YouSaid · the spoken record

Wouters

lines on the record

19

first

1996-08-28

most recent

1999-09-11

sittings or episodes

3

sources

un-security-council

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1. “Given the fact that the basic security conditions do not exist to enable the process in East Timor to continue, Belgium appeals to the Government of Indonesia to accept from the international community the assistance that it needs in order to restore security and order to the territory, as well as a normal life to its inhabitants.”

   1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source

2. “Belgium expects the humanitarian agencies properly to resume their work in East Timor and to be in a position effectively to assist the many displaced persons there. The people who have been forced to leave the territory must be able to return. An improvement in the humanitarian situation requires the restoration of security in East Timor. The 5 May Agreements stipulate clearly that the maintenance of order and security is the responsibility of Indonesia. Like the Secretary-General of the United Nations and many others around this table, we note that Indonesia has failed in this task. It has failed despite the presence of the army and the police and despite the imposition of a state of emergency. The Violence is continuing, and the physical integrity of the population, and even that of the members of UNAMET, remains under threat.”

   1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source

3. “Our sympathies today lie with the people of East Timor, which has been the victim of the most horrendous Violence and impunity at a crucial time in its history. We would like here also to underscore the remarkable courage of the personnel of the United Nations Mission in East Timor in the face of constant threats and intimidation. Belgium deeply regrets the fact that the process initiated by the 5 May Agreements could come to a halt. For the first time, the people of East Timor had the opportunity to decide on their own future; they did so en masse, and the result of the consultation was very clear. Obviously, it is up to the parties to honour their commitments, to create conditions to enable the process to continue and to see to it that the result of the popular consultation is no longer called into question.”

   1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source

4. “Mr. Wouters (Belgium) (spoke in French): I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for giving us the opportunity to add our voice to this debate. My country fully supports the important statement made by the Finnish presidency speaking on behalf of the European Union. We too wish to state that we are in full agreement with the statements made yesterday and today by the Secretary-General. Belgium is shocked by the recent events in East Timor. The reports that continue to reach us describe a dramatic humanitarian and security situation that includes Violations of the most basic human rights and a total absence of normal living conditions following the destruction, brutality and massacres perpetrated by the anti- independence militias against the Timorese. This situation is a challenge to our conscience.”

   1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source

5. “Development assistance should focus on those areas in which it will have the greatest impact and should seek to reduce the dependence of recipient countries. We fully associate ourselves with the efforts of the European Union, which, in particular through the Lome process, assists developing countries to integrate themselves into the world economy. We also support efforts to assist Africa in escaping the debt trap. In conclusion I would like to express my country's fervent wish that the report of the Secretary-General would contribute to mobilizing the political will required from all sides. For its part, Belgium is prepared to continue to assume its responsibility in Africa. We will be active in those areas in which, in collaboration with our African partners, we will be able to achieve progress and open the path to development.”

   1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

6. “Africa must itself establish models for democratic societies in which individuals can develop their potential and take part in the decisions that concern them, in which minorities are involved in decision-making and where there is a consensus-based form of democracy. Regimes in which corruption prevails over good governance, where human rights are violated, where democratization remains a dead letter or where there is complete reliance on foreign aid do not meet the conditions for lasting stability. Such regimes might well find international attention turning elsewhere. The international community must, however, undertake to support actively the efforts of those African countries that have made a new beginning, or are preparing to do 50.”

   1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

7. “Nonetheless, these practices should not stop the international community from making those who impede humanitarian action and who refuse to respect the essential norms of international humanitarian law face up to their responsibilities. Like the Secretary-General, we are convinced that humanitarian action cannot replace political action. If we do not at the same time attack the root causes of conflicts, humanitarian assistance will only have a palliative effect. The results of our cooperation with Africa show that foreign aid, interventions or pressure, however significant, cannot by themselves bring about sustainable development, good governance or the rule of law. More than ever, development in Africa is a long-term undertaking.”

   1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

8. “Further, we welcome the steps taken by the United Nations and the OAU to establish an appropriate multilateral framework for the exchange of information and for coordination. In these days when humanitarian action is taking place in an increasingly complex, explosive and dangerous context, it is alarming to note that combatants deliberately target civilian populations, either to displace them by force, to terrorize them or make use of them. Similarly, major humanitarian missions have been jeopardized, blocked or manipulated following tactical or strategic calculations on the part of the warring factions. These deplorable practices very often confront the international community with difficult choices.”

   1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

9. “We contributed to equipping a Malawi company participating in United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda in 1994, to the deployment of OAU observers in Burundi in 1995 and to equipping a Burkina Faso battalion to strengthen ECOMOG's forces in Liberia in 1997. More recently we have taken part in training exercises in the context of the initiatives undertaken by France and the United States. On the basis of our initial experiences, our Government will soon be drawing up an overall approach to assistance for peacekeeping efforts in Africa. This concept will demonstrate Belgium's determination to complement the efforts of the African countries, as opposed to replacing them.”

   1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

10. “We welcome the reactivation of the international commission to investigate arms trafficking in Central Africa, and Belgium intends to contribute to its financing. Virtually all internal conflicts in Africa have an influence on the stability and internal security of neighbouring countries. There is therefore a need for regional and subregional political cooperation. Belgium has been paying special attention to stepping up the peacekeeping capacity of African countries. We are contributing to this effort through support in terms of material and logistical support, as well as through support for training peacekeeping forces.”

    1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

11. “Nonetheless, the concern expressed at the negative repercussions on the most vulnerable sectors of the population should encourage us to find ways of transforming sanctions into a less indiscriminate instrument and, if possible, a better targeted one. Despite the significant progress made recently in arms regulation and disarmament - I have in mind in particular the success of the Ottawa Treaty - a great deal remains to be done to make up for the absence of norms governing conventional weapons, in particular small arms and light arms. We note that in many armed conflicts in Africa where the United Nations is called in to play a role, the main and even sole weapon is precisely this type of arms, which is readily available in the marketplace and for which there is keen competition in exports.”

    1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

12. “In this context, cooperation with regional organizations opens up great prospects. The recent close ties established between the secretariats of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations are a good example, in particular in improving the mechanism for monitoring and detecting threats to peace and security. However, in order to transform the rhetoric of prevention into the reality of peace, an early-warning capacity must be followed up by swift decision-making. Using mandatory sanctions is a very useful instrument available to the Security Council which enables the United Nations to exert pressure without resorting to force.”

    1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

13. “More recently, it carried out an overall assessment of its peacekeeping policy following the 1994 events in Rwanda, and certain conclusions have been drawn as a result. In order to develop a global strategy for the future, one cannot merely analyse the past. I would therefore take this opportunity to highlight those recommendations in the Secretary-General's report that deserve special mention, without doing an injustice to the rest of this excellent report. All organized societies are based on assurance that their members will settle their differences without turning to violence. Unfortunately, one cannot always rely on the peaceful settlement of disputes. Consequently, the priority goal of the Untied Nations must continue to be that of providing instruments that would stem and resolve conflicts while attacking their root causes.”

    1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

14. “The report strikes a subtle balance between the responsibilities of the various parties in the past and at present. My delegation wishes to highlight the importance of an overall approach that would no way undermine this balance. Partial implementation of these recommendations would give rise only to a partial solution to the many problems that have given rise to conflicts and impeded sustainable development in Africa. On the basis of a frank and honest analysis of the past, with its successes and failures, the Secretary-General has presented a vision for the future. Belgium, for its part, has not hesitated to face up to the past, draw the necessary lessons and determine a new approach in policy of partnership and cooperation. In 1995, the Government of Belgium drew up an agenda for a new dialogue and new cooperation with Africa.”

    1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

15. “Mr. Wouters (Belgium) (interpretation from French): We have read with keen interest the Secretary-General's report on Africa. The analysis of the in-depth causes of African conflicts and the formulation of a series of recommendations have today given rise to an open and helpful debate. We hope that the interest shown in the course of this debate will be followed by concrete actions from all actors identified in the report. This report cannot be seen as an end in itself. It is rather an instrument that should guide us in our action. Our efforts must be sustained and should apply in other appropriate forums and be part of a long-term programme. Failing this, however commendable this good report is, it will remain just another document.”

    1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source

16. “Belgium remains prepared to make substantial contributions to any economic reconstruction effort once peace has been restored to Burundi.”

    1996-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3692 (1996) · source

17. “The peace process will then require dialogue and the initiation of talks that would include all political forces without exception. If this dialogue is to be fruitful and if a lasting civil peace in Burundi is to be restored, Belgium believes it essential that the National Assembly and the parties should play a role in the reconciliation process. To that end, the political leaders should shoulder their responsibilities as quickly as possible and show a sense of statesmanship and democratic resolve. Belgium, together with its European partners, considers itself to be committed to this political process that is to lead Burundi to peace. The Government has contributed both financially and materially to the various initiatives launched by the Organization of African Unity and by President Nyerere.”

    1996-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3692 (1996) · source

18. “Belgium would like to avail itself of the occasion of this Security Council debate to express its support for the regional leaders, for the Organization of African Unity and for the former President of Tanzania, Mr. Julius Nyerere, for the efforts they have been making to help Burundi in its quest for peace. We would appeal to all the parties in Burundi to cooperate fully and constructively in these efforts. Belgium calls for the immediate cessation of all acts of violence in Burundi, regardless of who its perpetrator might be. It calls for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire between the warring parties in Burundi. A cease-fire is the first step in the process of national reconciliation and the reconstruction of the country. It is only by respecting the security of all Burundians that peace can be restored to that country.”

    1996-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3692 (1996) · source

19. “Mr. Wouters (Belgium) (interpretation from French): Belgium would like to concur with the statement by the Permanent Representative of Ireland, who spoke on behalf of the European Union. Belgium remains deeply concerned by the situation in Burundi. The recent coup d 'e'tat was rejected by the international community. Aware of the possible regional repercussions of the Burundian crisis, Belgium, like its European partners, welcomes the diplomatic action taken by the Heads of State of the region to help Burundi overcome peacefully the serious crisis it is now going through, and encourages them to continue their efforts to facilitate the quest for a negotiated political solution.”

    1996-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3692 (1996) · source