YouSaid · the spoken record

Valdivieso

lines on the record: 816
first: 1999-08-25
most recent: 2003-01-14
sittings or episodes: 123
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

“The Government of Liberia must be aware that the Security Council requires the cooperation of West African countries to promote peace and security in the region, including in Sierra Leone. The Council is prepared to respond vigorously to any violation of the sanctions applied against the members ofthe RUF. With regard to the monitoring of sanctions, my delegation was discouraged to read the Panel of Experts' observation in paragraph 47 of their report that Security Council resolutions on diamonds and weapons are violated with impunity. We believe it is necessary to continue to deny the enemies of peace in Sierra Leone access to arms and diamond markets. We look forward to the upcoming opportunity to hold a dialogue with the member States of the Economic Community of West African States on this situation here in New York.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“With regard to the report's recommendations concerning Liberia, I wish to say that the Panel of Experts has given us many signs of the involvement of that country's Government in the sale of diamonds and weapons to rebels in Sierra Leone, including in association with companies carrying out illicit operations. We are deeply concerned that even the natural resources of Liberia's forests have been compromised in order to fuel these operations. We regret that time constraints prevented the Experts from describing in greater detail how Sierra Leone's diamonds are exported through Liberia. We are encouraged by the decision of the Government of Liberia to participate in this debate through the presence of its Minister for Foreign Affairs.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Turning to the report's recommendations on air traffic, I would like to recognize the difficulties encountered by airport authorities in West African countries in relation to controlling the operations of aircraft used to transport weapons in the region. We believe that the Council should indeed insist on a more transparent registry of ships and aircraft in countries dispensing flags of convenience. As the Panel of Experts suggests, the International Civil Aviation Administration should also be more actively involved in technical cooperation activities aimed at equipping the region's airports and should even consider deploying flight supervisors to critical areas.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Weapon-producing countries bear special responsibility and should be the first to monitor transactions destined for conflict areas, areas under moratorium and areas under Security Council embargoes. Companies that manufacture weapons should not hide behind the excuse that they are not responsible because they license foreign companies to produce arms and do not themselves produce any directly. Like many companies that produce weapons, an international trafficker such as Victor Bout, who is mentioned in the report, supported by lax weapon- export regimes, can become a genuine threat to international peace and security. Another aspect of the arms situation is the high number of child soldiers in the conflict in Sierra Leone. This is closely related to the fact that they are able to use the increasingly light weapons issued to them.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“The customs controls adopted by many of our countries in compliance with the sanctions imposed by the Security Council are our own contribution to bringing about peace in Sierra Leone and to ensuring that its people benefit from their natural resources. With regard to the report's recommendations on weapons, we must find effective ways to reduce weapon inflows in regions such as West Africa, where countries have imposed a Moratorium on the import of small arms. As the report indicates, responsibility for the flow of arms lies with producing countries, countries that trans-ship weapons and countries using weapons. We believe it is the Council's duty to strengthen international measures to limit weapon flows into West Africa.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“We would like to see the expeditious establishment of a global certification system, as called for in General Assembly resolution 55/56. We encourage the World Diamond Council and States participating in the Kimberly process to come to an agreement on this matter as soon as possible. We deplore that some of the countries mentioned in the report have refused to cooperate with the Panel of Experts by not providing their national diamond export statistics. The Council should urgently encourage those countries to cooperate and to adopt a system of certification similar to Sierra Leone's. Greater controls should also be required of diamond- importing countries. It is necessary to reduce statistical discrepancies, illegal operations and sales of conflict diamonds in the jewellery stores of numerous countries.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“With regard to the report's specific recommendations on diamonds, we find it morally repugnant that diamond mines in Sierra Leone should serve as a source of suffering for the people of Sierra Leone while at the same time being a symbol of ostentation and prosperity to other peoples. It is clear that the production of diamonds is important to the economic livelihood of various nations and that Sierra Leone's participation in the world diamond trade is relatively small. But, added to that of other countries in conflict, Sierra Leone's share has taken on considerable dimensions with in the context of international peace and security. We congratulate the Government of Sierra Leone on having put in place a system to certify diamonds destined for export.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Ayafor merits our thanks and appreciation, given the quality of the work done, the quantity of information collected and the tremendous contribution of their work to the work of the Committee established by the Security Council concerning Sierra Leone. We are pleased that the Experts focused not only on the relationship between the diamond trade and the supply of arms to the rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), but that they also addressed the use of aircraft of varying provenance in the transport of weapons and in violations of sanctions. As a result, we have before us a report whose recommendations are amply substantiated by facts.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation would like to express its thanks to you, Sir, for having made this an open debate in which all the Member States might participate. The relationship between diamonds and weapons is a topic of interest to many States, as was shown by the debate held by the recent General Assembly on the role of diamonds in promoting conflicts. We would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, who presides over the sanctions Committee for Sierra Leone, for the admirable determination with which he has led the work of the Committee and for the arrangements he made to bring before us today, here in New York, the Panel of Experts responsible for the report on diamonds and arms in Sierra Leone. We believe that the work done by the Panel of Experts chaired by Mr.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“My delegation is committed to the action begun by the Council and is in favour of continuing to consider at future meetings the potential repercussions of the AIDS phenomenon on various areas of international peace and security.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“What we are seeing today is that wars and armed conflicts help to spread the epidemic. Where there are armies on the march, camps overflowing with refugees and women who are sexually assaulted, the probability of spreading the disease increases. In this respect, studies by non-governmental organizations carried out before and after the Rwanda genocide are revealing. The average rate of infection among refugees increased sixfold while they were in the camps. The Council, acting within its jurisdiction, has repeatedly urged countries that provide troops to peacekeeping operations to provide the necessary education and assistance to troops in the field. We are encouraged by what is being done by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and what it will continue to do to strengthen such preventive actions.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“As concerns the impact of AIDS on peace and security, the Council clearly pointed in resolution 1308 (2000) of July last that an out-of-control epidemic could threaten the stability and security of countries, and adopted a series of measures within the scope of its jurisdiction. Let us imagine an extreme and complex scenario resulting from the effects of AIDS. A town that is overwhelmed by the incidence of this disease and facing the collapse of its public health system decides to seek the assistance of the health authorities of a neighbouring country instead of passively awaiting its gradual destruction. Thus the humanitarian emergency is transferred to the neighbour, generating resistance among the local population, and there we have the beginning of a new conflict. We realize, nevertheless, that this is an extreme scenario.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“AIDS also poses a threat to economic development. A World Bank study estimates that thus far we have seen only 10 per cent of the potential manifestations of this disease and 10 per cent of the number of deaths. People with AIDS in developing countries will not have access to a vaccine or to low- cost medication for another 10 years. Indicators relating to productivity, family income and the training of human resources will also be broadly affected by this epidemic. As a result, this situation requires political leadership on the part of Governments, action by the affected communities and a responsible attitude on the part of international pharmaceutical companies.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The global problem of AIDS is a daunting challenge for the authorities of many of our countries in the areas of public health, economic development and national security. Of all that has been said and written on this topic, my delegation is clear, at least, on the following aspects. AIDS, having claimed 20 million lives so far, represents the greatest global epidemic the world has known since the appearance of the bubonic plague in Europe six centuries ago. Of the 36 million people who live with the disease today, two thirds of them live in sub-Saharan Africa, where 8 million of them are orphaned children. The best strategy to fight the epidemic consists of national programmes aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, alleviating its effects on its victims, and access to low-cost medications, including a vaccine.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“For my delegation it is clear the world AIDS epidemic around the world is a phenomenon that requires the greatest efforts on the part of all nations, acting individually as well as collectively. We are encouraged by the adoption, at the most recent session of the General Assembly, of resolution 55/13, through which it was decided to convene a special session in June of this year to deal with various aspects of this problem, including those linked to the peace and security of nations. We hope that the Assembly will continue to be the appropriate forum for dealing with this topic, in order to ensure that it receives the consideration it deserves from all of the States Members of the United Nations.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I should like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations for his briefing on the implementation of resolution 1308 (2000) in relation to United Nations forces. I should also like to thank Dr. Piot for his informative and exhaustive briefing on how the various United Nations organizations, in cooperation with the World Bank, have responded to the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic at the global level. I should also like to express, through the representative of the United States, my gratitude to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke for his active efforts in encouraging the Security Council to deal with this matter. As this is his last meeting with us in the Council, I should like to wish him great success in his future endeavours.”
2001-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4259Resumption1 (2001) · source
“I should like to conclude by briefly speaking about the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. To a large degree, the legitimacy and prestige of the Security Council and of the United Nations are at stake when it comes to the effectiveness of this Tribunal and its officers. Furthermore, the validity of international criminal law is also at stake. That is why we believe that the Security Council should do everything in its power to ensure that we achieve the objective for which the Tribunal was established.”
2001-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4258 (2001) · source
“This could be an important step in generating confidence among the parties, in addition to directly benefiting the most vulnerable segments of the population. Fourthly, let me note my Government's approval of the commitment of the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to respect the provisions of the Military-Technical Agreement and of resolution 1244 (1999). Enhancing cooperation between Belgrade, UNMIK and KFOR is imperative in order to make progress towards finding a lasting solution to this question. Fifthly, it is important that we review the situation in Kosovo in a much broader context. It would not be advisable to continue viewing each conflict in the Balkans as an isolated case, as this could further delay the achievement of a lasting solution fostered by mutual trust between all of the parties concerned.”
2001-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4258 (2001) · source
“Secondly, we would like to say how important it is for UNMIK to continue working to protect all of the ethnic minorities. It is unacceptable that acts of violence are continuing to take place, such as the ones that occurred recently in the Presevo Valley and in Leposavic. The Albanian extremists must feel pressure from the international community to put an end to these attacks. We believe that political violence as a response to democratic changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia must stop. UNMIK and the Kosovo Force should spare no effort in putting an end to these destabilizing factors, which could have repercussions in the rest of the region. Thirdly, we feel that it would be appropriate for UNMIK and the Belgrade Government to come up with a joint solution to the problem of displaced persons and refugees.”
2001-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4258 (2001) · source
“First, we would like to emphasize the important role that is being played by the new Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in finding a peaceful solution to the problems that we are dealing with today. We must continue to provide support to President Kostunica so that we can effectively contribute to the consolidation of strong institutions in that country. It is only natural, therefore, that we should temporarily put on hold the strengthening of the Belgrade Government and avoid discussing, or taking decisions on, matters that are extremely sensitive for the parties concerned. For example, it would be premature to decide, on the one hand, the date of general elections in Kosovo, and on the other, the definitive status of this province. It would be meaningless to move forward in these areas without the consent of Belgrade.”
2001-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4258 (2001) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I offer special thanks to the Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Guehenno, for the information he has provided us. It is an important basis for the statement that we are about to make. We also take this opportunity to congratulate all the members of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) for their achievements over the past 18 months. The appointment of Mr. Hans Haekkerup as Special Representative of the Secretary- General will help to maintain the proper course initiated by Mr. Bernard Kouchner. We trust that we will continue to see the same level of commitment and dedication in the work of UNMIK. I should like to focus on five main points.”
2001-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4258 (2001) · source
“We feel that these circumstances should define a minimum level of consultation for streamlined management of the peacekeeping operations authorized by the Security Council. The Council should cultivate a relationship of mutual trust with troop-contributing countries, which will help to prevent the taking of unilateral decisions by troops and bring about greater cohesion among the forces deployed in the field.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It could, for instance, circulate information on the proposed mission, the means available to achieve its aims, and the risks and benefits involved in participating in its implementation. National Governments should have the necessary information to be able to justify publicly their decision to contribute troops, observers or equipment. To this end, the Secretariat could work more actively with the missions to ensure that information is properly channelled to capitals. In conclusion, I should like to stress the timeliness of consultations, a matter referred to by several delegations this morning. Troop-contributing countries must be consulted at the beginning of a mission, when there are proposed changes to its mandate, when new components are introduced into it, and whenever it becomes necessary to modify the rules of engagement.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“In the former case, it is a matter of presenting a potential contributor with enough information to motivate it to participate. Clearly, the work of the Security Council should be more proactive. Why do some countries not contribute troops? In some cases, internal security issues constrain contribution, and clearly there is little that the Security Council can do to counteract such a sovereign decision. However, there are other cases in which internal political pressures prevent a State from becoming a contributor, and there may even be cases in which such a decision is not taken because of a lack of information. In the latter cases, the Security Council, in coordination with the Secretariat, could have a positive influence if it were to be more active.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We would like also to express our support for reviving the Military Staff Committee, with a broadened mandate that would reflect the concerns voiced this morning, failing which we should establish a standing institutional mechanism for consultation and cooperation with the troop-contributing countries. I should now like to touch on the importance of promoting closer cooperation between the Security Council and countries that are potential troop contributors. I believe that the Council should ask itself whether it is doing everything to motivate Members of the United Nations to become troop contributors. It goes without saying that consultations with potential contributors would have to be different from those held with countries that are already contributing troops.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We would like to reiterate what was stated by several delegations this morning: that consultations should be convened with enough lead time and should be announced in the Journal, so that the decisions taken by the Council could benefit from the viewpoints expressed by countries prepared to provide troops to peacekeeping operations. We would therefore recommend that every report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on developments affecting missions in the field include his assessment of consultations being held with the troop-contributing countries, be they actual or potential contributors.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“This is why it is necessary, first, that the Security Council establish permanent, appropriate and relevant mechanisms for involving troop- contributing countries. Secondly, those countries should take proper advantage of these mechanisms. This morning one delegation referred to a lack of active participation on the part of the troop- contributing countries during the regular consultations. Each mission authorized by the Security Council should develop its own mechanisms for cooperation and consultation with the troop-contributing countries. In some cases, a routine meeting would suffice. In other, more complex situations, it would be necessary to resort to more sophisticated consultation mechanisms, which could be developed and fine-tuned with experience.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to offer you, Sir, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, the greetings of my delegation and to tell you how pleased we are to see you presiding over this meeting. I would like to highlight the importance of this open debate, as well as the approach of hearing first from the troop-contributing countries and then from the members of the Security Council. Earlier today we heard several delegations' statements on this topic. In this statement we propose to refer to some of the ideas that were raised. We would like to express thanks for the words of welcome that several representatives and meeting participants addressed to those of us who are new Council members. In most cases the member countries of the Security Council and the troop-contributing countries are not the same.”
2001-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4257Resumption1 (2001) · source
“By its very nature, the Security Council tends to take action in situations of urgency and is thus perhaps seen as a mechanism applicable in the short term. As a political body, it often requires a political impetus in order to act. Prevention does not necessarily give rise to the political awareness that the resolution of a conflict provides. It is for that reason that prevention requires breadth of vision and humility, as well as the ability to obey the dictates of one's conscience without expecting recognition.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“These are the types of weapons that are being used in today's conflicts - the ones that are causing so many deaths. There is a very close relationship between the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons and conflict situations. There is no doubt that conflict situations are fuelled by the illicit arms trade, against which embargoes are not always effective. Other measures will therefore have to be found. The Security Council must also take into consideration disarmament measures within the context of a broad conflict- prevention strategy. As an instrument of justice, the International Court of Justice will contribute to conflict prevention. In this respect, all States, and in particular those that are members of the Security Council, must support and ratify the Statute of the Court.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The dilemma between the cost of peacekeeping operations and the need to invest in development continues to prevail. In this connection, there is one aspect to conflicts to which my delegation believes the Council should give particular attention. That aspect is the economic reasons for certain conflicts. I refer once again to the Secretary-General, who says that "Whereas war is costly for society as a whole, it nevertheless may be profitable for some." (A/54/2000, para. 205) In some cases, the illegal exploitation of resources is a central element of conflict. The Security Council should seek innovative measures to deal with these situations. Disarmament must also be a part of a comprehensive conflict-prevention strategy. The international community has turned its attention to the problem of small arms and light weapons.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In order to prevent the resurgence of conflict, my delegation believes that the Security Council should give special attention to the related aspect of monitoring respect for peace agreements and consolidating peace after a conflict. Poverty is a factor that threatens peace because, among other things, it makes countries more vulnerable to any threat or conflict. As the Secretary-General states in his report to the Millennium Assembly, most of the wars taking place at the moment are wars between poor peoples. The reason for this is complex and has to do with poverty, the weakness of institutions and the lack of opportunity. But the search for international peace and security require the eradication of poverty and the attainment of development.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In this regard, the General Assembly last year adopted the important Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. My delegation is convinced of the importance of promoting a culture of peace and of an educational effort for peace that will one day lead us to the establishment of a true right to peace. The public diplomacy of the Security Council is an effective prevention mechanism. Contact between the members of the Council and regions in which it is possible to prevent a conflict or the exacerbation of an existing conflict can be effective if it is done with a dose of consensus. Prevention measures have more weight if they come from the Security Council and if they are applied in conformity with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Moreover, we share the view that it is the task of the Security Council to endeavour to act in situations that call for preventive action in order to avoid an open conflict. In his report to the Millennium Assembly (A/54/2000), the Secretary-General also makes a number of observations regarding the need to prevent conflicts and, above all, to face up to not only the symptoms of those conflicts, but their root causes as well. In the times in which we live, during which peacekeeping operations have multiplied, the limitations of an approach that focuses more on symptoms than on causes- and which does not always contribute to solving conflicts - are becoming apparent. We have already reached a point in the evolution of civilization in which it no longer makes sense to talk about just wars.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to say to you, Mr. President, that we feel honoured by your presence and participation here to preside over this special meeting. We also feel honoured at your presence as a representative of our Latin American and Caribbean region. The Security Council has already pronounced itself on this subject. In the second half of last year, it expressed various very pertinent points regarding the use of early-warning, preventive diplomacy, preventive deployment, preventive disarmament and the consolidation of peace as complementary and interrelated measures in a comprehensive strategy to prevent conflicts. In addition, the Council expressed the need to revamp and develop a culture of conflict prevention. My delegation agrees with these conclusions.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174Resumption1 (2000) · source
“They also advocated greater international financial efforts to help the victims of humanitarian emergencies and reaffirmed the distinction that must be made - a vital one - among actions of a humanitarian nature, peacekeeping or peacemaking operations and operational activities for development. My country agrees with what was expressed by the Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement. It welcomes the measures to be adopted by the Security Council today and reiterates that other organs of the United Nations should also broadly consider the various means of strengthening the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“On 9 April 2000, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the non-aligned countries, meeting in Cartagena at the thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, addressed the question of the erosion of respect for the norms and principles of international humanitarian law and the question of the considerable increase in the number of refugees and displaced persons caused by conflict situations. On that occasion, among the various measures adopted, the Ministers appealed to the parties to a conflict to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law and to ensure the safety, security and protection of humanitarian personnel.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We hope that it will be possible soon to have the handbook of good conduct in the field, the publication of which has been announced. Regarding coercive measures against massive and ongoing abuses, the Secretary-General presented to the Council several criteria for the adoption of coercive measures in cases of internal conflicts that present grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. We believe that the United Nations must act with prudence and extreme care in this field in order not to undermine principles of international law that are firmly established, and without which we might be cast into great confusion. We express our strong preference for examining situations carefully on a case-by-case basis and to use procedures for cooperation among States before resorting to sanctions mechanisms.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We are pleased to note the agreement reached at the beginning of the year regarding the protocol on the participation of children in armed conflict. The Government of Colombia categorically ruled that no person younger than 18 years of age can serve in the national armed forces and encourages other countries to adopt the same age limit for recruitment. We also condemn the use of minors in the ranks of irregular armed groups in all parts of the world, and we appeal for a united attitude of rejection of this practice. We underscore the constructive approach of promoting confidence-building measures among the parties involved in internal conflicts, with the active participation of civilian society in this process. This is an approach that is useful either at the beginning of conflicts or in the peace-building stage.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“With regard to small arms and light weapons, we believe that the Security Council must adopt a more forceful attitude to that illegal traffic, when considering current armed conflicts. This phenomenon is linked to transnational criminal organizations which use money laundering as a means to internationalize violence. The availability of these weapons in areas of conflict fuels a spirit of discord and is a direct cause of the loss of many civilian lives. For that reason, my country has been advocating stricter control of the international arms trade in the framework of preparations for next year's conference. With regard to the recruitment of minors, our delegation believes that under no circumstances should children participate in war.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“My country joins others who have spoken in this debate to reject and condemn the use of prohibited methods of combat in internal conflicts, particularly the actions of some non-State actors against civilian populations - such as the taking of hostages for the purpose of extortion, indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian installations and the use of hunger as an instrument of war. But will the outcry of the international community be heard? Among the recommendations for the protection of civilians that are before the Council, we wish to underscore a few that we consider indispensable to preventing future conflicts and sparing civilian populations further suffering.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Actions motivated by political, ethnic or religious hatred often disregard fundamental principles of humanity and are therefore challenges to individual conscience and to the collective feelings of nations. The millions of persons caught against their will in the crossfire of current armed conflicts are rightly a source of concern for the international community. As we were reminded last year by the campaign of the International Committee of the Red Cross, even wars have limits. The Committee's humanitarian work deserves our appreciation and support.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation would like to express its appreciation to your country, Canada, and to you in particular, Ambassador Fowler, for your dedication and your dynamism during the Council's intensive work this month. Likewise, we want to thank the members of the Council for giving us this opportunity to participate in this important debate. The Council has on various occasions drawn attention to the difficult and often distressing situation of civilians in armed conflict. We attach great importance to the recommendations made by the Secretary- General to strengthen the physical and legal protection of civilians in armed conflict, and we believe that the scope of those recommendations should be examined exhaustively by the General Assembly.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The calamities caused by war have worsened the living conditions of millions of people throughout the world. Let us ensure that indifference or an improvisational approach on the part of the international community to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes does not reverse progress on the road to peace.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Post-conflict reintegration, in particular, can call for economic rehabilitation or the establishment of new governmental institutions, which might exceed the limits of a peacekeeping operation. In such cases, we need to turn to the modalities of cooperation for development of other United Nations bodies, and we must respect their mandates. In this context, we wish to highlight the work carried out by other bodies of the United Nations system in the process of reintegration, and we welcome the ever- growing participation of the World Bank. This is a stage that requires considerable investment to generate permanent sources of employment, rebuild the social fabric and establish new institutions. The broad participation of various international actors is therefore required at this peace-building stage.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Peacekeeping missions are important instruments for that purpose, but we must not lose sight of the real causes of conflict, which may be many and may require a long-term response. One area of great concern for Colombia is the wide availability of weapons in conflict zones and the illegal traffic in weapons. We believe that the international community has now become aware of the need to exercise stricter control over the trade in small arms. The upcoming Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons will provide a great opportunity for us to respond to this factor, which destabilizes peace. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process requires great trust to be established between the parties.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“However, the stage of managing peace is much more difficult and tends to take place without much fanfare and without making great headlines in the press. Hence, there is a risk of losing the initial international support that was generated for peace. When this happens and the support of the international community falls off, or when the international community is slow to react to a post-conflict situation, the risk of a return to conflict increases. We therefore recognize the importance of giving the United Nations effective tools to enable it to provide continuous and uninterrupted support for post-conflict disarmament, demobilization and reintegration activities.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We share in particular his suggestions about the need for the United Nations to have at its disposal sufficient information about experts who could provide assistance to the Organization when the United Nations is called upon to participate in DDR activities. Furthermore, we consider his comments about the need to provide training to participants in peacekeeping missions on practical aspects of the DDR process to be relevant. However, we should like to make our own assessment with regard to the involvement of the United Nations in this area. The signing of a peace agreement putting an end to an armed conflict should be seen as an achievement deserving the broadest support of the international community.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“On the one hand, the conditions for the DDR process must be set out in the peace agreements signed by the parties to a conflict, while, on the other, the financial means required for the implementation of the process must be assured. These two prerequisites are essential for any DDR process, but they are not sufficient to ensure its success. It is worthwhile to point out, however, that there have been some successful cases of DDR in which neither the Security Council nor any peacekeeping operation has been involved. In his report, the Secretary-General clearly presents the experience of peacekeeping operations in the processes of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Valdivieso (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I should like to thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to participate in this debate. At the same time, I should like to acknowledge the report of the Secretary-General and to thank him for it, as well as for the introductory comments that he made this morning. I should like to begin by highlighting the important role of the Security Council in the process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) through its peacekeeping operations. It is clear from the statements made during this debate that there are two essential prerequisites for such a process to be successful in a peace- building environment.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source