YouSaid · the spoken record

Wehbe

lines on the record: 606
first: 1997-03-06
most recent: 2003-09-04
sittings or episodes: 78
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

“Those principles will constitute the basis for achieving a just and comprehensive peace if they are accompanied by the necessary political will and are considered in the context of the Arab initiative launched at Beirut in March 2002.”
2003-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4752 (2003) · source
“That is why we submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council with the intention of declaring the Middle East region a zone free from weapons of mass destruction. It included a special paragraph noting the need to prevent any terrorist organization from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction. We had hoped that all members would support that draft resolution. We would like to thank the Prime Minister of Spain for recalling the need to establish peace in the Middle East region, and we would like to stress that the peace to be brought about in the region should be comprehensive and just and should be based on the Madrid terms of reference, as well as the provisions of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace.”
2003-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4752 (2003) · source
“We truly hope that we will be able to work together, here in the Council as well as in the General Assembly, with a view to arriving at an international understanding and definition of the concept of terrorism, determining the criteria that would enable us to define terrorism, as well as understanding and discussing its root causes and the need to address them in the context of international cooperation, including an international conference on the subject. It should not be left to each of us to develop his own definition of terrorism at whim. Mr. Aznar drew our attention to a very dangerous subject: the relationship between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. He was right to do so. We would like to stress here that Syria shares the concern of the Prime Minister of Spain.”
2003-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4752 (2003) · source
“Occupation and the practices of occupation are the most heinous manifestations of terrorism. We are fully confident that the unity of the Council in working to combat true terrorism will be a guarantee that all of us will be able to get rid of international terrorism in all its forms and evil manifestations. For its part, Syria is ready to continue to cooperate with the leadership of Spain in combating terrorism in implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), just as we cooperated in the past with Ambassador Greenstock. Syria was among the first countries to present its report to the CTC.”
2003-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4752 (2003) · source
“Aznar spoke about his friendly country's vision of the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in the coming period under the chairmanship of Spain. We stress our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including State terrorism. We would like to highlight once again our support for Spain in its leadership of the CTC and our readiness to make every possible effort to guarantee Spain's success in guiding this important aspect of the work of the Security Council. We are confident that Ambassador Arias will guide the work of the Committee diligently, with great diplomacy, skill and wisdom. We would like to take this opportunity to say that our people urgently need the support of the Council and the Counter-Terrorism Committee in putting an end to the occupation of their lands.”
2003-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4752 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): It is an honour for me to welcome His Excellency Mr. Jose Maria Aznar, Prime Minister of Spain, to the Security Council. I would like to assure him that his presence represents the bright side of Spain's commitment to the centrality of the role of the Security Council in combating the threats to peace and security that confront our world today. We express our confidence in the role that Spain will continue to play, inside and outside the Council, including in relation to the Arab-Israeli conflict. We would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this important meeting in the presence of Prime Minister Aznar. The fact that he is present is the most eloquent expression of the importance that Spain attaches to combating terrorism. Mr.”
2003-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4752 (2003) · source
“We believe that the communique could provide a frame of reference for Security Council consultations when the Council deals with the question of post-conflict Iraq in the framework of cooperation between the Security Council and regional organizations with respect to the importance of a regional role concerning Iraq and other countries.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“In that respect, we would like to underline the final communique issued by the countries neighbouring Iraq at the end of their meeting in Istanbul. The communique expressed the complete agreement among the countries neighbouring Iraq on the need to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and to enable the Iraqi people to elect their own legitimate Government according to their own free will and in complete freedom. The communique set out other important principles in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“On the other hand, maintaining those achievements depends on the ability to deal with similar challenges. In conclusion, we must reiterate the need to respect the sovereignty of post-conflict States, to pay special attention to specific national conditions and to let the people participate in deciding their own destiny. It is also necessary for the United Nations to provide all forms of assistance to those countries. That will help maintain the sovereignty and political independence of the peoples of those countries and will provide for their future. In that respect, I would like to recall the regional role to which Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock referred. Cooperation is necessary between the United Nations and regional organizations, on which a special Council meeting has already been held.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“The results of recent elections in Sierra Leone and the assistance given to the Government to extend its control in the face of great difficulties, would not have been successful without the political will and the financial and human resources that were invested in the country. We feel satisfaction at the progress achieved in Afghanistan with respect to establishing a new constitution, the preparatory work for elections and the further progress in the implementation of the transitional political programme established at the Bonn conference. However, it is of prime importance that ownership of the constitutional and political process should be fully in the hands of the Afghan people. They themselves must freely take the decisions on political issues affecting the future of their country, as reflected in the Kabul declaration.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“The United Nations has helped to achieve much progress in rebuilding State structures in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste, not to mention its steps to transfer authority from the United Nations to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo. The establishment of authority and the two rounds of elections that took place there along with the independence of Timor-Leste, are among the United Nations success stories that must be recognized. However, much remains to be done to achieve further success. That can be accomplished by means of coordination among all the international organizations and agencies concerned.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“The United Nations must assume a prominent role in helping the Iraqi people to maintain its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. We must enable the Iraqi people to elect its own Government in total freedom, to conduct its own business and to return Iraq to the international arena. Iraq is a country with a prominent place in history. I support the vision of the Secretary-General, as outlined in his statement this morning, of the role that the United Nations and the Security Council have to play, as well as his appeal to the Security Council to regain and preserve its unity, because the settlement of the Iraq question cannot be fair or just without the effective participation of the United Nations.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“The success of the United Nations in such cases can clearly be attributed to the assertion of political will by the international community to assist those societies and countries and to implement an ambitious development programme, including programmes for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants and the reintegration of internally displaced persons and refugees; development projects; and the restoration of State institutions. Such ambitious programmes could not have been even partially successful without international political and financial assistance or the availability of resources. We now turn to the question of Iraq. In his statement today, the Secretary-General focused on this problem.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“This reflects the fact that money spent to address the effects of destruction is better invested in the economic and social development of those countries, preventing the eruption of conflict and sidelining narrow, selfish interests. The United Nations has had many successful experiences in post-conflict peace-building, the benefits of which are crystal-clear to all in many instances. I shall mention but a few examples, such as that of Sierra Leone, although there remains a great deal to do there. There are also the examples of Timor- Leste, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Angola, the Congo and, most recently, Iraq. Iraq sorely needs the United Nations to assume a significant role in helping the Iraqi people to rebuild their country.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“The question of the role of the United Nations in post-conflict situations is of growing importance. There is no doubt that the United Nations has played a truly important role in helping many countries to overcome the consequences of conflicts that have afflicted them and in restoring the institutional structures of those countries. We believe, however, that the role of the international community in addressing the root causes of conflicts and in preventing such conflicts should continue to be of high priority on our agenda. That role is necessary in order to avert a great deal of suffering for millions of people that could have been prevented in advance, in accordance with the Arab proverb to the effect that prevention is better than treatment.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I am pleased to welcome your decision, Sir, to convene this wrap-up meeting on a matter of primary importance, following a long interruption of such meetings. Indeed, we believe that this meeting offers a great opportunity to assess the work of the Security Council for this month. I welcome the presence at this meeting of the Secretary-General and the Presidents of the General Assembly and of the Economic and Social Council. Their participation reflects the importance of coordination among the main organs of the United Nations in a manner that serves the purposes and principles of the Charter and the interests of the entire world. I am also pleased to pay tribute, Sir, to your wise leadership of the work of the Security Council during your presidency.”
2003-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4748 (2003) · source
“Annabi that there has been an increase in the number of returning refugees and displaced persons. We reaffirm the need for continued dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, so that the Provisional Institutions can join UNMIK in its efforts to establish a direct dialogue on practical issues with neighbouring countries. We agree with the observations contained in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2003/42l), and we reaffirm that the process of transferring responsibilities must be studied thoroughly so that we will not create unforeseen problems as a result of haste, especially during the transfer process, which requires greater security and closer attention. Finally, we should like to thank Mr. Steiner and UNMIK for their efforts to achieve a settlement and stability in that important part of the world.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“We believe that we should now focus on establishing the rule of law, combating organized crime and preventing ethnic violence, in order to create the right atmosphere for a smooth transfer of powers, which will lead to stabilization of the political and security situation in Kosovo. Moreover, we must ensure freedom of movement everywhere in Kosovo for all segments of society, in a way that will guarantee their security and safety and will encourage their participation in all economic sectors in the rebuilding of the province, which has experienced tension for so long. We believe that if such a security situation is created, it will lead to the return of refugees and emigres to their country in order to participate in the rebuilding of Kosovo and will encourage more focused investment in all sectors of society. We also heard from Mr.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“In addition, the establishment of the Transfer Council will lead to coordination of efforts in methodically transferring responsibilities to Kosovo's local authorities. We welcome the holding of the first meeting and the establishment of the three working groups, on finance, technical assistance, and monitoring and intervention. At the same time, we regret that rivalries among parties within the Provisional Institutions prevented more progress from being made in important areas. The shattered political infrastructure of the Kosovo Albanians has affected the work of the Government and of the presidency of the Kosovo Assembly. Those rivalries are undermining the role of both institutions and are threatening their stability.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syria) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation would like to thank Mr. Hedi Annabi for his frank and comprehensive briefing to the Council this morning on the latest developments in Kosovo. We also welcome the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (S/2003/421). My delegation is pleased with the important progress made in the first three months of this year, reflected in the transfer of further powers to Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in accordance with chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework. Likewise, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General will retain the responsibilities reserved for him under chapter 8 of the Constitutional Framework.”
2003-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4742 (2003) · source
“We fully agree with the representative of the European Union that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security lies with the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. We welcome his statement that the European Union is determined to support the Security Council in shouldering its responsibilities within the framework of the United Nations. I note that we respect that European Union position, particularly in the light of what we have recently witnessed with regard to taking action outside the Council's competence and leapfrogging the Charter of the United Nations with respect to the Iraqi question.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“We also believe in Arab-European cooperation in all its aspects - which is a source of pride to us - in Arab-African cooperation and in Arab cooperation with regional organizations. We value highly European Union participation in meetings of the Arab League during the Iraqi crisis and in meetings of the Security Council when the Iraqi question was under consideration, as well as European partnership meetings - all in the interest of international peace and security. We believe that there is an urgent need for the close sharing of information between the United Nations system and regional organizations. We must promote cooperation between the United Nations and all regional organizations, particularly with regard to issues that those organizations have in common with the Security Council and the rest of the United Nations.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“Amre Moussa, Secretary- General of the League of Arab States - whom we welcome and thank for his detailed statement, which focused on the thoughts and feelings prevailing in the Arab region and the bitterness pervading everyone's spirit with regard to the developments now occurring in the Middle East - spoke in detail about the cooperative role that the Arab League has played without any reciprocation on the part of the Security Council. I fully concur with what he said concerning the situation in Iraq. I welcome all the representatives of regional organizations who are present at today's meeting, but I should especially like to welcome the representative of the European Union, who just spoke, and to emphasize that we believe in close cooperation among regional organizations.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“We hope that, in the future, regional organizations will be in a better position to promote cooperation between themselves and the United Nations in order to guarantee peace and security in all their aspects, particularly in the light of an international environment in which in the past few weeks the Security Council and we its members have clearly failed to stop the outbreak of a war and have continued to be unable to deal with an invasion of a Member State. We hope that the Security Council will resume its truly effective role, using diplomacy to prevent the outbreak of conflicts. Mr.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“In the light of the bitter realities in the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world, Syria calls for the establishment of a network of mechanisms to ensure effective international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations - forsaking the traditional methods that have failed to date - in order to implement the principles and purposes of the Charter and those of international law and legitimacy, to put an end to international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations - particularly State terrorism - and to comprehensively put an end to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through the establishment of zones free of weapons of mass destruction in those regions and through the promotion and strengthening of agreements and conventions in that regard, not allowing any country to be exempt from such comprehensive mechanisms in a way that threatens peace and security.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“There is continuous aggression against Palestinian people, which has increased with the invasion of Iraq. The Arab-Israeli conflict has continued for decades now, without the Council and the international community finding a solution. Now, we are facing a new situation in Iraq, which is very complicated. Those two examples alone reveal our dire need, in the presence of a failure in the mechanism intended to maintain international peace and security, to improve the ways and means that the Security Council uses to maintain peace and security, by providing an opportunity for regional organizations to play an enhanced role in that endeavour.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We wish to welcome you personally among us once again in the Council, Mr. President, and to thank you and your Mission for holding this very important meeting. It is being held within the framework of the importance that your friendly country, Mexico, has given it. It has an historical importance, for this matter is the core of Chapter VIII and Article 52 of the Charter, concerning regional arrangements in the maintenance of international peace and security. It is appropriate to the purposes and principles of the Charter. The great importance of discussing this issue stems also from the fact that it comes at a crucial stage for regional developments, particularly those in the Palestinian question and the invasion of Iraq.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“Our vote should in no way be construed as an acceptance of the American-British occupation; it should be understood as an attempt to continue to work to put an end to that occupation and to achieve the withdrawal of the invading forces from the Republic of Iraq. In addition, our vote should not be interpreted by any side as granting legitimacy to the invasion. The resolution's contents - including the references in operative paragraphs 4 and 5 to the Secretary-General undertaking certain measures as an urgent first step and performing additional functions as a second step - mean only that we are trying to cooperate with the current Iraqi Government in that urgent work.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4732 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): In accordance with the position of the Syrian Arab Republic - which is committed to the resolutions of international legitimacy - and with the role of the United Nations and the need to revitalize that role in response to the humanitarian needs of the brotherly Iraqi people by restarting the oil for food programme, and in the light of the fact that the Security Council adopted this resolution as the first resolution to address the repercussions of the American-British invasion of Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic would like to stress that it voted in favour of the resolution for humanitarian purposes, as its sole objective is to relieve Iraqi citizens' suffering, which has reached new heights as a result of this war.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4732 (2003) · source
“It must call on the aggressor immediately to withdraw its forces from Iraq, to respect international legitimacy and international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention, and to put an end to the policy of destroying the infrastructure that was built by Iraqis with their sacrifice and sweat. Syria calls for a return to international legitimacy and for respect for international law under the auspices of the United Nations and the Security Council. We urge that international issues be dealt with in a just and balanced manner. We must condemn the double standards that are used in dealing with international issues, in particular that of ending the Israeli occupation of Arab land and the peaceful resolution of the Iraqi issue.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Nevertheless, humanitarian aspects must not be exploited by some for narrow political gain or for the purpose of misleading international public opinion and diverting its attention away from the central issue - an end to aggression and an immediate withdrawal of the invading forces. Syria urges the Security Council to make every effort to put an end to this destructive war and to prevent it from reaping the lives of more Iraqi and non- Iraqi innocent citizens. We call on the Security Council to take up this grave situation, because the Council is the essential point of reference in such difficult international circumstances.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Some have attempted to mislead the world, claiming that the wars they will wage this century will be "clean" wars. But when has killing and destruction ever been clean? War is war, and has been since the beginning of history. People have an increasing hatred of such wars when they are waged without legal document, in flagrant defiance of international law and humanity. Our fear is that the victory sought by the United States of America will come at the expense of the blood of thousands of Iraqi innocents, for whose benefit, the United States claims, the war is being waged, in order to rescue or liberate them. But who gave the United States and others any such right? The urgent humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people are a pressing issue that must be taken up. Syria will make every effort to do so.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Could the world, which not that long ago emerged from the quagmire of the cold war, have imagined that the alternative would be the people of Iraq, including the children, rushing to shelters, many dying and others losing their homes in Umm Qasr, Baghdad, Mosul, Nasiriyah and Najaf? Who could have imagined that the values of democracy, on which the American and other peoples have been schooled, would translate into bombs and fires, burning innocent civilians in various parts of Iraq? Could the Syrian workers who were fleeing the flames of battle in major Iraqi cities - 5 of whom were killed and more than 10 wounded - have imagined that American warplanes would come from afar, without justification, to kill and wound them, merely because they were seeking safety and security for themselves and for their families?”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The objective is to occupy Iraq, to subject the region to hegemony and exploitation, and to help Israel - which does possess weapons of mass destruction and perpetrates war crimes against the Palestinian people - continue its occupation and defy the will of international legitimacy. At their meeting that concluded two days ago in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers condemned the Anglo- American attack against Iraq. They stressed the solidarity of Arab States with Iraq and their support for Iraq in facing up to aggression. Syria wishes to underline the statement issued by the Arab foreign ministers, particularly their call for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Anglo- American invading troops from Iraqi territory, and its belief that those forces should bear the brunt of the material, legal and moral aftermath of this aggression.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The war is an act of defiance of the Security Council itself, the great majority of whose members refused to adopt another resolution. They all demanded respect for Council resolutions, particularly resolution 1441 (2002). They called for the continued activities of international inspectors based on the proactive cooperation shown by Iraq, as reflected in the reports of the inspectors submitted to the Security Council. This war is not justifiable because it is not aimed at the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The inspectors have stressed that there is no evidence of the existence of such weapons.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“What is most regrettable is not just that a State with tremendous military power has attacked a country weakened by sanctions and an embargo imposed on it for more than 12 years. Rather, what is really regrettable is the collapse of a system of values to which the international community has agreed, whether it concerns the use of military force or respect for international humanitarian law. That system that began to crystallise at the end of the nineteenth century and evolved to a high degree, which we all see today. The aggression that the United States of America has introduced into the twenty-first century will be recorded by history as a black page, because the United States has turned its back and has closed its ears to the appeals of international public opinion, which said no to war.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We have stressed that there is no legal or moral justification for waging this war against the Iraqi people. We have also cautioned that unilateral action by the United States and its circumvention of the will of the international community, as represented in the Security Council, would lead to grave consequences, particularly to division and chaos in international relations. Such consequences would arise because of the harm done to international legitimacy and to the credibility and role of the Council in achieving international peace and security, for which it was created, and because the logic of military force, hegemony and diktat are being imposed on international relations, instead of democracy and mutual respect.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): The United States of America and the United Kingdom carried out their threats to initiate a war of aggression against Iraq, circumventing international legitimacy. The United Nations, international legitimacy, international law and all institutions of international cooperation that were specifically created following the Second World War have engaged in an intense debate on the real capacity to stop the strong when they attack the weak and on the possibility of imposing their resolutions on the strong when the particular interests of the strong run counter to the interests of the international community and to peace and security in the world. During the debates at the highest level, particularly in the Security Council, Syria warned of the danger of overlooking Council resolutions.”
2003-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726Resumption1 (2003) · source
“My delegation believes that discussion of this problem in its general framework definitely applies to this important part of the African continent. There is no doubt that we should follow up the question closely and draw the necessary lessons from what has happened in those lands. Finally, we believe that cooperation with regional and subregional organizations is essential for the achievement of the United Nations objectives of peace and security in West Africa, in all parts of Africa as a whole and in the entire world.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Many armed conflicts in Africa are the result of extended political instability and the presence of valuable natural resources that other foreign entities try to control by encouraging and arming their allies within those countries so that they can take power. Later, such acts are carried out by mercenaries who have the individual military skills or by what are called military security companies, which use well-organized small armies of mercenaries in order to calm the situation in any of those countries. It is wrong to think that such private military security companies can help in managing the affairs of the countries in which they operate. The problem of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the use of mercenaries threatens peace and security in West Africa and other parts of the world.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Those resolutions describe the use of mercenaries against national liberation movements struggling against colonialist domination or other forms of foreign occupation as a crime. The political problems and disputes among neighbouring countries, especially in West Africa, have led to armed conflicts, and the presence of mercenaries is a recognized fact in all these conflicts. That has led to barbaric actions and the continuation of wars. Although the phenomenon of mercenaries is not limited to West Africa, Africa is the continent where it has continued and has done the most harm. We have heard many ministers and representatives confirm that.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“It is also a violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The General Assembly and the Security Council have adopted many resolutions condemning the use of mercenaries as a form of external interference in the internal affairs of States in cases where the purpose is to undermine the stability of such countries and to violate their territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. The relevant United Nations resolutions have emphasized the need to prevent the training, financing and recruitment of mercenaries and their being sent from one country to another. They also underline the need not to offer them any facilities, including financing, in order to equip them and to give them the opportunity to go to other countries.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“A mechanism must be established to stop the exportation of small arms to non-State entities, such as combatants and mercenaries, and sanctions must be imposed on manufacturers, arms traffickers and middlemen who do that. We need to give financial and technical support to national programmes aimed at reintegrating the demobilized combatants and those illicitly possessing small arms. With respect to the question of mercenaries, my delegation believes that armed conflict, illicit trafficking and covert operations by third countries lead, inter alia, to an increase in the demand for mercenaries in the international market. It is part of supply and demand. The recruitment, financing, training and use of mercenaries are part of this. It is a great cause of concern to all countries.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“It also undermines the efforts at peace and negotiations, victimizes children, women and vulnerable groups in particular, and creates a climate propitious to the looting of valuable minerals, especially in West Africa. My delegation believes that the way to deal with this question in general, and in West Africa in particular, lies in encouraging measures designed to restore peace, security and confidence among countries so that resorting to weapons is made less necessary; in promoting measures to prevent conflicts and seeking negotiated solutions; and in taking all necessary measures to control the circulation of small arms and light weapons and their possession, use, transfer and stockpiling.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The international community's adoption of the Programme of Action of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects in July 2001 was an important step forward in dealing with one of the most urgent problems confronting international peace and security: the tragedy of the unruly and excessive proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the illicit trafficking of them. Those are among the most important reasons for the continuation and the fanning of conflicts all over the world. The illicit trade in small arms, especially in West Africa, adds to the violence and contributes to the displacement of innocent people, spreads the culture of violence and undermines the stability of societies.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“In that context, we would like to confirm the need to respect international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of Members States, the right to individual or collective self-defence as stipulated by Article 51 of the Charter, the right of peoples to self-determination and the right of Member States to develop their own defence systems to guarantee their national security.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We are pleased to see you, Sir, once again, within two weeks, presiding over an important meeting. We would also like to thank you for your initiative, which led to putting this item on the agenda this month, in view of its importance in many parts of the world, and especially West Africa. It is our pleasure to welcome the Ministers and the representatives of the regional organizations who are with us today. Today's meeting is one in a series of important meetings held by the Security Council on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the phenomenon of mercenaries, in view of their negative effects on West Africa.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Even more important, we must address absence of independence on the part of those who serve on the teams. In conclusion, we should like to say that sanctions are an important tool that has often been used by the Security Council, but they are also a grave and sensitive matter. The time has come for us to unite our official and academic efforts to establish new tools that are less harmful to people's humanitarian, economic and moral welfare and more effective in carrying out the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“That is particularly true for States whose vital interests are compromised as a result of sanctions, leading to grave economic damage. Here, we should rule out any punitive or coercive enforcement measures; these should be replaced by cooperation and understanding. Lack of cooperation and of understanding vis-a-vis affected countries, countries lacking in resources and indeed neighbouring countries will hinder the implementation of Security Council resolutions and will undermine their credibility. Fifthly, with respect to reporting and monitoring, monitoring groups and expert groups and mechanisms are among the most important tools available to the United Nations for the implementation of sanctions. However, we must seek out competent individuals, and we must avoid duplication and lack of continuity in their work.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“Thirdly, we emphasize that sanctions must have time limits, to be renewed through resolutions adopted by the Security Council should it become evident that the targeted entity or State has failed to comply and should their significance, effectiveness and impact be deemed still relevant. It is essential that the Council immediately lift sanctions once compliance - as defined in the relevant resolution - is verified or once they are no longer necessary. Sanctions should not continue for decades as a people suffers - or as many peoples suffer. Fourthly, we must understand the difficulties faced by States - particularly by those neighbouring the targeted entity - especially with regard to their ability to implement sanctions.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source