YouSaid · the spoken record

Wang Yingfan

lines on the record: 679
first: 2000-02-24
most recent: 2003-06-17
sittings or episodes: 130
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

“Foday Sankoh, as leader of the RUF, to be responsible for these actions, which are unacceptable and in clear Violation of their obligations under the Lome Agreement. The Council condemns the fact that Mr. Sankoh has deliberately failed to fulfil his responsibility to cooperate with UNAMSIL in bringing these incidents to an end. The Council believes that he must be held accountable, together with the perpetrators, for their actions. "The Security Council commends UNAMSIL forces and the Force Commander for the courage, resolve and sacrifice they have shown in attempting to bring this situation under control. It expresses its full support for their continued efforts to this end, and for the overall fulfilment of their mandate. It calls upon all States in a position to do so to assist the Mission in this regard.”
2000-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4134 (2000) · source
“It condemns in the strongest terms the armed attacks perpetrated by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) against the forces of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), and their continued detention of a large number of United Nations and other international personnel. The Council expresses its outrage at the killing of a number of United Nations peacekeepers of the Kenyan battalion and its deep concern for the UNAMSIL troops who have been wounded or remain unaccounted for. "The Security Council demands that the RUF end its hostile actions, release immediately and unharmed all detained United Nations and other international personnel, cooperate in establishing the whereabouts of those unaccounted for, and comply fully with the terms of the Lome Peace Agreement (S/ 1999/777). "The Security Council considers Mr.”
2000-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4134 (2000) · source
“The President (spoke in Chinese): The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to document S/2000/373, which contains a letter dated 2 May 2000 from Sierra Leone. Members of the Council also have received photocopies of a letter dated 4 May 2000 from Sierra Leone, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/2000/380. Following consultations among members of the Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the outbreak of violence in Sierra Leone in recent days.”
2000-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4134 (2000) · source
“Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. The situation in Sierra Leone The President (spoke in Chinese): I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Sierra Leone in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Kamara ( Sierra Leone) took a seat at the Council table.”
2000-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4134 (2000) · source
“The fact that Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has just returned to New York after visiting a number of countries, is attending this meeting attests to the great importance that he and the Secretariat attach to the situation in Sierra Leone. Expression of thanks to the retiring President The President (spoke in Chinese): As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of May, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to Mr. Robert Fowler, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of April 2000. I am sure I speak for all members of the Security Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Fowler for the great diplomatic skill with which he conducted the Council's business last month.”
2000-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4134 (2000) · source
“At the same time, we believe that the international community and the relevant United Nations bodies should take further steps to eradicate the root causes of conflict by helping the countries at risk to eliminate poverty, develop their economies, promote national reconciliation and maintain domestic stability. Only thus can a fundamental solution be reached to the issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“The Security Council, with its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, should draw upon past successes and failures alike so as to perform its duties more effectively with a view to creating a favourable international environment of peace for all regions and countries. The Council should focus its efforts on finding solutions to the armed conflicts themselves. Civilians can be truly protected only through the establishment of a generally favourable and peaceful environment and the early defusing of specific disputes leading to conflicts.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“In our View, all agencies within the United Nations system should work with a well-defined division of labour and terms of reference. The Security Council should review and address this issue within its own mandate and, in doing so, support and cooperate with other agencies in this regard. This is the only way that different departments of the United Nations can work in harmony and mutual reinforcement, allowing the system as a whole to play its role more effectively. T hirdly, while addressing the issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict, the Security Council should seek to eradicate the causes of crises.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“Secondly, in considering the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Security Council should ensure a clear division of labour and enhance coordination and cooperation with other bodies. The issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict involves political, peacekeeping, humanitarian, disarmament, legal and many other dimensions. It requires the concerted efforts of the entire international community and the United Nations system. The 40 recommendations in the Secretary-General's report were not made for the Security Council alone. Many of them need to be assessed and addressed by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant bodies.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“It must be pointed out that any attempt to politicize humanitarian concerns, wantonly interfere in other countries' internal affairs or, worse yet, overturn a legitimate Government under the pretext of protecting civilians runs counter to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and will inevitably have serious consequences. The draft resolution before us reaffirms the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and stresses the need to respect the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We must keep in mind and abide by these principles in acting to protect civilians in armed conflict.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“In our view, the Government of a country in armed conflict tends to decide on the measures necessary to protect civilians in accordance with the nature and characteristics of the conflict and the actual circumstances of civilians in the area of conflict. In this regard, the positions of sovereign States should be respected by the Security Council. Action taken without the understanding and cooperation of the countries involved may lead those countries to resist. Should this occur, not only will relevant measures for protecting civilians fail to be implemented in any meaningful way, but more civilians will be dragged down into misery.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“The Security Council cannot successfully consider and address this issue without the close cooperation of the countries involved. It should fully respect the opinions of the countries or parties concerned, assist them in various ways, in accordance with their specific needs, and act when necessary in support of their efforts to protect civilians. Not long ago, for example, the Security Council, in response to the specific situations of the countries concerned, incorporated elements of civilian protection into the mandates of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is commendable.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“We have participated in a constructive manner in the informal working group's review of the Secretary-General's report and recommendations, expressed our position and put forward positive suggestions on and amendments to this draft resolution. Today, I would like to highlight once again the following points. First, armed conflicts throughout the world differ in their causes, manifestations and natures. The Security Council should review and address the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict on a case-by-case basis, dealing with each situation on its own merits. The Security Council must take timely measures in response to such cases as the Rwandan genocide. Usually, however, it is the sovereign States that bear the main responsibility for protecting civilians in armed conflict.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“Since this issue was first discussed by the Security Council in February 1999, some progress has been made in this field. Last September, the Council adopted resolution 1265 (1999) on the basis of the Secretary-General's report and established an informal working group to study the report and its recommendations. Building on this, the Council has prepared the draft resolution before us. It is our hope that its adoption will help the international community to achieve better results in the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Chinese delegation has consistently attached importance to the issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict and has always participated actively in the consideration of this issue by the Security Council, the General Assembly and other relevant bodies.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“Mr. Wang Yingfan (China) (spoke in Chinese): The Chinese delegation welcomes you to New York, Mr. President, to preside over this open meeting and also expresses its appreciation of the efforts made by Ambassador Fowler and the delegation of Canada for its convening. We would also like to thank the Secretary- General and Mr. Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for their statements just now. Today, armed conflicts continue to rage in many parts of the world, inflicting great harm on civilians, jeopardizing regional stability and development, and even threatening international peace and security. Addressing the issue of how effectively to protect civilians in armed conflict has always been a serious and difficult task for the international community.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130 (2000) · source
“We sincerely hope that in six months' time, when the Security Council next reviews the implementation of the sanctions against UNITA, we will be able to see real and effective results. That would be an important contribution by the international community to the Angolan peace process.”
2000-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4129 (2000) · source
“It may be said that without the true involvement and commitment of SADC, it will be impossible to implement many of the proposals, and sanctions against UNITA could possibly remain hollow talk. We commend SADC countries for their determination and for their efforts to implement the sanctions against UNITA. At the same time, we are aware of the real difficulties SADC countries face, and we are therefore of the view that the international community should continue to provide SADC with necessary assistance concerning the sanctions against UNITA. The Chinese delegation strongly appeals to all countries strictly to abide by relevant resolutions of the Security Council, to stop supplying UNITA with weapons or supporting it in any other way and to adopt effective measures to prevent their own citizens from violating the sanctions.”
2000-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4129 (2000) · source
“The Chinese delegation supports the establishment by the Security Council of a new monitoring mechanism to continue the investigation into violations of the embargoes against UNITA and to submit a report and proposals to the Security Council in six months. We hope that the Secretary-General will be able to appoint experts for this monitoring mechanism at an early date, and we would like to call upon all countries to give it their full support and cooperation. We support Security Council endorsement of some of the recommendations in the Expert Panel's report through the adoption of a draft resolution, and we hope that this will be truly implemented. We have taken note of the fact that many of the recommendations involve the Southern African Development Community (SADC).”
2000-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4129 (2000) · source
“The Security Council Panel of Experts investigating violations of the embargoes has done a great deal of work since its establishment and has submitted a report in this regard, putting forward a series of recommendations. Despite the different responses and evaluations made by different sides, the report undoubtedly played a positive role in enhancing efforts by the Security Council and the international community to strengthen the sanctions against UNITA. Meanwhile, we should also see that much remains to be done in strengthening sanctions against UNITA. After the expiration of the mandate of the Expert Panel, the international community will still need to monitor violations of the embargoes closely.”
2000-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4129 (2000) · source
“Since the arms and petroleum embargo was applied against UNITA by resolution 864 (1993), the Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions in recent years to expand relevant measures to travel, finance, the diamond trade and many other areas. Unfortunately, these measures have not been implemented effectively, for various reasons. To this day, UNITA has not yet laid down its weapons to take the path of national reconciliation. Ambassador Robert Fowler of Canada, since his assumption of the chairmanship of the sanctions Committee, has made unremitting efforts to facilitate implementation in earnest by the international community of the sanctions against UNITA.”
2000-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4129 (2000) · source
“Mr. Wang Yingfan (China) (spoke in Chinese): The Chinese delegation welcomes you to New York, Mr. President, to preside over this open meeting. We would also like to welcome Foreign Minister Miranda of Angola, who is attending today's meeting. The question of Angola has dragged on for quite a long time. The twists and turns of the peace process and the grave security and humanitarian situation have not only combined to bring enormous sufferings to the Angolan people but have also seriously affected peace and stability in the region. As it refused to implement the peace agreement, UNITA, headed by Jonas Malheiro Savimbi, should bear the main responsibility for the present situation in Angola.”
2000-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4129 (2000) · source
“Needless to say, sanctions against a sovereign State by any country unilaterally and in the absence of authorization by the Security Council are far from appropriate. It must also be pointed out that it takes time to address the drawbacks of sanctions. In a note by the President of the Council at the beginning of last year, a number of measures were proposed for improving work in this field. Unfortunately, some measures have not been fully put in place. The working group should really pay attention to the question of how to enhance the efficiency of sanctions committees, including how to optimize their working procedures. Moreover, the working group should seriously consider the valuable suggestions and proposals made by many agencies and scholars, with a View to pooling wisdom and resources.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“The working group should conduct thorough assessments in this regard and come up with specific and feasible solutions in areas such as the expansion of humanitarian exemptions, prior analysis, retrospective evaluation, the adjustment of sanctions regimes in accordance with real situations during the process of implementation and the establishment of criteria for the suspension or lifting of sanctions. Past experiences of the Security Council have demonstrated that sanctions may be able to help provide some solutions, but by no means in all cases. The Council cannot neglect the severe humanitarian problems brought about by sanctions. That is why China has consistently maintained that resort to sanctions should not be made easy.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“First, the practical effectiveness of sanctions must be enhanced. Prior to adoption, all aspects of the sanctions, in particular their effective monitoring, should be taken into full consideration. During the process of implementation, developments and problems concerning sanctions should be tracked closely and measures should be taken in a timely manner to help Member States to strengthen their implementation capability and to deepen cooperation and coordination between the countries and agencies concerned. Secondly, we must work out concrete ways and means to address humanitarian consequences created by sanctions which have a direct humanitarian bearing on thousands of innocent civilians.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“Mr. Wang Yingfan (China) (spoke in Chinese): Sanctions, as a measure of coercion made available to the Council by the United Nations Charter, have been increasingly applied by this Organization in recent years, targeting more than 10 countries or entities. Some of these sanctions have managed to have certain effects, while the majority have fallen short of the expected results; in some cases, there have been severe consequences. It is therefore absolutely necessary to review and improve the use of sanctions. China supports the establishment of an informal working group to carry out a review of Council sanctions, to make an in-depth study of ways to improve them and to submit a report on this matter. In our View, an in-depth study of the question of sanctions should focus on two main priorities.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“These recommendations warrant attention and study by the relevant departments, and deserve comprehensive consideration in the context of strengthening the role of the United Nations in the twenty- first century. We have noted that in recent years the United Nations has been making efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its peacekeeping operations. How to carry out effective peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sierra Leone, and how to transform the priority attention we give to African issues into action in such a way that success will be achieved and mistakes reduced to the minimum: these are matters of increasing public concern. We believe that summarizing the lessons and experience gained from the Rwanda tragedy will be illuminating in that regard.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“We believe that today's discussion will help us analyze the experiences and learn lessons with a view to effectively improving United Nations peacekeeping operations and to increasing the capacity of the Security Council to react to and deal with similar crises in the future. The Inquiry made many recommendations touching upon a variety of areas. They have a bearing on coordination and cooperation among various United Nations departments. The recommendations relate to such matters as reform of the United Nations, enhancement of the efficiency of the Security Council, strengthening of the political will of Member States, mobilization of adequate resources, and many other matters.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“Mr. Wang Yingfan (China) (spoke in Chinese): We thank the delegation of Canada for organizing today's meeting. Our thanks go also to Mr. Carlsson for introducing the report of the Independent Inquiry. The Inquiry has succeeded in summing up the experiences gained and lessons learned by the United Nations with respect to the massive killings in Rwanda. We convey our appreciation to the Inquiry for its conscientious and careful work. The international community failed to prevent the tragedy that took place in Rwanda six years ago. The lessons to be drawn from that tragedy merit sober reflection.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“We strongly urge all the factions in Afghanistan to implement their commitments to effectively ensure the security and safety of the United Nations and international assistance personnel so that the international community can provide humanitarian assistance to the abandoned people of Afghanistan.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“Illicit drug production in and trafficking of drugs from Afghanistan have caused serious damage to many countries. As has happened in other areas, drugs have become a means of maintaining warfare. This problem should be a matter of great concern to the international community. We highly appreciate the efforts made by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. We are deeply disturbed by the deterioration in the humanitarian and human rights situations in Afghanistan. Long-term war has rendered Afghanistan one of the most tragic areas of the world. Most unacceptable is that civilians have become targets of attack. Afghan people, especially women and girls, have experienced exceptionally serious difficulties.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“The Chinese delegation greatly appreciates the diplomatic efforts made by the newly appointed Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Vendrell, since assuming his post and supports the good offices of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan and other actors towards a political settlement of the question of Afghanistan. We believe that the international community should work hard to break the vicious yearly cycle in which the Afghan factions negotiate in winter and fight in the spring. We urge all sides concerned, including the "six plus two" group and especially the neighbouring countries with strong influence over the factions in Afghanistan, to work towards that end. China will actively participate in the peace efforts of the "six plus two" group.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“The Taliban and the United Front are expanding their forces in the North in preparation for war and sporadic fighting continues in some areas. Now that spring is here, if the factions in Afghanistan are unable to resume negotiations soon, that country will very likely be witness to a large-scale military offensive. We therefore thank the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs for convening this open briefing today, which was clearly very necessary and timely. Following decades of war, the people of Afghanistan long for an end to the fighting and instability and for a peaceful life. Military means can never offer a solution to their problems. Only the establishment of a broad-based representative Government can promote peace in Afghanistan.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“Mr. Chen Xu (China) (spoke in Chinese): At the outset, we wish like other countries to convey our condolences to the Republic of Tunisia on the passing of its former President. We also wish to congratulate the delegation of Bangladesh for its excellent work last month in the presidency of the Council. We thank the Secretariat for its briefing and the Ambassador of Argentina for his report on the work of the sanctions Committee. We are pleased to see the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, Mr. Lloyd Axworthy, presiding over our meeting today. The Chinese delegation wishes to express its deep regret and disappointment over the continuing conflict in Afghanistan. We believe that the current situation there is very precarious.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“Nana-Sinkam, and the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau, for the positive role that they have played in the peace process in Guinea-Bissau. We also hope that, in the year to come, they will continue to work tirelessly for peace and development in Guinea-Bissau. Before concluding, I should like to say that we support the draft presidential statement, which will be adopted later.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“We encourage the Government of Guinea-Bissau to continue its efforts to enhance national reconciliation, consolidate constitutional rule and begin economic reconstruction at an early date so that peace and stability in that country can be maintained. At the same time, we call upon the international community to continue to give attention and support to Guinea-Bissau and to support the peace process in particular. In this regard, we would like to thank the Economic Community of West African States and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries for the enormous efforts that they have been making for a long time. We would also like to thank the Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“Mr. Wang Yingfan (China) (spoke in Chinese): The Chinese delegation would like to thank the Secretary- General for the report that he has provided to us. We also thank the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Prendergast, for his additional briefing. Recently, the situation in Guinea-Bissau has remained stable, and Guinea-Bissau's relations with neighbouring countries have further improved. The current humanitarian situation in Guinea-Bissau has also improved. We are satisfied with developments in Guinea-Bissau. Since it came into office, the new Government has committed itself to reform and has adopted positive measures in that regard. We express our appreciation for all this. We agree with the observation in the report of the Secretary-General that Guinea-Bissau is at present at a critical crossroad.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“We believe that the Security Council, in addressing humanitarian issues, should proceed in accordance with the same standards and apply the same criteria to all regions and countries, avoiding both politicization and any kind of double standard. The same attention and input should be given to every case, be it the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, Kosovo, East Timor, African countries or elsewhere.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Differences among Council members regarding the policy on the Iraqi issue are difficult to avoid, but innocent civilians, especially women and children, should never be victimized because of political differences. I wish also to point out that certain countries have undertaken military actions in the no-fly zone that were not authorized by the Security Council. These have already exacerbated the Iraqi humanitarian crisis. We request the countries concerned to immediately cease all military actions and to rescind the no-fly zone. In recent years, the Security Council has focused increasing attention on humanitarian issues and has held debates on humanitarian crises occurring in many areas, and in some cases relevant United Nations operations have been authorized and conducted.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Fifthly, we have always maintained that sanctions against Iraq will not help solve the problem. On the contrary, they will lead to tremendous humanitarian consequences. As a matter of fact, the 10-year sanctions have brought incalculable suffering to innocent Iraqi civilians. This is an objective and incontrovertible fact. This is by no means the original intention and purpose of the Security Council in imposing the sanctions. As the Secretary-General has repeatedly stated, the oil-for-food programme has been unable, and will be unlikely, to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. In our view, a fundamental solution lies in the timely lifting of the sanctions.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“I believe this should receive the serious attention of the Security Council. On the one hand, the relevant Committee members should expedite the release of holds. On the other hand, the sanctions Committee may also discuss modification of its working procedures in the general context of improving the overall performance of the sanctions Committees. Moreover, the limited revenues from Iraqi oil exports should be used to the extent possible to purchase humanitarian supplies, rather than for administration or other expenditures. In this connection, how to optimize the division of labour within the Office of the Iraq Programme and the Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq is a question worth considering. The Secretariat could approach the Iraqi side and discuss this matter with it.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“My delegation would like to be informed of the results therefrom in a timely manner. At the same time, we believe that enhancing the observation and monitoring capability of the Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq may reassure some Council members as to the use of those goods, so that the holds may be released expeditiously. The Secretary-General has already issued directives to the Office of the Iraq Programme in this regard, and we hope that that Office will be able to devise a concrete implementing plan very soon. Thirdly, the efficiency of the sanctions committee is also pivotal to the better performance of the oil-for-food programme. Recently, many Member States have urged the Committee to improve its work with respect to contract approval, as current performance is less than satisfactory.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Unfortunately, to date the United Nations has not been able to launch a comprehensive review of the negative impact of the 10-year sanctions on Iraq in the economic, social, cultural, religious, human rights and other areas. China believes that the Security Council should address the Iraqi humanitarian issue, especially the impact of the sanctions, with a comprehensive and integrated approach and from a long-term perspective. We strongly believe that the Secretariat should prepare and submit such a comprehensive review report to the Security Council as soon as possible. Secondly, as stated in the Secretary-General's report, the United Nations Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq and other agencies in Iraq have conducted tens of thousands of inspections and checks on goods exported to Iraq.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“First, the sanctions against Iraq have been in effect for 10 years, and their humanitarian consequences have been both broad and profound. According to a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) survey last summer, in the past five years child mortality in Iraq has doubled, and maternal mortality has also increased greatly. A report of the International Committee of the Red Cross states that the average monthly salary in Iraq is only $2, unemployment is as high as 50 per cent, a large part of the Iraqi population lacks clean drinking water, and the public sanitation and health-care systems have been reduced to near-ineffectiveness. Stories and statistics of this kind abound.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Paragraph 203 states that to date the total amount of funds made available for the implementation of the programme has reached $13.2 billion, but the total value of the supplies delivered to Iraq is only $6.7 billion. In other words, almost half of the available funds have not really been utilized for the progranune. Any unbiased party would agree that improving the oil-for-food programme is an immediate priority of the highest degree of urgency. My purpose in citing so many figures and examples is only to make today's discussions conducive to the improvement of the oil-for-food programme, so that the Iraqi people can reap greater benefits from it. Here, I would like to make the following comments and suggestions.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Moreover, the Secretariat and other agencies operating in Iraq are all of the view that telecommunications in that country should be immediately improved to achieve better performance and results from the "oil-for-food" programme. However, although the Secretary-General has approved relevant procurement plans, and suppliers and purchasers have all more than once provided all of the required information and the necessary explanations to the members placing holds, almost 100 per cent of the contracts in this sector have been put on hold. In this context, the technical excuses for putting these holds on contracts are far from convincing.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“But to this day, an application submitted by a Chinese company in 1998 has not been approved, merely because the contract includes pipe cutters. Many contracts in the petroleum, power-generating, water-treatment and other sectors are interrelated. Under such circumstances, as long as one contract is on hold, even if the others have been approved, it is as if none of the related contracts had been approved either. For instance, Iraq has been permitted to import power generators, but the import of electricity cables is denied. It is common sense that without those cables none of the generators, with a total value of hundreds of millions of dollars, can serve any useful purpose, even though the installation might have been completed and the generators might be running.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“China has always provided positive cooperation with such unilateral requests, with the aim of facilitating the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Iraq. But members that have put holds on contracts do not respond in an efficient way. In July 1999, a Chinese company, which was going to export surgery microscopes to Iraq, provided detailed technical and end-user information in a timely manner. The purchaser and the supplier have not yet been informed of the outcome, despite repeated appeals by both parties for a response. Nobody knows how many patients in Iraq have suffered from the delay caused by the hold on this contract. In another case, last year's drought in Iraq created an urgent need for the import of water pipes.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Security Council resolutions strictly prohibit Member States from exporting any materials or equipment to Iraq for military purposes; to date there has been no evidence of violations in this regard by Member States in their exports to Iraq. The Secretary-General, when approving the distribution plans submitted by the Iraqi Government, also carries out a strict examination and check on all items to be procured so as to eliminate all items to be used for military purposes. Thus, we believe that all contracts scrutinized by the Office of the Iraq Programme and submitted for approval by the sanctions Committee should be considered as conforming to all the relevant United Nations stipulations. But some members still ask exporting companies for additional technical specifications and other information.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“According to the Office of the Iraq Programme's weekly report, by 6 March the number of contracts on hold from phase IV to phase VII had already exceeded 1,150, with a total value of more than $1.7 billion. Thus, in less than half a year, the number of contracts on hold doubled while their total value more than doubled. These figures alone reveal the seriousness of the problem. The Security Council has repeatedly debated this problem, which is not really a complicated one, yet to date no effective solution has been adopted. But where the crux of the problem lies is crystal clear to many people. One of the reasons given for putting holds on applications is that they involve dual-use items.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source
“Since last year, the Secretary-General has repeatedly asked the Security Council to approve that additional allocation; he reiterates the same request in his current report. We believe that the Security Council should take immediate action to resolve this long- outstanding issue. Coupled with the underlying weaknesses of the oil- for-food programme, the increasingly serious problem of holds on contracts has exacerbated the deplorable humanitarian situation in Iraq. The Secretary-General's report of last October (S/ 1999/1086) indicated that 572 projects with a total contracted value of some $700 million had been put on hold. The report before us today says in paragraph 205 that by the end of January the total value of contracts on hold had exceeded $1.5 billion.”
2000-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4120 (2000) · source