YouSaid · the spoken record

Wolff

lines on the record: 404
first: 2006-12-12
most recent: 2010-07-06
sittings or episodes: 47
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

“I would like to thank Mr. Koenigs, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, for his comprehensive report and for his continued dedication to the Mission. I would also like to extend the thanks of the United States to all the staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), who have worked so hard over the course of the United Nations mandate to help the Afghan people build a democratic State that protects fundamental human rights, provides security and other services and offers economic opportunity. As in the case of past reports, the Special Representative has brought us up to date on the progress that Afghanistan has made with the support of the international community. He has also kept us up to date on the significant challenges and threats that Afghanistan still faces.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“In the light of the 6 August rocket incident on Georgian territory, and other security incidents that have heightened tensions in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, what concrete steps has the OSCE taken in Georgia that contribute to bolstering security on the ground, to deterring future such incidents and to the promotion of greater confidence between the sides? Similarly, beyond capacity- building, has the OSCE considered reviving a border monitoring mission for Georgia? Are there any other steps that the Minister might want to share with us that OSCE may be planning to take in Georgia to bolster security and promote confidence-building measures?”
2007-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5751 (2007) · source
“Afghanistan has expressed interest in deepening cooperation with the OSCE to assist in strengthening its security and democratic development. In a recent statement to the OSCE Permanent Council, the Afghan delegation noted particular interest in working with the OSCE on border control and management and police training and on combating the trafficking of illicit drugs and supporting future elections. OSCE has very strong credentials and expertise in those areas, and I would be interested in learning if the Minister has a moment to describe for us the potential he sees for the increased cooperation and activity of the organization in Afghanistan. The second issue I would like to pursue is one that has been raised by a number of other delegations, and that is the situation in Georgia and the immediate region.”
2007-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5751 (2007) · source
“Like others, let me also add our warm welcome to the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Mr. Moratinos Cuyaube and for his comprehensive overview of the OSCE activities under Spanish leadership this year. Looking around the table I notice seven Council members are also members of the OSCE. It is no coincidence that there are numerous areas that Minister Moratinos Cuyaube outlined in which the interests and work of the Council are also the interests and work of the OSCE. That overlap is much appreciated. I think it would also be useful for Council members, particularly those who are not OSCE members, if Minister Moratinos Cuyaube would elaborate on two particular areas of interest to the Council. One of them is Afghanistan, which is an OSCE partner State.”
2007-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5751 (2007) · source
“The United States once again calls on Iran to change its confrontational course, suspend its proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities and cooperate fully and unconditionally with the IAEA. Doing so would begin the process of restoring international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme and would permit negotiations to commence with Iran on the generous offer of the Permanent Five plus one. Our delegation looks forward to continuing to work with others in the Committee to execute its mandate and ensure the most robust and comprehensive implementation possible of these resolutions in order to persuade Iran to abandon its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.”
2007-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5743 (2007) · source
“We propose that the Sanctions Committee draft a follow-up letter to the IAEA, seeking additional details. Many months have passed since the adoption of resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007), and unfortunately Iran has complied with neither of them. To the contrary, IAEA Director General El-Baradei's reports of 23 May (S/2007/303, annex) and 30 August (IAEA document GOV/2007/48) confirm that Iran has failed to suspend its uranium enrichment and heavy- water-related activities, as required by the Council. Although the IAEA workplan holds potential towards resolving the IAEA's myriad outstanding concerns with Iran's nuclear programme - if Iran fully cooperates Iran persists in defying the Security Council's 3 requirement to suspend its proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities.”
2007-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5743 (2007) · source
“Ambassador Verbeke's report also highlights a request made by the Committee to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for an update to its March 2007 report describing its implementation of paragraph 16 of resolution 1737 (2006), which relates to IAEA technical cooperation with Iran. Additional details with respect to other technical assistance to Iran were also requested. While we are still assessing the IAEA's response to that request, we note that the IAEA has evaluated 27 requests for IAEA technical assistance against the restrictions imposed in Security Council resolution 1737 (2006), finding three to be contrary to what operative paragraph 6 prohibits. We would welcome any additional details that the IAEA could share on the nature and content of those requests, as well as the 24 permitted to proceed.”
2007-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5743 (2007) · source
“My delegation wishes to express its appreciation for Ambassador Verbeke's continued leadership as the Chairman of the Security Council Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and for his report to the Council today. Ambassador Verbeke's efforts have been essential in the Committee's execution of its mandate as described in his report, especially in encouraging States to submit reports detailing their efforts to implement the Chapter VII sanctions imposed by the Council on Iran in resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007). In that context, we note that, while the number of reports received continues to rise, many are still outstanding. We urge all States that have not yet submitted their implementation reports to do so as soon as possible.”
2007-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5743 (2007) · source
“While we commend the work of UNIFIL in South Lebanon, we remain deeply concerned by persistent reports of breaches of the arms embargo along the Syria-Lebanon border and call on all States, particularly Syria and Iran, to abide by their commitments under resolution 1701 (2006). We also decry the continuing failure of militias to disarm. Those issues, along with the fate of the two abducted Israeli soldiers, must be addressed if efforts to achieve peace are to succeed. We applaud the peaceful and transparent parliamentary by-elections in Lebanon this month and congratulate the winners and the Lebanese people on the process. We look forward to similarly free and fair and peaceful presidential elections this fall that are held in accordance with Lebanon's constitution and are free of foreign intervention.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“We look forward to continued coordination and cooperation with the Palestinians, the international community and Quartet Representative Tony Blair to lay the foundation for President Bush's vision of two States, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. On the situation in Lebanon, let me briefly note that we welcome the unanimous decision of the Security Council to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for one year. We remain committed to a sovereign, democratic and prosperous Lebanon and continue to call for the full implementation of all Council resolutions pertaining to Lebanon, including resolutions 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006).”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“The United States remains committed to working with Israel and the Palestinians on day-to-day issues that affect the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, as well as a political horizon for Palestinian statehood. We have always said that bilateral dialogue between the parties is the key to realizing the two-State vision. We will continue to work with the parties and the international community to that end. The development of a viable Palestinian economy and institutions remains crucial to the success and prosperity of a future Palestinian State. The United States looks forward to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in New York next month and to the Quartet meeting, where we expect to hear about Quartet Representative Tony Blair's travel to the region and his recommendations on the economic and institutional agenda.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“We continue to call on all Palestinians to reject terror and on the Palestinian Authority Government to arrest terrorists, confiscate illegal weapons and confront corruption. We remain deeply concerned by the continued intransigence and illegal occupation of Gaza by Hamas, including recent moves to crack down on freedom of speech there. We are very concerned about Hamas' provision of safe haven to fellow terrorist organizations operating in Gaza and strongly condemn the continuing acts of terror, such as recurring indiscriminate rocket attacks being conducted from Gaza against civilians in Israel. We welcome the 6 August and 28 August meetings between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, the second and third such meetings since late June. We strongly support direct dialogue between the parties.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“We believe that the assistance package will help improve the Palestinian Authority's capacity to deliver security for the Palestinian people and to fight terrorism, to build confidence between the parties and will ultimately help to meet the security needs of Palestinians and Israelis alike. The United States and the Palestinian Authority have worked together closely to design the programme and will continue to cooperate in its implementation. The security assistance package is in addition to more than $190 million in United States assistance to the Abbas-Fayyad Government this year. We encourage others, particularly regional parties to step forward with additional support at this critical time.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“In that vein, Secretary Rice and Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad signed an $80 million assistance package aimed at supporting efforts to reform and professionalize the Palestinian security forces. The framework agreement formalizes the intention of the United States to provide assistance to the Palestinian Authority to promote law and order by strengthening and reforming the Palestinian security sector. We believe the ability to provide security for the population is a core responsibility of any functioning government. The rule of law and security must be the foundation of any successful Palestinian Government.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“This meeting on a two- State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will aim to support discussions and negotiations between the parties and achieve meaningful progress on the path to peace, Palestinian statehood and an end to the conflict. We believe the Government of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad can be a partner for peace. The international community has recognized that and is responding by re-establishing diplomatic and economic ties with the Palestinian Authority Government. As President Bush has said, the international community must work with the Palestinian Authority to develop a solid institutional and economic foundation for a future Palestinian State.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“Let me begin by joining you in commending the outstanding work of Michael Williams. He has exemplified the finest traditions of an international civil servant, working on behalf of the Secretariat and through it on behalf of the international community, demonstrating again, as he did today, thoroughness and professionalism in the way he has dealt with this very complex issue in offering us balanced and constructive advice that actually helps facilitate our responsibility in ensuring the promotion of peace and security. We will miss him and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours. On 16 July, President Bush called for an international meeting this autumn of nations that support a two-State solution, reject violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and commit to all previous agreements among the parties.”
2007-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5736 (2007) · source
“In 2004, President Bush created the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (CRS) to harness the full breadth of United States skills and resources to transform conflict. As this partial list makes clear, we do have important programmes in place. What we clearly need now is more effective coordination between our efforts, other Governments' efforts, Security Council efforts, and the efforts of the African Union and other regional and subregional organizations. With such enhanced coordination, we would all be better positioned to help prevent conflict before it starts and to assist States emerging from conflict so the violence of the past is not repeated.”
2007-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5735 (2007) · source
“Understanding that economic development is a crucial component of conflict prevention and conflict resolution, the United States Congress passed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on 18 May 2000. This Act offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets. Thirty-eight of the 48 sub-Saharan States are now eligible for African Growth and Opportunity Act support. As a result, two- way trade between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries increased by 17 per cent in 2006 alone, reaching almost $71.3 billion, with both United States exports to and, perhaps more importantly, United States imports from the region growing.”
2007-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5735 (2007) · source
“In 2007, the United States has obligated $32 million to TLSA to support initiatives including $12 million in equipment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), $6.8 million for the training and equipping of Ugandan troops supporting the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and $6 million to support Nigerian deployment to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). GPOI's predecessor, the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) programme provided training and non-lethal equipment to over 52,000 peacekeepers from African partner militaries through July 2007. These partners are now contributing, or have contributed, to a number of African peacekeeping operations.”
2007-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5735 (2007) · source
“As announced at the Group of Eight meeting in 2004, the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) was created to address the disparity between the persistent demand for trained peacekeeping forces and their inadequate availability, especially for missions in Africa. In 2005, GPOI trained and equipped 27,000 military personnel from 37 countries to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations. That number is expected to increase to 75,000 by the end of the year. The United States is supporting four of the eleven GPOI Peace Operations Training Centres in Africa - in Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria. The Transportation and Logistics Support Arrangement (TLSA) of the GPOI contributed $11.5 million in 2005-2006, $5 million of which went to construct portions of 34 base camps in Darfur.”
2007-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5735 (2007) · source
“In this regard, the United States joins other members of this Council in welcoming the provisions of the joint communique of the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council that was issued in June 2007 and that calls for a stronger relationship between the two bodies. According to the World Bank, 16 of the world's 20 poorest countries have suffered a major war in the past 15 years. On average, four of every ten countries coming out of war relapse to conflict in the first five years of peace. My Government supports conflict prevention and conflict resolution in Africa through a variety of bilateral and multilateral programmes.”
2007-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5735 (2007) · source
“The United States would like to thank the Republic of Congo for raising the important issue of the role of the Security Council in conflict prevention and resolution, particularly in Africa. We agree with you, Mr. Secretary-General, and with you, Mr. President, that the United Nations, and more particularly this Council, can and must enhance its capacity to prevent conflict, particularly on the continent of Africa. For the United Nations to be more effective in preventing conflict in Africa, the Security Council must work more cooperatively and more efficiently with regional and subregional organizations.”
2007-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5735 (2007) · source
“The Council must not relent in demanding progress on that issue, as well as on all the others required for a ceasefire and a long- term solution between Israel and Lebanon, in order to fulfil the promise of the resolution that we adopted last summer.”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“Those weapons transfers directly threaten both the stability of Lebanon and the safety of United Nations peacekeepers. We join the Secretary-General in calling, yet again, on Syria and Iran to honour their obligations under the arms embargo established under resolution 1701 (2006). One year has now passed since the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah and the adoption of resolution 1701 (2006). While we are pleased by the progress that has been achieved, we deplore the fact that the cause of this conflict - namely, Hizbullah's abduction of the two Israeli soldiers - has not been resolved.”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“We urge UNIFIL and the LAF to move quickly to establish joint patrols and co-located checkpoints, particularly along the Litani river, to ensure that no unauthorized weapons are transferred into south Lebanon. We look forward to hearing more from the Secretary-General on those efforts in his next report. These and other threats to peace, as well as the violence perpetrated by Fatah al-Islam in the north of Lebanon, underscore the need to fully implement the provisions of the Taif Accords and resolution 1559 (2004), calling for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militia. Peace will never be fully secured until that call is met. We also reiterate our deep concern about continued illegal weapons transfers across the Syrian- Lebanese border in violation of resolution 1701 (2006).”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has deployed throughout the country for the first time in 30 years. Together with the reinforced UNIFIL, the LAF has helped to create a new strategic reality in south Lebanon. At the same time, the deadly 24 June attack against UNIFIL and the 17 June rocket attack against Israel demonstrate that there are unauthorized armed elements and weapons in south Lebanon and that they pose a danger both to regional stability and to the safety of United Nations personnel. In that regard, we reiterate our condolences to the families, colleagues and Governments of those peacekeepers killed in the line of duty in Lebanon. We welcome UNIFIL's intention to redouble its efforts to carry out its mandate in response to these attacks, especially in terms of coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“The United States welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 1773 (2007) to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for one year. That vote is a clear signal of the Council's support for the United Nations peacekeepers on the ground in south Lebanon and of its commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006). Although the primary aim of this technical resolution is to extend the mandate of UNIFIL, it also reaffirms the Council's resolutions on Lebanon, including resolutions 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006), as well as the three presidential statements on Lebanon adopted since last summer. We commend the progress that has been achieved since the adoption of resolution 1701 (2006) last summer.”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“I thank Mr. Holmes for those helpful clarifications. 07-35031 There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.40 p.m. 21”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“Finally, we note that meeting the continuing emergency needs of displaced populations and supporting longer-term recovery for returnees require strong leadership and coordination. We urge the United Nations, with OCHA's leadership, to ensure that humanitarian coordination needs in Uganda are addressed effectively. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I shall now give the floor to Mr. John Holmes to respond to comments and any questions that have been raised.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“Improved security and progress towards a settlement have encouraged an estimated 350,000 people to return to their home areas. However, there remain more than a million displaced people in northern Uganda, and we stress the need for all returns to be safe and voluntary. We commend recent efforts by United Nations Special Envoy Chissano to bring the parties back to the negotiating table in Juba. We support the efforts of the Government of Southern Sudan to facilitate the negotiations, and we are watching closely how the resumed process unfolds. We stand prepared to offer assistance with disarmament, demobilization and reintegration should a final agreement be reached. In the interim, we continue to provide significant assistance to meet humanitarian needs in northern Uganda, including nearly $85 million in 2006.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“Ultimately, the humanitarian situation in Somalia can only be addressed with the stability of a permanent ceasefire agreement and a viable, comprehensive reconciliation process. We therefore continue to urge all parties to re-engage in a sincere process of political dialogue as the best means of reaching a sustainable solution to the crisis in Somalia. We also reiterate our support for the robust contingency planning proposed by the Secretary- General to prepare for the possible transition to a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia. On Uganda, we appreciate Under-Secretary- General Holmes's first-hand impressions of the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda, and we share his cautious optimism about the current negotiations.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“We express our sympathies to the families of the Uganda victims. We are gravely concerned about the recent pattern of attacks by extremist elements in Somalia, including the increased use of explosive devices. We call on all Somalis and regional stakeholders to prevent extremist elements that are intent on undermining the political process from conducting further attacks. We have seen reports that the TFG will allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate allegations of human rights abuses during the recent conflict. We welcome this news. Allegations of human rights abuses are very troubling, and we will follow the investigation closely.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“We are very concerned that the work of the United Nations and humanitarian NGOs in Somalia remains hampered by insecurity, roadblocks and inter- clan conflict, as we heard in Mr. Holmes's briefing. We reiterate our call on all parties to facilitate humanitarian access for the delivery of life-saving aid to those in need. We commend recent commitments by the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to lift administrative impediments for international aid agencies, and we stress that recently announced visa and flight clearance requirements should not inhibit aid efforts. We expect the TFG to facilitate the critical work of the United Nations and humanitarian NGOs for the welfare of the people of Somalia. Let me join others in condemning the recent attack in Mogadishu on the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“Despite ongoing challenges to aid operations in Somalia, we understand that international relief efforts are reaching more than 250,000 of those recently displaced from Mogadishu. We applaud the work of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) delivering that life-saving assistance. We also salute the work of the United Nations country team for Somalia and the leadership of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for their courageous and dauntless work. The United States has provided significant resources to the current relief effort, and we remain committed to supporting humanitarian assistance in Somalia. We also continue to provide assistance for Somali refugees in Kenya and Ethiopia.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States of America. We would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Holmes for his informative and timely briefing on the current humanitarian situation in Somalia and Uganda. His first-hand perspective provides the Council with valuable insight into these pressing crises. The United States expresses grave concern over the recent violence in Mogadishu and the resulting loss of life in Somalia. But even before the recent outbreak of violence, hundreds of thousands of Somalis faced a chronic humanitarian crisis. Displacement and suffering caused by drought and floods in 2006 have now been dangerously exacerbated by additional conflict.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. It is so decided. I invite Mr. Holmes to take a seat at the Council table. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. The Security Council will now hear a briefing by Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to whom I give the floor.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“I thank Mr. Schwarz-Schilling for his poignant remarks. Once again, on behalf of the members of the Council, I wish him all the best and thank him for his commitment to the consolidation of peace and prosperity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Let me also take this opportunity to thank His Excellency Mr. Nikola Spirie for his participation in this meeting. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.10p.m.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Schwarz-Schilling for his contributions to the consolidation of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Germany.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Bosnian leaders also need to return to efforts to modernize the country's outmoded Constitution. An all-or-nothing approach is simply a recipe for gridlock. Constitutional reform must be incremental and consensus-based. The United States and the international community are ready to help in those endeavours, but Bosnians must lead the way. We call on the Bosnian Government to move rapidly to implement the conditions described in the Security Council President's letter on police decertifications, including the need to annul the December 2006 Council of Ministers decision to establish a Bosnian Government review mechanism. The United States welcomes the Peace Implementation Council's decision to appoint Miroslav Lajcak as the new High Representative and looks forward to supporting him when he takes office. Again, I want to thank Mr.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“I compliment Chairman Spiric' on his efforts in support of reform, and I hope that he will take the following message back to his country: It is incumbent on all of Bosnia's leaders to set aside destabilizing rhetoric and focus on issues that matter for the welfare of Bosnia's citizens. Unless reforms get back on track soon, Bosnia risks falling behind its neighbours as they move closer to the European Union (EU) and to NATO. We urge Bosnian leaders to reach an agreement as soon as possible on police reform that meets the EU's criteria for concluding a Stabilization and Association Agreement. Bosnia's joining NATO's Partnership for Peace in January was an important milestone. The Bosnian Government needs to follow through on implementation of defence reforms that will enable further NATO integration.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. We welcome the High Representative to the Security Council today and take this opportunity to thank him for his service. I will focus the bulk of my remarks on the current situation inside Bosnia and Herzegovina. We, like others in the Council, are concerned that progress on reforms needed for Euro-Atlantic integration has stalled, due in part to irresponsible rhetoric from leading nationalist politicians. We were disappointed that Bosnia and Herzegovina was not in a position where the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board could decide to close the Office of the High Representative this summer. We hope the situation in Bosnia will allow the Office of the High Representative to end in June 2008, and we will follow the situation closely.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“We have always been grateful to the international community for its assistance and efforts, but the final decision on the future of my country must be taken by its elected representatives. We are certain that the new High Representative will accept that idea, as has Mr. Schwarz-Schilling, whom I would like to thank once again for everything he has done.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“In future, we have to take a joint step forward. I believe that the Council is aware of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the judgment of the International Court of Justice relating to the request for special status to be given to Srebrenica. My position is clear: Srebrenica deserves special attention, but not special status. I am not sure that that country, which itself has special status, could afford to have special status for part of its territory without serious consequences. Finally, allow me to stress the fact that progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina depends entirely on agreement between its peoples, because it is only dialogue and not a solution imposed from outside that can provide a prosperous future that is acceptable to all.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Elected representatives should become the main stakeholders in the future of our country; they can, and should be allowed to, do so. What I cannot accept is the view that we in Bosnia and Herzegovina have an ideal relationship with the international community but bad and irresponsible domestic politicians. I should also note here that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a State in which all projects of the international community have been assessed as successful, while the general assessment of that same international community is that Bosnia and Herzegovina has not achieved sufficient progress and that it cannot move forward. I think that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a State where there is neither absolute guilt nor absolute innocence and that everyone should shoulder his or her share of the responsibility for delays and failures.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the High Representative and this body for having resolved the issue of decertified police officers. We appreciate that very much, because the issue had caused an upheaval in the public and political arenas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am aware that this is not an ideal solution, but I am aware also that nothing more could have been achieved in that respect. The international community has done a great deal in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, there is an expression in our country that says: "Those who make no mistakes do nothing." I fear that the dependence of domestic politicians on the international community has been created by the latter, which is not helpful.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the High Representative for everything he has done for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the new political philosophy that he inaugurated during his mandate. I would like to thank him for having invested his wisdom, patience and diplomatic experience in sending a clear message to domestic leaders that he would rather see "one gram of domestic compromise than a ton of Bonn powers". That policy is pushing us to work together and consistently to seek compromise solutions. Some, however, have not understood the policy properly and continue to wait for a High Representative who would impose solutions and cover up for their failure to move ahead and for their irresponsibility.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“I am afraid that, should we fail in this undertaking, none of our other efforts will produce any significant results and that recently implemented reforms will appear unsuccessful. Regarding cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, I should like to take this opportunity to stress that my position is clear: It is necessary to have full cooperation with the ICTY in order to overcome this issue, which has been a burden for such a long time. In the past, there has been, within the State framework, a great deal of arguing about who is cooperating and who is not. But my personal opinion is that we should put aside those accusations in order not to waste energy but to achieve concrete results. Allow me to say a few words about the role of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Thus I have submitted to all ministries the list of laws deriving from European partnership, and I have asked them urgently to start work on this issue and to report, on a monthly basis, on the progress achieved. I am aware that much more could have been done, while acknowledging that, on the path towards our final goal, we have faced several obstacles, mainly of a political nature. At the very beginning of my mandate, I insisted on stronger State patriotism, but I regret to say that some people, intentionally or by chance, have persisted in ignoring my appeals. I have also consistently stressed the importance of confidence-building within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is clear, I believe, that confidence-building is the solution to many of the problems in our country and that it is a "reform above all other reforms".”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“My country should not be in a state of paralysis; it should be in constant motion towards the goal of Euro-Atlantic integration. Regardless of what I said earlier, I do not want to sound completely pessimistic. By nature, I am an optimist, and, given the position I hold, I could not behave differently. Nevertheless, Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved a great deal recently. As the Council is aware, we have been admitted to the Partnership for Peace Programme. For us, that was a reward for everything that has been achieved in the field of defence reform. Bosnia and Herzegovina has successfully concluded technical negotiations on the signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union. I can therefore say with pride that Bosnia and Herzegovina has shifted from the so-called Dayton era to the "Brussels era".”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Unfortunately, this issue has caused many divisions in the past. Even though this was against the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens, some were cunning enough to use the issue merely to achieve election gains. That false expression of love and care for Bosnia and Herzegovina has frozen the further development of State institutions. It is time to leave it behind and to start negotiations in a spirit of full respect and understanding and with a sense of compromise. I cannot accept that all of us, together with the representatives of the international community engaged in this issue, should surrender to those who think that compromise means only the unconditional abandonment by their political opponents of all their ideas. This should not be a win-lose situation. That is not progress but stagnation.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source