YouSaid · the spoken record

Urbina

lines on the record: 774
first: 2007-10-23
most recent: 2010-03-19
sittings or episodes: 103
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We believe it is time that the Council, together with the Secretariat and the General Assembly - in particular the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations - develop clear civilian protection guidelines that could be translated into realistic standards applicable to peacekeeping troops in combat situations. The need for that was clearly indicated by the Council in resolution 1674 (2006). Furthermore, it is absolutely essential that peacekeeping missions be appropriately structured and, as Mr. Holmes pointed out, provided with the equipment and technology they need to duly carry out their civilian protection mandates, particularly in cases in which greater resources are urgently needed to expand monitoring, information-gathering and patrolling activities in conflict zones where there is an imminent danger of attacks against civilians.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“We stress the importance of clear civilian protection mandates as a key aspect in the design and composition of peacekeeping missions, as well as the need for clear guides and standards for military intervention in order to permit effective protection of the civilian population. In that regard, my delegation supports the Secretary-General's recommendation, set out in his 20 October 2008 report on the Sudan (S/2008/662), that the Security Council consider holding a thorough debate on provisions related to the protection of civilians in imminent danger. We have listened to and share the concerns repeatedly expressed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the troop-contributing countries and the humanitarian community regarding the lack of clarity in civilian protection mandates.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Moreover, we believe that the expert group on the protection of civilians is a valuable opportunity to lend continuity to the analysis and discussion of this issue. The Council must respond swiftly and decisively to crises. Civilian protection must be provided at the outset in efforts to achieve a cessation of hostilities and to negotiate peace. At all times, we must urge the cooperation of all parties to a conflict in order to create areas of security, neutral zones or humanitarian corridors that will make it possible to evacuate or provide assistance to the affected populations. We also highlight the vital importance of safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance, which is a fundamental prerequisite for its effective provision.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Likewise, the building and strengthening of national capacities in judicial matters, security sector reform and rule of law reform are all major pillars of conflict prevention strategies. In the area of early warning, the Council must continuously have timely, comprehensive and updated information on matters relating to the protection of civilians, particularly on the identification of situations that involve imminent risks for civilian populations. That is why we emphasize the importance of this item being included systematically in the reports and recommendations of the Secretary-General in consideration of specific situations, most importantly when it comes to the establishment, revision and renewal of peacekeeping mission mandates.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“In order to overcome those challenges, we also believe that the Security Council must invest greater efforts in three key areas: the prevention of conflicts and of their recurrence, early warning systems, and rapid and effective responses to situations specifically threatening civilian populations. Human security is multidimensional and comprehensive. In this understanding, insecurity in any of its dimensions has an affect on a situation in its entirety. That is why we must continue to address the deep-rooted causes that lead to conflicts, and above all to prevent their recurrence. In this respect, we believe it necessary to continue strengthening initiatives such as the Peacebuilding Commission, a useful instrument of great potential, in order to prevent the recurrence of conflict.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“That is why we believe that any incident in which civilian populations are primarily affected must be investigated with a View to holding to account those who have violated the standards that prevail in conflict situations. When the Security Council debates the protection of civilians, it does so in a very specific context and language. This is neither an academic forum, nor a body geared exclusively towards political deliberation or debate. This debate, as with all held by the Security Council, must be an instrument to guide and to facilitate specific decision-making. That is why the challenges facing us are primarily of a practical nature, requiring more international cooperation and greater coordination between the Security Council and other bodies and agencies of the Organization.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“That is why we vehemently reject the conduct of those who use situations of armed conflict as an excuse to ignore standards such as the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets or the principle of proportionality in the use of force. We condemn indiscriminate attacks and the unlimited use of arms that cause excessive damage, retaliation against defenceless populations and belligerent actions that bypass the necessary precautions to minimize the impact of conflicts on civilian populations. In recent years, we have been concerned by the growing number of civilian casualties, which become the "collateral damage" of military operations. This euphemism is not a moral or legal excuse to justify the harm caused to civilian populations.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, and your delegation for having convened this important debate. I would also like to thank Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for his briefing today. The protection of civilians encompasses a set of principles, standards and policies aimed at diminishing the impact of conflicts on people who do not participate directly in them. Unfortunately, however, those people are their main victims. When we talk about the protection of civilians, we generally speak about an attachment to legality and respect for international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“We harbour the hope that the Council will also be consistent with the decision it has taken today and that it will use its authority in order to ensure respect for that decision. I hardly need say that my delegation will work with all other members of the Council to make an effective contribution to peace and well-being for all inhabitants of the Middle East.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6063 (2009) · source
“The Council has adopted a resolution calling on the parties to the conflict to bring about an immediate cessation of hostilities. The resolution unequivocally reflects the overwhelming resolve of the international community, which has followed the work of the Council with great attention. It is appropriate now to underscore the legally binding nature of this resolution. Compliance by all parties to the conflict is mandatory. The parties must understand clearly that failure to comply could, and should, entail serious consequences. My delegation has advocated that the Security Council should make an active contribution to peace in the Middle East. Today, I believe that we are contributing to the attainment of that lofty goal.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6063 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): As we said only two days ago, resolution 1850 (2008) and the President's statement to the press of 28 December 2008 (see press release SC/9559) were not sufficient to halt the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the escalation of violence and their appalling consequences for the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. Nor were they sufficient to ease the fear experienced by the Israeli population because of the launching of rockets into their territory by Palestinian factions, including Hamas militants. Today, after much apprehension and travail, the Council has adopted a resolution which, while not having received all the necessary political support, has tremendous moral force.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6063 (2009) · source
“Finally, I would like to thank UNHCR and its staff all over the world for their work. We recognize that in many cases they must care for years for those who have nowhere else to go to assure their continued existence. I stress the need for our support to be extended to efforts to prevent and effectively resolve the conflicts that are the cause of the displacement and suffering witnessed by the High Commission and other United Nations agencies on a daily basis.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“It is absolutely indispensable that peacekeeping missions in situations, such as those in Darfur or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, be suitably structured and provided with the equipment and technology necessary to duly comply with their mandate to protect civilians. In conclusion, strengthening coordination between the political, humanitarian and military dimensions is critical not just to guarantee the security of aid personnel and the humanitarian space necessary to care for refugees and displaced persons, but also to adequately transition from the early stages, where priorities lie in the realm of safety, protection and covering basic needs, towards recovery and the re-establishment of order and the rule of law in order to guarantee the respect and promotion of human rights.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Those occur in conjunction with the typical problems and needs in the spheres of health and education that perpetuate and exacerbate the vulnerabilities already exposed by forced displacement. Today, we stress the importance of strong mandates to protect civilians as a key aspect in the design and composition of peacekeeping missions, as well as the need for clear guidelines that enable effective protection throughout the whole displacement cycle, from evacuation to the provisional establishment of camps for refugees and internally displaced persons. We need greater resources to expand surveillance, information collection and patrols in areas of conflict where there is considerable risk of attacks against civilians.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“It is clear that both the old and the new challenges that we face today are essentially of a practical nature. In this context, there is an obvious need to make greater efforts in early warning and rapid and decisive responses to crises. This work should involve the United Nations and its agencies, in close cooperation with the Security Council. We are seriously concerned by current trends whereby displacement is no longer a phenomenon linked only to conflict but has become a military strategy and a terrorist tactic. It is alarming to note the persistence of military and bandit attacks on refugee camps and the increase in sexual violence, arms trafficking and the recruitment of children that frequently take place within the camps themselves.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“For that reason, the protection of civilians should always be the highest focus of political strategy in any effort to settle conflicts and a key element in post- conflict actions and in peacebuilding processes. It is necessary at all times to ensure the cooperation of all parties to a conflict in order to create areas of security, neutral zones or humanitarian corridors that will permit either evacuation or the distribution of aid to the affected populations. While we emphasize the importance of permitting access to those who require refuge and the responsibility of complying with international obligations, especially with the principle of non-expulsion or non-refoulement, we acknowledge the need for greater international cooperation in those countries that have received huge flows of refugees.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“These painful circumstances have enabled us to clearly understand the links between forced displacement and peacekeeping, especially in situations where mass displacements threaten the stability of the places of origin, transit and destination and which represent a huge challenge for the effective protection of people throughout the displacement cycle. For that reason, my delegation understands that the evolution and complexity of this issue require it to be placed in the wider context of the protection of civilians, where respect for international law, international cooperation and timely and decisive action by the United Nations are essential. When we speak of the protection of civilians, we are essentially speaking about respect for legality and international law.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“We are all partly responsible for this. Those who raise their voices to criticize actions today remained silent on other actions of the past. For that reason, Mr. Guterres's briefing should serve as a wake-up call for us to review our actions in depth. Despite its small geographic size, Costa Rica was a refuge for many thousands of people who fled from wars in Central America throughout the 1980s, and we continue to receive significant inflows of people today who have been forced to flee their countries of origin.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Those hundreds of thousands of people, about whom Mr. Guterres has spoken to us today, are first the victims of the actions of some and then victims of the inaction of others. Just as Gaza cries out for concrete action, effective responses and sustainable and rapid solutions, the displaced and the refugees in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic, Somalia, Georgia, Afghanistan, Iraq and, unfortunately, many other regions in the world demand from us comprehensive, serious, responsible and courageous treatment. We have said this before, but will never tire of repeating it. While there remain on the Council outright defenders of those whose actions cause the forced displacement of whole populations, we shall continue to be part of the problem and not of the solution.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“When the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was set up more than 50 years ago, it was believed that a temporary mandate would be enough to address the situation of people displaced by the war in Europe. Today, we know that we were mistaken. Forced displacement has not only been a constant and insidiously perpetuated phenomenon, but has also become increasingly complex and global, requiring the permanent attention of this Organization. The situation in Gaza, which still has us on tenterhooks, testifies to the magnitude of the challenges facing the international community. Those who seek refuge or who are displaced by a conflict become double victims every time the international community in general and the Council in particular fail to solve the conflicts that force them to abandon their homes.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): We welcome the convening of this meeting and the detailed briefing just given by Mr. Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The information he conveyed today is of essential importance in our opinion, and we believe that such briefings should become common practice as they enable the Council and the members of the Organization to keep abreast of the situation of refugees in general and in the field. Our attention to specific circumstances should not distract us from the need to periodically analyse the situation in general, which would allow us to evaluate our own actions in the medium and the long terms and to take corrective measures when necessary.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“As we have said before, we are concerned about the recourse to collective punishment as a response, for it violates international law under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Today, Costa Rica calls for a ceasefire that will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities. We believe that the Council must, as a priority, ensure fulfilment of the parties' obligations under the Road Map, the relevant Council resolutions and international law. Our delegation is committed to working on the basis of the proposal submitted to us. We would like to see it improved so that it can receive broad support, and we will strive to achieve an unequivocal statement by the Council.”
2008-12-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6060 (2008) · source
“No one denies that there will be no solution and no peace so long as the occupation continues and international law is not respected, including international conventions and the resolutions of the Council. It seems to us important to reiterate that, given what is currently happening in the Middle East, the Council cannot remain indifferent and still be relevant. It is also necessary to reiterate that there is a need to respect the Rome Statute and the relevant Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, so as to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian goods. The parties to the conflict must always make a distinction between civilians and combatants and between civilian goods and military goals. Along the same lines, we believe that attacks on both Israeli and Palestinian territory are equally to be condemned.”
2008-12-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6060 (2008) · source
“Such a pointless undertaking leads only to the point of departure, while the number of dead and wounded continues to mount. Israel and Palestine should not be a proving ground for intellectual preferences or political games. For more than half a century, the lands of Israel and Palestine have called for a reaffirmation of the principles upon which the United Nations was founded, as well as the implementation of policies that neither ignore nor contravene those principles. Justice and Israel's security should not be incompatible goals. As always, the question today is how to halt the current escalation of violence that is undermining every hope to see two States living side by side in peace, while furthering the well-being of their peoples. No one is blind to what a solution to the Middle East conflict requires.”
2008-12-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6060 (2008) · source
“Costa Rica agrees with the judgement of the Secretary-General that Israel's military activities in the Gaza Strip have been disproportionate. Those activities have resulted in the death of more than 350 persons, including a significant number of civilians. As we have said before, legitimate self-defence does not sanction reprisals such as those carried out by Israel in its attacks of recent days and its months-long blockade against the Palestinian civilian population, which has resulted in shortages, hunger and economic collapse. We understand Israel's security concerns. In that regard, Costa Rica has repeatedly condemned, as it does today, the terrorist attacks against southern Israel. However, apart from that tragic situation, we urge avoiding the temptation to engage in an argument about who began this new descent into madness.”
2008-12-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6060 (2008) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin by welcoming the presence among us of the Secretary-General, whose statement we very much appreciate. We have also listened very carefully to the statements made by the Permanent Observer of Palestine and the Permanent Representative of Israel. We thank them both for their interventions. Costa Rica would like to express its appreciation for the convening of this meeting in the light of the gravity of the current situation in the Middle East, especially in Gaza and southern Israel. We believe that the urgency of the reality on the ground required the immediate holding of a public meeting of the Council and calls for a firm response by this organ. We hope that the Council will take relevant action that will be respected by the parties.”
2008-12-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6060 (2008) · source
“Third, my delegation would like to underscore the aspects of MONUC'S mandate related to the arms embargo and the illicit trafficking in natural resources. We hope to continue to receive information on what is being done in that sphere, in particular on the possible additional measures that the Mission could take to strengthen its supervision, inspection and monitoring role under the sanctions regime and the arms embargo. By way of conclusion, I welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium to the Council, to whom we extend our greetings.”
2008-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6055 (2008) · source
“This resolution states quite clearly that the duty of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) is to protect civilians, including from the Forces Armees de la Republique De'mocratique du Congo (FARDC) elements, if such situations arise. Secondly, I would like to underscore the duty of Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take all necessary measures to ensure that members of its armed forces comply with their duty to protect the civilian population and not to threaten it. The Council's appeal, in paragraph 22, has been stated in previous resolutions, but it must be underscored here. The Congolese authorities have an obligation to take into account past behaviour with regard to human rights, when deciding on candidates for official posts in their security forces.”
2008-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6055 (2008) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): We have asked for the floor to provide a brief explanation of the perspective from which we will vote. In general, my country is pleased with the resolution. We would like to highlight three very important points. First of all, it is important that the resolution reaffirmed that the main priority of the Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is to protect the civilian population. In that regard, we would like to underscore the importance of this resolution stating that the Mission must protect the civilians from violence committed by any of the parties engaged in the conflict. In recent months we have noted with serious concern that violence has been perpetrated against civilians by some renegade elements of the Democratic Republic of the Congo armed forces.”
2008-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6055 (2008) · source
“We also thank all other delegations that have contributed through their flexibility to enabling the adoption of a resolution on such a complicated subject, especially to the benefit of the 2.5 million people whose daily lives have been affected. Finally, we commend the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for its stabilizing presence, in particular in Mogadishu. We believe it important for the international community to provide the necessary financial and logistical support to strengthen AMISOM so as to ensure that it can effectively meet its responsibilities, without prejudice to any decision to be taken shortly by the United Nations on how to maintain its presence in Somalia.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the initiatives of countries of the region and international organizations such as NATO to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, in compliance with the relevant resolutions and applicable international law. We therefore welcome the recent deployment of the naval Operation Atalanta by the European Union to protect the maritime convoys of the World Food Programme transporting humanitarian assistance to Somalia and other vulnerable vessels, and to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia. We urge those countries that are able to do so to join in those efforts. We should also like to commend the delegation of the United States for preparing a unanimous resolution on such a complex issue through dedicated and painstaking work and flexibility.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“We believe that respect for those principles and mindfulness to the requests of the Somali Government and the express consent of that Government to every action that is decided must be our points of departure when formulating the appropriate response in the fight against piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia, in accordance with international law and, in particular, with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. My delegation believes that any initiative relating to maritime security must be supported by joint and coordinated international technical assistance to Somalia, neighbouring coastal States and the region.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“We agree that there is an urgent need to stem the threat posed by piracy and armed robbery in Somalia to maritime transport, international trade and, above all, humanitarian relief for more than 2.5 million people. At the same time, we are aware that, while anarchy persists in that country, all the acts of violence we have seen on a daily basis will continue. My country respects the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“Today, we have adopted yet another resolution broadening the scope of implementation of measures to combat piracy in Somali territory and adding measures for the gathering of evidence and the prosecution of the perpetrators of those acts. In stressing the issue of piracy, we have almost forgotten the efforts to address the fundamental issue of creating the conditions necessary to improving the political, security and humanitarian situations in Somalia. In that regard, we welcome the manifest readiness of the United Nations and the international community as a whole, and the neighbouring countries of Somalia in particular, to assist the parties in every possible way in consolidating progress in those areas.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“This year, the international community has focused on the development and implementation of substantial measures to combat piracy, one of the most visible manifestations of the complex problem in Somalia. These piracy activities have surged exponentially this year. The vast profits derived from ransom exceed the value of resources Somalia has devoted to combating piracy and have fostered the growth of the scourge. Over the past six months, the Security Council has adopted three resolutions exclusively addressing the situation in Somalia and calling on Member States of the region with the capacity to do so to cooperate among themselves and with the Transitional Federal Government in combating piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia. Those resolutions also address other legal issues.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“Costa Rica appreciates the persistent efforts that have been undertaken in the context of the national reconciliation process by the Government and the people of Somalia to achieve lasting peace and stability. In that context, the full implementation of the Djibouti Agreement must be a priority. However, we are deeply concerned by the deterioration of the situation in Somalia, which is facing the challenge of establishing, with scarce resources, the peace and stability necessary to eradicating piracy, robbery, kidnapping and widespread violence. Persistent political instability is the main obstacle to reversing this state of affairs and guarantees near-total impunity for those who break the law.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“Mr. Weisleder (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin my statement by thanking you, Sir, and your delegation for your initiative to organize this meeting to consider the challenges posed to providing assistance to Somalia in its fight against piracy and armed robbery. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his presence, which is a sign of his clear support for the actions of this Council on this issue. We would also thank the Secretary of State of the United States, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Vice Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China. Finally, I would also like to thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia for his presence.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“Finally, my delegation calls on States to implement this and previous resolutions and, in their efforts to cooperate to combat piracy and armed robbery off the coast and on the territory of Somalia, adopt measures both in coordination with the Government of that country and in close adherence to the provisions of international law.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“We would therefore have liked paragraph 6 of the resolution to include an explicit reference to international law, in order that the implementation of all the necessary measures called for by that paragraph always occurred within the context of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. We disagree with those who understand that an explicit reference to international law is a way of limiting or eviscerating the operative part of the resolution. We believe that when the Security Council acts in conformity with the Charter, as in this instance, its resolutions not only have international legal grounding, but they are themselves international law.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“We believe that the Council should swiftly address the primary cause with the same speediness with which it addressed the consequences, in order to cooperate in helping the country achieve lasting peace and stability. We also believe that any efforts that may be carried out to combat piracy and armed robbery off the coast and on the territory of Somalia must necessarily have the explicit consent of the Government of that country, which should always have the last word on matters that affect it directly. It is also crucial that we frame those efforts within international law and that we coordinate closely with the Government.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation would also like to express its reasons for supporting the resolution that we have just adopted, for we understand that acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast and on the territory of Somalia require real action on the part of the Security Council to help combat them. It is for the same reason that Costa Rica has supported previous resolutions adopted by the Council in the past six months on this matter, namely, resolutions 1816 (2008), 1838 (2008) and 1846 (2008). My delegation believes that piracy and armed robbery off the coast and on the territory of Somalia are consequences of the crisis being experienced by that country. However, they are not the primary cause of the problem.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6046 (2008) · source
“Finally, we welcome the two initiatives taken this month and we foster the hope that they herald a change in the prevailing practice that will enable the Council to pronounce itself in a timely manner with respect to events on the ground, as is the case for the other situations of which the Council is seized.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“For my delegation, the comments made by the President of the Council of 5 December represents a step forward in the Council's actions with regard to the specific issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that undermine the credibility of the parties in the peace process. However, we believe it necessary for the Council to take further action in the form of a decision, which is more than an oral statement, to lend new momentum to the peace process and to address the hurdles that have prevented the bilateral negotiating processes from bearing fruit.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“For all of those reasons, Costa Rica would have preferred a draft resolution that identified the core issues of the conflict by name. We hope that, at some point in the future, the Council will analyse and pronounce itself on the parties' compliance with their obligations under the Road Map, Security Council resolutions and international law, in particular international humanitarian and human rights law. My delegation supports today's initiative in the hope that it will provide a new impetus to the peace process in order to achieve the definitive, specific, verifiable and sustainable agreements by 2009 that eluded us in 2008 and which will lead to the peace that has eluded the Palestinians and Israelis for six decades.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“Costa Rica is concerned by what we hear almost every day from such entities of the United Nations system as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Bank. Since April 2008, the number of obstacles impeding the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank has grown. The number of illegal settlements has also increased significantly since the Annapolis conference. The efforts of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and of the Special Envoy of the Quartet to promote economic prosperity in the Palestinian territory and to improve the standard of living of the population will not succeed unless the downward trend is reversed.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“However, we believe that the Council's action on the Middle East, which we have urged throughout the year, is highly positive. My delegation is convinced that there is a close relationship between the political prospects for peace and the socio-economic and humanitarian situation on the ground. The Council cannot ignore that relationship. The many actions contravening the Council's resolutions and the Road Map hinder progress, as do calls for the elimination of the State of Israel. My delegation considers it absolutely unacceptable that Members of this Organization should refer to others by denying their existence as a State and threatening their right to exist.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“Along with other delegations, in particular that of South Africa, we have repeatedly asked the Quartet to inform the Council of its actions with the aim of complementing efforts, as we have supported more robust action on the part of the Security Council instead of the marginal role it has played in recent years. A draft resolution has been submitted to us for adoption at the outcome of this meeting. We shall support the draft resolution, in spite of the fact that we would have preferred it to include, in particular, a reference to the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza caused by a response that, in our opinion, has been disproportionate to the terrorist attacks carried out against Israeli territory. We would also have preferred to have held a thorough discussion of the text and regret that it was not possible.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation welcomes your presence, Sir, here in New York to preside over this important meeting. My delegation also thanks the Secretary-General for his statement and welcomes the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the United States, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom, as well as the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of China and the Deputy Secretary- General. Costa Rica welcomes any initiative to promote peace in the Middle East. However, we are equally convinced that the proliferation of efforts to that end does not absolve the Security Council of its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. While we value the work of the Quartet, it is also certain that most Members of the Organization have received little information on its work.”
2008-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6045 (2008) · source
“Finally, once again, we must condemn the attacks and the harassment of humanitarian workers in eastern Chad, behaviour which is wholly unacceptable, particularly in view of the lives of the men, women and children whose lives depend on this assistance. We hope that the deployment of the second MINURCAT force will provide hope and relief to these persons.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6042 (2008) · source
“83) We believe that through these undertakings and efforts, it would be possible to meet the benchmarks set for MINURCAT'S withdrawal as listed by the Secretary-General in section IX of this latest report. On the regional situation, once again, my country would like to emphasize the importance of this context and would like to congratulate the Government of Libya and the Contact Group for their important efforts in seeking to improve relations between Chad and the Sudan. We welcome the news of the exchange of Ambassadors between these two countries and hope to see a successful implementation of the deployment of a peace and security force along the border between these two countries as agreed.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6042 (2008) · source