YouSaid · the spoken record

Tiirk

lines on the record: 245
first: 1994-04-21
most recent: 2016-11-22
sittings or episodes: 18
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

“As I mentioned at the beginning, in less than a year from now, we shall prepare our report. It goes without saying that our Panel will be ready to share its findings and proposals with the Security Council as well as other relevant bodies of the United Nations. I hope that the Security Council will remain seized of the matter of connections between water and peace and security in future.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“I believe that water is vital part of such an ideal concept of peacebuilding. This year's reviews ofthe United Nations peacebuilding architecture have already provided a good framework for such prioritization, and I hope this effort will continue. In conclusion, I have referred to some of the key questions considered by the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace and some of those frequently considered by the Security Council. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to present these ideas and thoughts to the Security Council today. There are obviously other, more specific questions related to the protection of water resources, prevention of conflicts over water quality, development of mechanisms of hydrodiplomacy and other questions considered by our Panel.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“It will be important to give water-related aspects the priority status they deserve and that periodic evaluations of water-related-issues practice in the context of peacebuilding take place regularly. In addition, water infrastructure is a vital part of any peacebuilding activity. Historically, and in more recent United Nations practice, peace agreements have included clauses on water use and water cooperation. Cooperation in shared water basins is a historically proven factor of post-conflict stabilization and peacebuilding. It is therefore natural for the Peacebuilding Commission to include water management and water cooperation among its priorities in its efforts to promote an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to peacebuilding, as noted in relevant General Assembly resolutions.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“It would make sense if Member States could, in the context of their effort to strengthen the capacity of United Nations peacekeeping, provide, as appropriate, the assistance of their specialists for the evaluation, repair and rehabilitation of water-supply systems so as to restore or establish basic services for affected populations in the early stages of deployment of peace operations. Furthermore, the current development of the concept and practice of United Nations field missions offers some promising possibilities. It is encouraging that the Global Field Support Strategy places stronger emphasis on environmental management, including water, both at the level of field missions and globally.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“However, in paragraph 95 of its report, the Panel also emphasized that Member States must provide peace missions with adequate capabilities to implement their mandates. This is a highly pertinent emphasis worthy of the particular attention of Governments and the United Nations. "Adequate capabilities" should include water and electric-power specialists. Most Member States with highly developed military systems have skilled military specialists trained to deliver Vital services, including drilling, water distribution, sanitation, power production and distribution.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“In that regard again, the policy guidance and specific actions taken or authorized by the Security Council will be of great importance. Let me now turn to another aspect of the linkage between water, peace and security. Water sources and water installations are among the major areas of concern for peace operations and in the context of peacebuilding - both of which are fundamental tasks of the United Nations. Obviously, the defence of civilians, robust defence if necessary, has become part of the doctrine of United Nations peacekeeping. Defending civilians and the mandates of peace operations strengthens the credibility and legitimacy of the peacekeeping in the eyes of the people whom the United Nations has to serve. The recent report (see S/2015/446) ofthe High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations is very clear on that.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“The compelling nature of assistance to legitimate defence of the affected civilian populations and of effective protection of water resources and installations is closely related to the entire future of international humanitarian law. The increasingly internal and increasingly chaotic armed conflicts of our era have generated violations of humanitarian law that were unimaginable in the past. The weakening of the authority ofhumanitarian law needs to be stopped. New norms are not urgently necessary, although improvements in legal architecture are always welcome. The more immediate need is to strengthen the effectiveness of existing norms on the protection of civilians and to find ways of ensuring compliance.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“The principles of proportionality of the use of military force and distinction between military and non-military objects provide the legal framework for such assistance. Although it might not be possible to authorize each and every action, it should be within the reach of the Security Council to convey a sense of legitimacy to those military actions whose sole purpose is the protection of water sources and installations that are vital for civilian populations. Again, the principles of proportionality of the use of military force and distinction between military and non-military objects would be an essential platform for such an assessment.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Their long-term presence in affected areas and their familiarity with both water situations and local actors in water management are indeed key assets that have to be recognized and, as appropriate, protected. However, the efforts of local and international humanitarian organizations and specialists to ensure the functioning of water infrastructure during armed conflicts may not always suffice. They may require additional means, including diplomatic and - yes - military means. Obviously, that opens up a set of difficult questions, in particular in situations of urban armed conflicts. Difficult, but not necessarily impossible. Defence of water for the civilian populations by the affected populations themselves is a legitimate form of self-defence and can be legitimately assisted by military means.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“The Council has since been engaged in deciding on "appropriate measures" in response to situations where civilians are targeted or where humanitarian assistance is being deliberately obstructed. While the results of those efforts have so far been mixed, the direction is clearly correct. The Security Council deserves all support in its efforts to protect civilians. The question today is how to increase the effectiveness of those efforts, including in matters concerning water supply to civilian populations in armed conflicts. Clearly, humanitarian organizations with long experience of working in conditions of armed conflict, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross, deserve every support. In particular, they have to be supported in their cooperation with local actors in protecting water resources and water installations.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Expert studies on contemporary armed conflicts suggest that water is seldom the single cause of armed conflict. However, water issues are often among the important contributing factors. Moreover, water usually becomes a military and strategic tool during an armed conflict, a weapon of war that most often affects civilian populations. It is in that context that some of the most serious concerns arise. Historically, the Security Council has accumulated vast experience in addressing the dangers affecting civilian populations in situations of armed conflict. Ever since resolution 1265 (1999) was adopted, the protection of civilians has been one of the main themes in the Council's decision-making.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“However, that activity has been mostly concentrated on technical, environmental and legal questions, and only indirectly addresses the fundamental political and security aspects. Now the time has come to address the political and security aspects of water cooperation more directly, in the Security Council and in the General Assembly. I would like to emphasize that the Security Council can play a critically important role - as a decision-maker with the proven ability to innovate and as a catalyst that brings an important political message to the other parts of the United Nations system. Those are some of the basic considerations. In addition, there are specific aspects of the links between water, peace and security that affect the daily work of the Security Council. Allow me, therefore, to briefly refer to some of those aspects.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“However, it is important to understand that good practices exist and that they should be encouraged globally. They include voluntary codes of practice on water management involving a variety of stakeholders. Such codes of practice should be encouraged and, as appropriate, assisted. The Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace is studying the existing practices and will be prepared to share its findings with the appropriate United Nations bodies. Fourthly, the United Nations system has been dealing with various water issues for a long time now. The coordination ofthose activities is organized through the UN-Water mechanism, which brings together all the relevant United Nations organs, funds and agencies.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“This, too, is an important political priority. The international financial institutions and private investors have an important role to play. The idea of setting up a special blue fund at the global level will be explained in a short while by the President of the Strategic Foresight Group, Mr. Sundeep Waslekar. I believe that idea has to be given particular attention. Thirdly, in its preventive mode the United Nations has to be attentive to intersectoral cooperation relating to water use aimed at reducing tensions and the potential for violent conflicts. Quite naturally, sovereign States exercise their sovereign powers in that regard. Therefore, international cooperation has to be in full accordance with the sovereign rights of States.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“First, while the transboundary mechanisms of water cooperation are well known and historically tested, they are still relatively few in number. Out of the 263 shared river basins, involving 145 States in the world, only 84 have joint water management bodies. Some of those institutions are not very effective. Clearly, political support for additional international cooperation in this domain is needed, and much of that political support can be generated by the United Nations, in particular by the General Assembly and the Security Council. Such support would be particularly timely now with regard to new initiatives such as the Congo River Basin Blue Fund, which is gaining momentum at present. Secondly, political support for transboundary water cooperation arrangements has to be complemented by financial incentives.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“(spoke in English) Recent United Nations reports have repeatedly emphasized the importance of the prevention of armed conflicts and preventive diplomacy more generally. Transboundary water cooperation is a prime example of a potentially powerful tool for long-term prevention, as explained a few minutes ago by the Secretary-General. Countries with developed mechanisms of water cooperation seldom resort to war. Moreover, water cooperation has a significant stabilizing effect on those areas within States that are benefiting from cooperative water management installations. Other briefers today will discuss the experience and potential of water cooperation for stability and peace in some detail. On my part, I wish to emphasize four fundamental points.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Today, Senegalese President Macky Sall and his counterparts from those three neighbouring countries have capitalized on this legacy. This experience is also a source of inspiration at the global level. It contributed to the establishment of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, which I have the honour to chair. The Panel was established in November 2015 at the initiative of 15 States Members of the United Nations, including my country, Slovenia, and will present its report in September next year. The Panel's objective is to propose concrete recommendations that could be implemented. The aim of our efforts is not only to understand the problem, but also to assist in the search for solutions. The guiding idea of our work is the prevention of armed conflict.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Today, the Security Council is meeting, for the first time in its history, to debate the issues of water, peace and security. It is a great honour to be able to address the Council as Chair of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace. It is very important that this discussion be being led by you, Sir, and by Senegal, a country that has developed an effective model of active and peaceful cooperation with its neighbouring countries, particularly in the field of transboundary cooperation on water. I pay tribute to Senegal and to Mr. Leopold Senghor, its late President, who several decades ago persuaded the Heads of State of Guinea, Mali and Mauritania to found the Senegal River Basin Development Organization.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Now, at the beginning of a new period of peacebuilding, the United Nations system has developed additional elements, some of which were suggested in my briefing today as well as in my previous briefings. The foundations established thus far give us reason to believe that, at this new stage, the United Nations system, with the support of donor countries, will again be able to help.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“The current process towards peace, which started with the Burnham process of 1997, the Lincoln Agreement of 1998 and the Bougainville Peace Agreement of 2001, offered an opportunity for healing. In conformity with Bougainvillean traditions, reconciliation and restorative justice have been essential. For the United Nations this was a learning experience, one which taught us a great deal about post-conflict peacebuilding and the need to fully respect and incorporate local cultures and traditions. The United Nations became part of the process of what was termed "breaking spears and mending hearts", the description of peacebuilding offered by Pat Howley, an eminent author and educator well known to Bougainvilleans, as well as in other parts of the South Pacific.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“The Secretary-General stands ready to provide further assistance to the parties in the post-conflict peacebuilding phase in Bougainville. Today is also a good moment to reflect briefly upon the entire United Nations experience in Bougainville. The war in Bougainville was little noticed but brutal. About 15,000 people lost their lives in the conflict in 1980s and 1990s - a heavy toll on a population of about 160,000 at that time. The conflict started over the use of natural resources but developed features seen in many parts of the world in that period: violence against citizens, lack of respect for humanitarian law, a mixture of military and criminal objectives and, above all, suffering of innocent people.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“Another United Nations agency, the United Nations Population Fund, is working through the National Planning and Rural Development Department to assist the Government's planning department to analyse population trends, while the United Nations Development Fund for Women will be training female delegates on leadership and other skills. I have given a brief outline of the activities that I expect in the future. But before concluding, I would like to express our appreciation to the members of the Council for the support given to the United Nations Political Office and its successor, the United Nations Observer Mission in Bougainville, in the implementation of its mandate. It has been a successful cooperative effort at the international, regional, national and local levels.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“It will also be expanding e-mail communications, using existing radios for connections rather than phone lines. Similar systems have already been effectively introduced in Solomon Islands. UNICEF has begun to implement basic education, child protection and health and nutrition programmes with strong HIV/AIDS components. Projects will be developed to contribute to increasing access to schooling, especially for women. UNICEF will facilitate community-based efforts to reduce child abuse and HIV/AIDS discrimination. In addition, a range of sanitation, nutrition, malaria, maternity-care and immunization projects will be developed in communities where leaders request such assistance.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“Bougainvillean members of Parliament will be offered awareness programmes on the importance of the House of Representatives as an institution of accountability. Technical assistance will also be provided in setting up a parliamentary committee system. Another UNDP project will deal with planning and community support. The project will address local governance and leadership issues by working with the councils of elders, young people, women and other local institutions. Emphasis will be placed on the sustainability of local institutions and their integration with the administration. Direct support will also be given to key community institutions that are responsible for maintaining law and order. UNDP will assist small farmers with organization, extension, market access and policy formulation.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is now taking the lead to help the administration develop a donor coordination system. The system would aim at avoiding duplication and making assistance more efficient. Any new effort would have to complement existing assistance. The forthcoming donors dialogue on Bougainville, which is to be held in Papua New Guinea this fall, should lay a good basis for closer cooperation between donors and the Bougainville administration in meeting its economic priorities. UNDP, in cooperation with the Australian Agency for International Development, plans to provide training for the offices of the Clerk and the Speaker, so that practices and procedures are understood and followed in accordance with constitutional, legal and other requirements.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“In his inauguration speech, President Kabui indicated the intention of his Government to start negotiations with the national Government and the Bougainville Copper Limited mining company on the transfer of the company's assets and prospecting authority to the Autonomous Bougainville Government as soon as practical. Given the sensitivity of the involvement of Bougainville Copper Limited in Bougainville, the Government may in the future hold wide consultations with the people on the potential resumption of exploration and mining operations. For the time being, agriculture - mainly cocoa and copra production and forestry - offers the best option for immediate sustainable gains in employment. I should now like to say a few words about donor coordination and United Nations programmes in Bougainville for the future.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“The small-group structure of Bougainville society lends itself to local institutions that can maintain law and order and promote human rights. Reliance on local government institutions will maintain the peace and reconciliation process among Bougainvilleans. The economy of Bougainville is currently subsistence-based, with some primary agricultural and marine exports. Without major mining operations, there is little prospect of meeting the high expectations of the people regarding better government services and improved living standards.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“One third of the administration's income comes from donors, and the remainder comes from the national Government and aid schemes. The administration is collecting only about 1.5 per cent of its total revenue. The Autonomous Bougainville Government is presently running a deficit. Overall, about 50 per cent of the budget is used for salaries. One of the immediate priorities for the Government is to retrench public-service costs by eliminating 154 posts, which retrenchment depends on 1.3 million kina -the local currency - equal to approximately $450,000, for redundancy pay. In building its capacity, the Government is going to pay more attention to traditional authority and customary ways at the grassroots level, especially through invigorating the role of the councils of elders.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“The challenges of meeting the high expectations of the people, reforming the administration, improving revenue collection, improving infrastructure and dealing with the dynamic relationship with the national Government - among other matters - require continued support from the United Nations and other international actors. The Bougainville administration is aware of the complexity of the challenges it is facing. It is in the process of developing a coherent development plan for the whole region. The plan needs to be realistic and based on available resources. The Bougainville Economic Development Task Force is already working on it. The administration expects that the plan will change the current situation when policies and decision-making on development and implementation are donor-driven.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“In accordance with the Agreement and the Papua New Guinea Constitution, the final decision on the outcome of the referendum will be left to the Papua New Guinea Parliament and to subsequent consultations with the Autonomous Bougainville Government. The Autonomous Bougainville Government has a unique opportunity to redesign the administration and the region's laws, to improve service delivery and to allow economic development to occur in the newly established Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The success of the elections and the current unity of the newly formed Government provide a strong base.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“Although it is up to the Autonomous Bougainville Government to decide and plan its priorities, the national and Autonomous Governments intend to work together to address the challenges ahead through consultation and cooperation at the appropriate levels. Following the completion of the weapons disposal plan and the current implementation of the autonomous arrangements, there remains the third main pillar of the Peace Agreement - the holding of a referendum on Bougainville's future political status in another 10 to 15 years. Responsibility for the conduct of the referendum will be shared between the Bougainville and national Governments. Included in the referendum will be the choice of separate independence for Bougainville.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“With the dissolution of the Peace Process Consultative Committee and the closing down of the United Nations Observer Mission in Bougainville, the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Papua New Guinea national Government will deal with matters related to the implementation of the Peace Agreement and the relevant provisions of the National Constitution through already established procedures. Mechanisms are in place - including the Joint Supervisory Body, which will supervise and check on the implementation of the autonomy arrangements - to resolve any disputes that might emerge between the parties.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“They have come with a strong mandate for change towards a more locally oriented approach that recognizes human rights and focuses on meeting basic needs at the grass-roots level. On 14 June 2005, the parties to the Peace Agreement convened the final meeting of the Peace Process Consultative Committee. The Committee resolved that its objectives under the Lincoln and Bougainville peace agreements had been achieved. The parties agreed to dissolve the Committee and, in doing so, expressed their sincere appreciation for the chairmanship, guidance and support of the United Nations Observer Mission in Bougainville. Following the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the relations between the national and Bougainville Governments will now be managed through the permanent Joint Supervisory Body.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“As declared by the international observers, the outcome of the elections accurately reflects the will of the people of Bougainville. The elections last month were conducted by a non-preferential single-vote system. In subsequent elections, in accordance with the Bougainville Constitution, a preferential voting system will be used. Of the 112,000 voters enlisted on the common roll, 69,343 cast their ballots. That constitutes 62 per cent of the whole electorate. The presidential campaign was convincingly won by Mr. Joseph C. Kabui, former President of the Bougainville People's Congress. He received close to 15,000 more votes than the runner-up, former Governor John Momis. Many elected members of the House of Representatives are relatively young and new to politics.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“The Australian Federal Police programme in Bougainville also contributed to the process through the provision of additional helicopter hours to the Bougainville election manager. International observers from Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu, as well as representatives of the Commonwealth and Pacific Islands Forum secretariats, concluded that the elections had been conducted in accordance with the electoral laws. They were impartially and professionally managed, thereby ensuring the overall integrity of the electoral process. Despite some minor reported incidents, all eligible Bougainvilleans were given the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in a calm and peaceful environment.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“I should now like to say a few words about the election. The national Government of Papua New Guinea, in concurrence with the Bougainville leaders, requested the United Nations to coordinate the work of the international electoral observers invited by the Papa New Guinea Government. The United Nations election coordination unit set up in response to that request gave extensive briefings to the observers prior to their deployment in Bougainville and, in close cooperation with the United Nations Observer Mission, facilitated their movement by helicopter to 29 of the 33 constituencies throughout the three regions of Bougainville - north, central and south. United Nations support in airlifting polling boxes, electoral officers and observers proved to be crucial to the election, ensuring its timely and orderly conduct.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“By its letter of 19 May, UNOMB informed the parties to the Bougainville Peace Agreement that the weapons disposal plan incorporated into the Agreement had been implemented. Of a total of 2,016 weapons kept in containers, 1,896 were destroyed. UNOMB collected and destroyed an additional 155 weapons, bringing the total to 2,051 weapons. UNOMB made the determination that a substantial level of compliance by the parties with the implementation of the plan had been achieved and that, consequently, the security situation on the ground was conducive to holding the elections as planned. The parties agreed that it would be up to the Autonomous Bougainville Government to address the issue of the remaining weapons that had not been placed in containers or that had been stolen out of them during the implementation of phases II and III of the plan.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“Mr. Tiirk: The Security Council has considered this item many times over the past seven years, most recently on 7 April 2005. Today I am pleased to report, on behalf of the Secretary-General, that the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Bougainville (UNOMB), Papua New Guinea, has been fully implemented. The parties have now made a critical - perhaps the most significant - step in the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. All of us at the United Nations should feel proud that we have been able to help. In my briefing today, I will summarize the main developments that have taken place since 7 April 2005 and will highlight the challenges facing the Autonomous Bougainville Government, which was inaugurated on 15 June 2005. Let me begin with the subject of weapons disposal.”
2005-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5222 (2005) · source
“Benchmarks for success will include a greater degree of international burden- sharing, a positive impact on the situation on the ground and an effective follow-up process. Both inside and outside Iraq, there is no shortage of financial resources, advice, expertise and goodwill to support the Iraqi people in their historic endeavour. Both Iraq and the international community have no option but to succeed. It behoves all concerned - the new Iraqi Government, the multinational force, this Council and the United Nations - to rise to our shared responsibility to ensure the full implementation of resolution 1546 (2004). Only through a broad-based, concerted approach by all relevant actors will we develop the necessary partnership with Iraq to help it regain its rightful place in the international community.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“In doing so, Special Representative Qazi and his UNAMI staff deserve the full support of the Security Council and the General Assembly. The report also comes on the eve of a major international conference on Iraq to be held on 22 June in Brussels. This is the latest in a series of regional and international initiatives, including the Sharm el-Sheikh ministerial gathering of November 2004, all of which helped to maintain attention on the need for the reconstruction process outlined in resolution 1546 (2004) to succeed. It provides a new opportunity for the international community to widen and deepen consensus in support of Iraq's transition and the role of the United Nations.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“The report makes clear that, although a great deal of progress has been made in cooperation with the multinational force in terms of security and support arrangements, UNAMI continues to face severe constraints that could potentially affect the planned expansion of our activities in Iraq. UNAMI has already demonstrated that effectiveness can be achieved with limited capacity on the ground. Our willingness to deliver on expectations of the United Nations, both inside and outside Iraq, must necessarily be tempered by a realistic assessment of prevailing security and operational conditions. Consistent with our approach since the return of UNAMI to Iraq, we will continue to make every effort to determine how prevailing circumstances can enable, rather than limit, UNAMI in the implementation of its tasks.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“Ultimately, in order for security initiatives to yield the enduring results intended, they need to form part of a broader credible political process that can address the underlying political problems. Two years after the demise of the former regime, it is also imperative for the new Government, with the support of the international community, to deliver basic services effectively and to do more to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights so that all Iraqis can live free from fear and in dignity. Having accompanied the Iraqi people and Government thus far in their efforts, the United Nations is determined to continue to implement its mandate under resolution 1546 (2004) to the fullest extent possible, as circumstances permit.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“As in many other situations around the world, the coordinating role of the United Nations represents an example of added value in the context of international efforts to help. All those efforts are taking place within a security environment that remains extremely challenging. Of particular concern is the increasingly sectarian logic that appears to be inspiring much of the violence. Our paramount concern is that innocent Iraqi civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence and the use of force. No cause can ever justify terrorist acts that maim and kill innocent men, women and children. At the same time, it is incumbent upon all parties to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure that the use of force is minimized in order to avoid civilian casualties.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“Promises of better lives must translate into real improvement for Iraqis. The United Nations, through creative arrangements with Iraqi implementing partners and on the basis of Iraqi priorities, continues to deliver its reconstruction and development assistance inside Iraq, including in the key areas of governance, human development and poverty reduction, health, education and rural development. An increased focus on institutional capacity-building at the various levels of government is contributing to the improved management of public affairs. UNAMI is also stepping up its efforts to play an enhanced aid coordination role between international donors and designated Iraqi authorities.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“A new Chief Electoral Officer has been appointed to direct UNAMI's electoral team. We are aware that the timing and the substance of the new constitution may have a profound impact on electoral preparations, especially as may pertain to new electoral legislation. As was the case for the January elections, substantial international assistance will be required for a successful referendum and successful elections. In order for the transition to succeed, advances in the political process will need to be complemented by tangible improvements in the reconstruction, development and humanitarian areas. After so many years of deprivation, Iraqi citizens are now looking to their leaders to deliver the dividends of their vote in terms of basic services, employment and living conditions.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“If handled right, it can produce a broadly acceptable constitutional framework for durable peace and stability. At the request of the Iraqi Government, Special Representative Qazi and UNAMI will continue to work closely with Iraqi representatives to help facilitate dialogue and consensus-building among Iraqi parties and promote a constitutional process that is procedurally and substantively inclusive, participatory and transparent. UNAMI is also increasingly coordinating international assistance to the constitutional process. At the same time, we are putting in place the necessary capacity for UNAMI to continue supporting the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and other relevant authorities with regard to planning, training and operational requirements for the upcoming referendum and elections.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“Ashraf Qazi, and his team in the Office of Constitutional Support of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) were able to help in facilitating the agreement in principle reached today between the Constitutional Drafting Committee of the Transitional National Assembly and representatives of the Sunni Arab community to expand the Drafting Committee by 15 new members and 10 experts. We hope that that breakthrough will now enable the Iraqis to make progress in drafting their new constitution on time. Flexibility and the capacity to compromise will be required on the part of all - obviously a tall order in Iraq. The process through which the constitution is to emerge is therefore as important as its content and its completion on time.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“Only by ensuring the confidence of Iraqi constituencies in the process can their key concerns be addressed and accommodated. That obviously is not a new realization. The United Nations has worked consistently for an inclusive political process in Iraq ever since our political presence was established two years ago. It continues to be essential that all intensify their efforts to reach out to one another and to develop relations of trust through dialogue and consensus- building. The new Government and Assembly have a mandate from the Iraqi people to continue to engage all citizens and political groups, particularly among those who continue to feel disenfranchised. In that regard, we are pleased that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“On the other hand, political minorities have an equal responsibility to contribute to the democratic process and to support the national reconstruction effort. Those goals are difficult to achieve. They are particularly difficult to achieve in countries such as Iraq, where ethnic and religions loyalties play an essential role in the shaping of political choices. For that reason, the report emphasizes that the inclusion of all constituencies, public participation and transparency in the political process and its responsiveness to the key demands of all political constituencies constitute a sine qua non for the credibility and, therefore, the success of the transition process. A credible political process will be crucial to maintain the necessary political momentum to carry Iraq through the remainder of the transition process.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source
“That is why it is important for Iraq's new Transitional Government and Transitional National Assembly to preserve the initial achievements and address, most seriously, the challenges ahead as Iraq moves forward into the next steps of its transition. Many inside and outside Iraq see the political transition process as having entered a decisive phase in the process of national reconciliation. Our experience around the world demonstrates that national reconciliation requires a constructive relationship between the majority in power and political minorities. Democratic processes are most successful when the majority allows minorities the full exercise of their political rights and the opportunity to contribute to the governance and reconstruction of their country.”
2005-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5204 (2005) · source