YouSaid · the spoken record

Williamson

lines on the record: 252
first: 2002-01-30
most recent: 2003-07-07
sittings or episodes: 30
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

“In that regard, I have a question for the representative of the African Union. Several African States face internal instability and conflicts that, while not immediate threats to peace and security, nonetheless require the attention and assistance of the international community. The Security Council takes up those issues, but often a coordinated economic and political approach is needed. Guinea-Bissau is one example; another is the Central African Republic. What role could the African Union's new Peace and Security Council play in addressing those problems? The United States will continue to support the development of the sustained capacity of subregional organizations and African militaries to prevent, mitigate and resolve conflicts and crises.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“Gaviria whether, as he considers the problems and challenges facing regions other than our own, he thinks that there are areas in which the Organization of American States has developed expertise that can be shared with other regional organizations and whether there are models of cooperation with the United Nations that can be adapted usefully by others. Additionally, I would like to touch briefly on just two areas in which regional organizations can work in conjunction with the United Nations. First, the United Nations should rely increasingly on regional organizations to assume responsibility for peacekeeping efforts. In that regard, I praise the decision of the African Union to establish a Peace and Security Council to resolve and manage conflicts on the African continent.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“Regional organizations - as opposed to those of us here in New York - have a far greater vested interest in, and sensitivity to, regional situations, not least because they recognize that a crisis in a neighbouring State can soon become their own crisis. Regional organizations help to impose responsibility upon their member States, strengthening the will of States to deal with regional problems. Regional organizations have a great deal to teach, and learn, from each other. From supervising elections to training police, from economic development to regional law enforcement and from border control to the establishment of the rule of law, expertise transcends national and regional boundaries. A worthy outcome of this meeting would be the development of a systematic way to share that expertise. I would like to ask Mr.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General for his remarks. I would also like to thank Mr. Gaviria for his thoughtful presentation. The United States is committed to its membership in the Organization of American States (OAS), and believes that there is a vital role for regional and subregional organizations to play in the furtherance of peace and security. One thing that can be a limitation on the United Nations is that it can be too distant and too bureaucratic - a victim of its own success, with many more Members than its founders could have imagined. The United Nations is often stretched thin in efforts to respond to problems in all corners of the globe.”
2003-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4739 (2003) · source
“Too much is at stake, not just for America, but for all of us. Before closing, allow me once again to thank Ambassador Greenstock for all of his efforts. We are confident that he has left the chairmanship in good hands, and pledge our full support to Ambassador Arias and his delegation during the coming period.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“We cannot tolerate unwilling States to be the weak link that undermines the international community's shared counter-terrorism effort. These States must accept their obligation to the world at large. Ultimately, each Member State bears a special responsibility to fight terrorism. Those that harbour and support terrorists must be held accountable. They must be exposed, named and shamed. Shared vigilance must remain our watchword. Increased expectations, we believe, will result in increased accountability. Although important progress has been achieved, the international community's counter-terrorism efforts remain incomplete. Shared attention and commitment will be needed for years to come. We cannot become complacent, nor afford to fail in our long-term counter- terrorism efforts.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“We must remain ever vigilant in our effort to end the plague of terrorism and to protect our freedom. The United States strongly encourages willing and able States to do more, my own Government included. The United States can do better. We are still learning how to deal better with our ongoing threats at our own borders, in our skies and across our land. The United States remains strongly committed to helping unable but willing States to achieve greater counter-terrorism successes. Increased assistance and capacity are key in this shared effort. The Counter- Terrorism Committee has made important strides that will require follow-up, both multilaterally and bilaterally. Finally, the United States emphasizes that unwilling States, whatever the reason, must be encouraged and, indeed, pressured, as necessary, to do more.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“We look forward to discussing these and other ideas for enhancing the effectiveness of the Counter-Terrorism Committee during the early period of Ambassador Arias's chairmanship. The work of the Committee established under resolution 1267 (1999) under the able leadership of Ambassador Valdes should also be noted. It, too, constituted a key part of the United Nations counter- terrorism effort. Security Council resolution 1455 (2003) rightly focuses on improved Member State implementation of the Al Qaeda Taliban sanctions regime. The United States believes strongly that the counter-terrorism expectations for Member States should be set high. We all can and should do more to meet the challenged posed by terrorists, who continue to seek to destroy the very fabric that binds us together.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“For example, each CTC member should direct its overseas missions to analyse the written reports against the reality of implementation and share this analysis with the CTC and its experts. Moreover, the Counter-Terrorism Committee should request international, regional and subregional organizations to undertake such assessments, which can complement the work of the CTC without duplicating it. Organizations such as the World Bank, the World Customs Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization are well placed to conduct these assessments. Such an approach would be an appropriate result of the 6 March Counter-Terrorism Committee special meeting. In addition, we believe that some form of site visits might be necessary to ascertain the truth on the ground in certain instances.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“Effective monitoring of Member States' actual on-the-ground efforts to implement resolution 1373 (2001) is necessary for the full global implementation of the resolution and for the continuing efficacy of the CTC. The CTC enjoys a strong mandate to monitor implementation, and this effort should be given high priority. As the CTC begins to focus on effectiveness, it will need to go beyond the review of written reports. For example, we will have to determine whether States' police, intelligence, judicial, customs and immigration institutions are operating effectively. The United States believes that the Committee must expand its tool kit in order to conduct a credible review of these issues.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“In its review of more than 300 reports from Member States to date, the Counter-Terrorism Committee is focused on identifying legislative gaps in States' capacity to fight terrorism and working with States and assistance providers to ensure that those gaps can be filled. This approach is paying dividends, but in order for the CTC to be effective, to remain credible, this work must translate into on-the-ground results. As Ambassador Greenstock said at the Security Council in January, it is time for the Counter-Terrorism Committee to move up a notch. The CTC will soon be focusing on whether States are actually implementing the legal and political measures necessary to prevent terrorism, so that we can name and shame those States that fail to meet their responsibilities.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“These include donors of assistance in the different substantive areas covered by resolution 1373 (2001) and international, regional and subregional organizations, enhancing the effectiveness of action against terrorism by their member States. The special meeting of 6 March, which brought more than 65 other organizations together, will not only help solidify these relationships and raise the counter-terrorism profile in these organizations, but it will also reinforce the central role that the CTC plays in the international effort to increase capacity. The United States is pleased that the Organization of American States (OAS) has agreed to hold a follow- up conference in Washington for regional and subregional organizations, and we look forward to providing support to the OAS on this initiative.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“As President Bush has said, the world is threatened by the risk of the world's most destructive weapons getting into the hands of the world's most vicious predators: terrorists of the world. Fighting terrorism and stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction are critical to a safer, more secure world. The Counter-Terrorism Committee's task is to increase the capability of every Member State to deal with terrorism. All Governments must take effective steps to ensure that there is no support, active or passive, for terrorism anywhere. Chairman Greenstock saw early on that the Counter-Terrorism Committee could not accomplish this task alone. It needs the help of others.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“It is not acceptable to intentionally target innocent civilians for violent attacks. The United Nations Security Council must continue our work to fight terrorism. This threat must be met. The United Nations has made a valuable contribution in setting norms against terrorism. The United Nations is doing important work through the 1267 Committee to interrupt the financial flow to terrorists, to force them out of their comfort zone, to diminish the capacity of terrorists to do their evil acts. And the United Nations is in a unique position to help build the capacity of the international community to fight terrorism. And through the Counter-Terrorism Committee, under the leadership of Ambassador Greenstock, the United Nations has begun to make this important contribution to the fight against terrorism.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“In particular, I mention Anna Clunes, who was Ambassador Greenstock's indispensable right-hand person throughout his chairmanship, and his legal counsel, Iain MacLeod, They have done exceptional work. I also want to join in thanking the Vice- Chairman of the CTC and the CTC experts. Unfortunately, terrorism remains a clear and present danger, an ongoing threat to international peace and security. It is a violent outrage that must be dealt with. In the last year, there have been major terrorist attacks in Bali and Kenya. Earlier this year, there was a terrorist attack against the United States consulate in Karachi, killing 2 Pakistani guards. Recently, there was an attack in the Philippines. Unfortunately, there continue to be frequent terrorist attacks in the Middle East and elsewhere.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“Mr. President, we, too, look forward to a productive month under your leadership. We join others in thanking our Guinean colleague for his leadership as Council President in March. Eighteen months after the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the United States joins others in paying tribute to the work of the CTC Chairman, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock, as he passes the baton to Ambassador Arias. Ambassador Greenstock's Vision and vigorous and committed leadership has helped put the CTC at the centre of the international community's efforts to combat terrorism. His chairmanship was an outstanding success. I also take this opportunity to thank the United Kingdom delegation for all of the hard work and creative work that was necessary to keep up with such an energetic ambassador, and translating his vision into reality.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“As we know, until stage II is certified, a constitutional assembly cannot be established and further steps towards autonomy cannot be taken, and the longer we wait, the greater the chances for another break-in and theft of containerized weapons. We believe our focus must be on driving this process forward, not on lowering expectations. The time to achieve this task is not unlimited. It is important for all of us to remember that the clock is ticking. The Peace Monitoring Group is leaving in June after making an outstanding contribution to the island's future. UNPOB itself will depart in December. Progress towards the autonomy of the people of Bougainville is far too important to be further delayed.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“He has remained outside the peace process for five years, and it seems unrealistic to expect this will change any time soon. The vast majority of Bougainville's 185,000 people have shown that they are keen to move forward with steps towards autonomy now. The welcome completion of a draft Constitution by the Bougainville Constitutional Commission is clear evidence of this point. It is important that the international community not allow perfection to be the enemy of progress. One small, marginalized band should not be allowed to hold the entire peace process hostage, delaying UNPOB's certification of stage II indefinitely. My delegation wonders at what point UNPOB will be ready to certify that a sufficient number of weapons have been containerized.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“The United States Government welcome the progress that has been made towards the achievement of stage II of weapons disposal, the containerization of weapons. The report indicates that 80 per cent of Bougainville had reached stage II by the end of February. We congratulate UNPOB for its role in this excellent achievement, and we applaud the leadership of the main Bougainville factions for their clear commitment to the peace process. We are heartened that the security situation has greatly improved on the island. The report raises concerns about the renegade group led by Francis Ona and his decision to remain outside the peace process. However, we question how serious a problem this really represents. We understand that the main Bougainville factions do not see Ona as a grave threat. His small band seems to have been marginalized.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“I wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Tiirk for his useful briefing. We welcome this first-ever written report on the progress of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOB). Having a regular written report is a great help to Council members in assessing UNPOB's progress, particularly as the Office approaches the 31 December end date for its mission. We would have liked to see laid out more clearly a timetable and benchmarks for UNPOB's exit strategy, including specific steps UNPOB plans in order to meet each benchmark on time. We hope that the report prepared for the Security Council's next discussion on this subject could be modified and more detailed in this regard.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“Let me reiterate that the United States strongly believes in Timor-Leste and its future. The Government of the United States is committed to helping the people of that young country enjoy the privileges and responsibilities of their hard-won independence. We will continue to support their efforts to develop a free, secure and prosperous society, and, among our other contributions, we are committed to working through UNMISET towards that end. We share the objectives of the report so thoughtfully presented by Under-Secretary-General Guehenno today. The international community, the Security Council and UNMISET must remain committed to helping Timor-Leste. Our difficulty is not in the objectives, but in how to achieve them. We believe that the best response to recent developments is a greater focus on strengthening the police.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“It would be helpful to have further details on what is wrong with the current CIVPOL programme, on what would be entailed in a restructuring programme and on how much changes would cost. We would like to request that the Secretariat come back to the Security Council with a revised proposal that focuses on strengthening the police. The report could also include recommendations on reorienting the peacekeeping force and perhaps on a modest adjustment to peacekeeping troop levels. In considering any changes to UNMISET's way forward, we must be guided by the Mission's fundamental purpose. It is worth reminding ourselves that the goal of UNMISET is not to ensure that Timor-Leste is problem-free, but to ensure that Timor-Leste has the capacity to handle its own problems. Its independence and self-reliance are a proper objective.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“Relying on peacekeepers as a crutch does nothing to directly strengthen East Timor's own capabilities. It would not be prudent or wise to pretend otherwise. If the police are considered incapable of handling their duties, then let us concentrate on making them capable. That is our challenge; that is the mission of UNMISET. We note that the report contains suggestions with regard to adjusting the timing of the transfer of police executive authority and to revamping police training. Another good idea is to consider freezing the drawdown of the United Nations civilian police (CIVPOL) contingent. These proposals on UNMISET's police component are very helpful, but little detail or explanation has been provided by the Secretariat.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“Recent incidents have occurred with the present level of 3,900 troops in place. There is no reason to believe that keeping this same number will end such incidents. If we freeze troop levels when incidents occur but incidents are still taking place in December, will we not hear the same case made that troop levels should stay at 3,900? We would support a reorientation of the peacekeeping force to better meet the current threat. Units could focus more on tracking down the gunmen behind recent attacks and could redeploy from low-risk to high-risk areas. Some efforts have been made in that regard, but more could be done. Moreover, the United States believes that greater focus should be given to strengthening the capacity of the police. The peacekeepers will ultimately leave Timor-Leste, but the country's police will stay.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“We do not see a compelling case for a peacekeeping draw- down pause, a pause that would actually add 1,000 peacekeepers beyond current draw-down levels. We have difficulty seeing why a peacekeeping force of 2,780 - the force level by July 2003, per the current drawdown - would be incapable of helping the police to handle small numbers of bandits or ex-militia members. If a compelling case were made, we could be open to a more modest adjustment in this area. It would be welcome if numbers of peacekeepers alone could solve this problem. It would be nice to believe that to pause the drawdown would solve the isolated security incidents. It is tempting to believe that the prudent answer to the isolated incidents of violent activity is to be found in numbers. Numbers, however, do not seem to be the real issue.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“The report cites two recent shooting incidents, involving a total of about 40 armed men. Those events are troubling, though we take some comfort from the fact that they are relatively small in scale. We are aware that there are rumours of more gunmen lurking in the bush, but those reports, fortunately, seem speculative. We note that UNMISET'S mandate gives police, not peacekeepers, the prime responsibility to handle internal security incidents like those witnessed recently. That is the proper division of labour. It is the job of the police to address domestic violence. Peacekeepers can provide backup to the police, but our goal should be for that to happen as a last resort, not as a matter of course.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“Notwithstanding the isolated incidences of violence, there has been a great deal of progress in Timor-Leste, as reviewed in the Secretary-General's November report (S/2002/1223) and as noted this morning by Under-Secretary-General Guehenno. In particular, we note that the growing cooperation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia is especially encouraging. We have carefully reviewed the recommendations made in the Secretary-General's thoughtful report of 3 March (S/2003/243). We share the concern of others over the violent incidents that have occurred in the last three months, and we are saddened by the resulting deaths of over 10 people. Violence such as that is always worrisome. We agree that the security situation in Timor-Leste has changed to some degree.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“That achievement bodes well for both countries, and it is a very encouraging step for Timor-Leste's economic future. Like our colleagues in this Chamber, the United States is committed to helping Timor-Leste as it continues its journey to become a viable, secure, sustainable and prosperous State. That is why the United States Government has contributed $82 million in bilateral assistance to the people of Timor-Leste over the last three years, and $400 million to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor and its predecessor operation in the same period. The United States wants Timor-Leste to succeed, and the United States Government is dedicated to doing all that is required to help that happen.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Jean- Marie Guehenno for his useful presentation. Before I turn to the proposals we have just heard, let me say two things. First, the United States adds its voice to the condolences expressed to the Republic of Korea over the tragic drowning accident that claimed the lives of five of its peacekeepers in Timor-Leste last week. The Korean contingent has done an outstanding job in the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), and we mourn the loss of those good men. Secondly, on a more positive note, we congratulate the Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia for successfully concluding negotiations on a revenue-sharing agreement for gas and petroleum resources in the Timor Sea.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“The United States reiterates its appreciation for the commitment made by the Governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Germany in helping to further the ongoing consideration of ways to improve the design and implementation of targeted multilateral sanctions. While our joint work on these matters remains unfinished, the outcome documents generated by the discussions in Sweden, Germany and Switzerland have helped point us in useful and important directions. We will continue to lend our support to ongoing efforts to improve the effectiveness of sanctions while minimizing their unintended consequences where possible.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“Unfortunately, there are States with the capacity but which are unwilling to combat terrorism. Those countries should be held to account. As Counter- Terrorism Committee Chairman Sir Jeremy Greenstock told the Council in January, we must put some teeth into this effort. In conclusion, first let me respond to an intervention by an earlier delegation and make clear that the United States believes that sanctions measures should be tied directly to the described change in policy and behaviour of targeted actors, rather than artificially linked to the duration of sanctions to an arbitrary time limit.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“The international community should continue to seek improvements by Member States in their implementation of all sanction regimes. Gaps in capacity need to be highlighted and better addressed. There are countries with the will and capacity to fight terrorism. There are countries with the will but which lack the capacity to build an adequate infrastructure of laws, border controls, export controls, financial controls, etc. We encourage Governments to assist willing but unable States to improve their capacities, whether through the training of national authorities, increased border controls, the adoption of national legislation or the use of expertise offered by specialized international agencies. This is an area where the United Nations and lead countries can make an enormous contribution by helping others.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“In this regard, the United States delegation notes that the Secretariat previously established a roster of experts to serve on United Nations expert panels and monitoring mechanisms. The United States recommends that the Secretariat now seek from all Member States the names of qualified experts in such areas as arms control, border monitoring, financing controls and other relevant areas for immediate addition to the roster. The United States also believes that it is imperative that the Secretariat establish an informal system that would document and categorize the relevant findings and recommendations of the various expert groups currently and previously authorized by the Security Council with a view to generating commonalities in the work of their groups as well as reducing overlap and increasing efficiency.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) is making a significant contribution to the war against terrorism. This is also an area where the United Nations is playing a big role to disrupt terrorist networks, curb their effectiveness and limit their reach. The Al Qaeda/Taliban sanctions regime is, by its very nature, targeted against terrorists and their supporters. Security Council resolution 1455 (2003), adopted in January as a presidential text, should improve Member States' implementation of these sanctions - a key theme emphasized in the Stockholm Process. Another area that received significant consideration under the Stockholm Process was enhancing the United Nations role in sanctions implementation.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“Fortunately, the community of nations - individually, in coalitions and in the United Nations - is trying to confront this danger. The recent shift in the focus of Security Council-imposed sanctions beyond geographic borders appropriately reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that the threat of international terrorism is defeated. The work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), both under previous Committee Chairman Valdivieso of Colombia and now under Ambassador Valdes of Chile, deserves special mention as an example of the progress that can be achieved through our collective efforts. Financing is a critical contributing factor to the cycle of terrorist acts. Curbing the financial flow of terrorists stops some of their evil activities and forces terrorists out of their comfort zones.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“To the extent possible, sanctions should try to limit the negative impact on civilians who, too often, are already suffering under the yoke of a repressive Government at home. We believe that recent sanctions regimes, such as the measures imposed by the Security Council on the Government of Liberia under resolutions 1343 (2001) and 1408 (2002), demonstrate our shared desire to focus only on those individuals whose actions and policies pose a threat to stability. I should like now to comment briefly on the evolution of sanctions policies beyond geographic boundaries. Terrorist acts are a growing threat to international peace and security. Fanatics willing to target and kill innocent civilians to advance their own political agendas are a clear and present danger that must be addressed.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“With the advent of expert panels and monitoring mechanisms, the Security Council has found a method for using information gathered by experts to name and shame those who deviate from accepted norms by delegitimizing their activities. We should not underestimate the impact of naming and shaming as a tool to compel parties to adjust their behaviour. While the United States opposes any effort to limit policy options available to the Security Council to address threats to international peace and security, we acknowledge the desirability, where possible, of targeting restricted measures the Security Council may impose to avoid unnecessary negative impact on civilians and other States. We should not ignore the humanitarian consequences of United Nations sanctions.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“My delegation believes that sanctions remain a Viable and very useful policy option for use by the Security Council to modify the behaviour of a State or entity that poses a threat to international peace and security or that has committed an act of aggression. As authorized in Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council's imposition of a "complete or partial interruption of economic relations" with a targeted actor offers an approach greater than persuasion, but less than the use of force, to compel a desired change in policy and behaviour. In recent years, sanctions have proven to be an effective policy tool that the Security Council has used to alter events on the ground, increase the costs to non- compliant actors and pressure States and groups to lessen their involvement in illicit activities.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“The United States delegation expresses its appreciation to State Secretary Hans Dahlgren of Sweden for his concise, informative and extremely valuable briefing on the outcome of the Stockholm Process discussions in Sweden on making targeted sanctions work. The series of meetings held in Sweden in 2002, focusing on ways to improve the implementation and enforcement of targeted multilateral sanctions, was extremely helpful. We also appreciate the investments previously made by the German and Swiss Governments in hosting similar conferences focused on improving the design and implementation of targeted multilateral sanctions. The Stockholm Process, much like earlier, similar conferences in Interlaken, Bonn and Berlin, was an important forum for the informal exchange of Views among experts on making sanctions more effective.”
2003-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4713 (2003) · source
“We join others in expressing our condolences to Afghanistan and Pakistan. I have just two quick questions. The first is for Ambassador Nishimura. I wonder whether he could provide some more detailed information on his estimates for the overall funding requirements for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, including, for example, estimates for vocational training and other programmes such as he discussed in his presentation. My second question is for Ambassador Braun. To build on the British intervention, can he discuss in more detail his efforts to recruit police and what difficulties he is running into. Later I will make reference to some of the challenges in recruiting members to be trained for the army.”
2003-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4711 (2003) · source
“It must not allow an environment of impunity to continue, and it must support the High Commissioner for Human Rights and MONUC in their efforts to change this devastating situation.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“Responsibility for investigating these crimes and violations of international humanitarian law lies with the leadership of the factions responsible, just as the responsibility for guaranteeing the human rights of the Congolese people lies now with the political and military leaders claiming a role in a new Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We must remain vigilant that none of them evade their responsibility. That is critical if transitional justice is to be achieved, and transitional justice in turn is necessary for building a new, sustainable, peaceful society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States can support the elements of a press statement as outlined by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Security Council must lend its voice and its support to the human rights standards we embrace.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“The High Commissioner's Office was asked to provide technical expertise to the mission. RCD-Goma representatives have stated that they are solely responsible for arresting and bringing to trial fellow members who took part in the killings in Kisangani. But the United States Government has seen no further action from RCD-Goma. That is unacceptable behaviour from an entity that wants to be part of a future Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States would appreciate any information the High Commissioner could provide on follow-up actions by RCD-Goma and on the status of any investigations by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“Is there any technical assistance that MONUC and/or the High Commissioner's Office could provide? Are there steps that the international community and the Security Council can take? We are also deeply concerned about the lack of follow-up by the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD)-Goma to the mass killings in Kisangani last May. After then High Commissioner Mary Robinson reported to the Security Council last summer, the Security Council condemned those responsible and demanded that RCD-Goma take measures to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Commission on Human Rights adopted its own resolution requesting the Special Rapporteur on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions to carry out a joint mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“There can be no impunity. The United States Government will follow closely the trials that Mr. Bemba has promised to hold of those he has alleged are responsible for these atrocities. Anything less than a full, transparent legal proceeding that leads to serious consequences for those responsible will call into question Mr. Bemba's commitment to upholding human rights and will make it difficult for the United States Government to work with him in a future Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We would welcome the High Commissioner's views on ways in which his Office can work with MONUC to ensure that the trials conducted by Mr. Bemba are thorough and fair. We are disappointed to learn that the High Commissioner for Human Rights does not intend to have his Office monitor or attend the trials.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“The United States delegation listened with shock and revulsion to the High Commissioner's comments on the atrocities committed in Ituri province last fall by troops of the Mouvement national de liberation du Congo (MLC) and its ally, the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratic (RDC) - National - shock at the continuing suffering inflicted on the people of the Congo by those who claim to want to protect the country, and revulsion that members of an armed faction which intends to take power in a future Government could engage in such acts of torture, rape, killing and cannibalism. The United States Government and the Security Council condemned those atrocities. The Council has held Jean-Pierre Bemba, as the head of the MLC, personally responsible for taking action against those who carried out those horrific acts.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“Are there specific institutions to be created or governmental actions taken that the Council should expect to see from a transitional Government that wants the Security Council's blessing and active support? The view of the United States delegation is that MONUC's human rights office is effectively carrying out its monitoring and reporting functions. My delegation would welcome the High Commissioner's thoughts on how effective MONUC's human rights office has been up to now. Should MONUC have a more proactive role on human rights issues? What role should MONUC have, for example, in working with the parties to a transitional Government on human rights issues?”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“To help the Congolese parties as they create a new Government structure for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, my delegation would welcome the thoughts of the High Commissioner on Human Rights on how the international community and the High Commissioner's Office can assist the Congolese parties to build stronger human rights institutions as part of a future transitional Government. Has the High Commissioner's office in Kinshasa been asked to provide technical advice to the parties as they form new Government institutions? Related to these questions is the issue of whether there are measurable benchmarks the Security Council and the international community can reasonably expect from a new transitional Government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“It is too easy for individuals in the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evade personal responsibility when Government institutions themselves are corrupt and dismissive of human rights concerns. Leaders of the armed groups and Congolese military can too easily blame the fog of war for the atrocities that do come to light. The Security Council must work to ensure that the Congolese parties make human rights protections a priority as they build a new transitional Government. Equally important, the Council must work to ensure that the implementation of peace agreements is not bought at the price of letting those responsible for atrocities - such as those in Kisangani, Kindu and Ituri province last year - escape real justice.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source
“What we have heard today about the catastrophic human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the atrocities committed by various armed factions, tragically reaffirms that we must keep human rights at the centre of our efforts to foster a lasting peace and a new transitional Government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In its statements and resolutions, the Security Council has repeatedly pressed the Congolese parties and foreign Governments involved in the conflict to respect international human rights norms and the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law. The United States Government has affirmed those statements in bilateral messages to the parties. But there are no quick answers.”
2003-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4705 (2003) · source