as a matter of urgency. We encourage the Government to pass police and defence bills and clearly to delineate the roles of the police and defence forces. We share the Secretary-General's concern about the overall weakness of the Timorese police and defence forces, and we remain committed to working, both bilaterally and through the United Nations, to assist the Government of Timor-Leste in strengthening those institutions. We particularly welcome the establishment of the independent inquiry into the incident in Los Palos and hope this will be transparent and impartial.”
2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source
“The United Kingdom wishes to support the clear emerging consensus that the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) should be extended for one further year, in a reduced and modified form, in a consolidation phase. As others have also said, however, much remains to be done. There is clear continuing work for UNMISET, and there are also areas where we would like to see the Timorese make further progress, for example, by passing the Civil Service Act, by establishing the Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice, by making a commitment to rooting out corruption, and by giving greater urgency and commitment to the creation of an appropriate investment culture.”
2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source
“We thank Under-Secretary-General Guehenno for his briefing, and we welcome Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta. We look forward to hearing what he has to say to the Council. The Irish Presidency will later in this debate be making a statement on behalf of the European Union to which the United Kingdom fully subscribes. We join others in paying tribute to the progress achieved in Timor-Leste over the past two years. It is a testament to the spirit and determination of the Timorese people. We wish also to acknowledge the contribution that the United Nations has made under the able leadership of Kamalesh Sharma. It is clear already from statements this morning that all agree with Under-Secretary-General Guehenno not only that there has been remarkable progress but also that further international assistance to Timor-Leste remains essential.”
2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source
“My second point has to do with our concern about allegations and rumours of corruption surrounding both locals in Kosovo and internationals. I would like to stress our full support for United Nations efforts to tackle that matter. My third point, like many other speakers, is to say a word on returns. We welcome the "open letter" initiative by the Provisional Institutions. It is a small step towards encouraging Serbs to return, and towards the building of a tolerant society that can provide security for all its minorities. But more still has to be done. Equally, parallel structures must go. Finally, several have spoken about the process of privatization. I would like to express my Government's support for that process. We believe it is essential for the development of Kosovo's economy, which, as we have heard, is in difficulty.”
2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source
“Committed as we are to multi-ethnicity, to democracy and to prosperity in Kosovo and the region, it seems, to my Government at least, essential to make progress on standards before final status comes to be addressed. I should like now to touch even more briefly on four other particular points. The first pertains to the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). We are concerned about the existence of extremist and criminal elements within it. We welcome the joint investigation by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and KFOR. The KPC has come a long way since 1999, and the process of weeding out members with extremist connections appears successful. But the development of the KPC remains a key priority of the United Kingdom.”
2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source
“Holkeri quite rightly said that bargaining over that is not acceptable. The transfer of competencies is an issue that can be agreed upon only by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and, ultimately, by the Council. I think it is important to reiterate this morning my Government's support for the Council's well- established commitment to the policy of "standards before status". It is important too that Mr. Holkeri should hear clearly from the Council that that has been, and remains, the Council's approach. Many others around the table this morning have underlined that. The Council has, over years and months, looked carefully at the particular circumstances in Kosovo.”
2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source