YouSaid · the spoken record

Yelchenko

lines on the record: 1,640
first: 1997-12-19
most recent: 2019-07-16
sittings or episodes: 226
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

“We note with satisfaction the declared readiness of the leadership of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to comply with Security Council resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998), and we welcome the concrete measures undertaken by the Yugoslav authorities to this end. Ukraine also welcomes the signing on 16 October 1998 of the agreement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) permitting the OSCE to establish a verification mission in Kosovo, as well as the agreement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) concerning the Air Verification Mission over Kosovo, which complements the OSCE Verification Mission.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“Our delegation strongly believes that the new Security Council draft resolution - which is to be adopted, quite symbolically, on United Nations Day - will become yet another sign of the deep concern of the international community, which is willing to do everything possible to facilitate the efforts of the parties to the conflict to find a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosovo by civilized political means, to avert a humanitarian crisis and to defuse the existing threat to peace and security in the region. In our View, this draft resolution can be seen as sending yet another serious signal to the parties to the conflict as to the real possibility of unavoidable repercussions for them unless the perpetration of acts of violence against the civilian population and terrorist activities are stopped.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“1 should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your extremely effective presidency during this month of October. I should like also to thank you and other members of the Security Council for making it possible for my delegation to take part in today's open discussion. The developments in and around Kosovo continue to command the constant attention of the whole world, bringing new challenges to, and hopes for, a peaceful settlement of this internal conflict.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“Our delegation is very hopeful that today's consideration of this issue in the Security Council will make a substantial contribution to the efforts of the world community in its successful and, more importantly, effective response to this challenge.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Graca Machel, the Expert of the Secretary-General on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, who spent two years in different countries that were involved in wars and who prepared a report entitled "Impact of armed conflict on children", document A/51/306. She concluded that despite being targets in contemporary armed conflicts, and despite the brutality shown towards them and the failure of adults to nurture and protect them, children are both our reason to eliminate the worst aspects of armed conflict and our best hope of succeeding in that endeavour. In a world of disparity, children are a unifying force capable of bringing us all together in support of a common ethic. Protecting children from the impact of armed conflict is the responsibility of everyone: Governments, international organizations and every part of civil society.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Thirdly, we need the establishment of a global "search and capture" system that would create conditions in which the perpetrators would not be able to find safe havens for themselves anywhere in the world. In addition, humanitarian norms should be implemented and measures taken in order to protect children and facilitate assistance to them in war zones. Such measures should include protection for children against the indiscriminate use of all weapons of war, especially anti- personnel mines. The need for aftercare and rehabilitation of children traumatized by war must be addressed urgently. Finally, I would like to recall the lesson learned by Ms.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“What is important and, in principle, attainable today is the need to create a universal mechanism that would effectively and unconditionally penalize the perpetrators of crimes against children, especially in armed conflicts. In this respect, a clear signal should be sent from this meeting of the Security Council to the ongoing Diplomatic Conference in Rome in support of the establishment of a strong, effective and universal international criminal court, the jurisdiction of which would include these kinds of crimes as the most serious crimes against mankind. Secondly, there is a need to promote regional mechanisms and arrangements for the prompt and impartial investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for crimes against children.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“We emphasize the importance of the appeal made by the World Conference on Human Rights, which urged the universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implementation by all the States parties through the adoption of all the necessary legislative, administrative and other measures and the allocation, to the maximum extent, of the available resources. We would like to note the extremely relevant efforts undertaken by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Children and Armed Conflict, Ambassador Olara Otunnu. It is very important to ensure that the necessary support is made available for the effective performance of his mandate.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“International law, including the four Geneva Conventions, the two Additional Protocols, the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict, the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child recognize the right of children to the necessary protection. In addition, various regional and national instruments provide specific protection for children in armed conflicts. Unfortunately, as has been said, when arms speak, documents remain silent, lacking enforcement. In this regard, we hope that the future international criminal court will be able to play an appropriate role in responding to this challenge. Ukraine has always paid great attention to the strengthening of the legal regime in the sphere of protecting the rights of human beings, especially those of children.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Among other problems are gender-based Violence, the danger of landmines and many indirect results of warfare, such as malnutrition and other diseases, long- lasting psychological disorders and the loss of families. In other words, wars violate every right of a child: the right to live, the right to be with family and community, the right to health, the right to development of the personality and the right to be nurtured and protected. It cannot be denied that the international community has been greatly concerned about this situation and has taken many steps to improve it.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“At the outset, let me quote the famous American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay who, more than 60 years ago, said that childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies. It is a good wish, but unfortunately, in reality, every day we witness the deaths of many children around the globe. In the past two decades, 2 million children have been killed in armed conflicts, and about three times that number have been seriously injured. In today's wars, children make up about half of the casualties. They are being deliberately recruited as combatants. Often they are even unaware of the real dangers they face. Millions of children have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries as refugees or have been internally displaced within their home countries.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“At the same time, however, I should like to associate myself with my colleagues from Canada and New Zealand in drawing the attention of the members of the Council to the fact that again, as in other recent instances, United Nations Member States that are not members of the Security Council were not given the option of expressing their positions in the open debate before this important resolution was adopted. We hope that the voice and the arguments of Ukraine and of other non-members of the Security Council will be duly taken into consideration.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“Should this undesirable scenario take place, my Government will seek consultations with the nuclear Powers which provided the relevant security assurances to Ukraine in connection with its accession to the NPT, in order to look for a new reading of those assurances in view of the latest developments in its close geopolitical environment. However, we still firmly believe that India and Pakistan will put aside their nuclear ambitions and will not allow any further aggravation of the situation in the region. In conclusion, my delegation would like to support the main thrust of the resolution just adopted by the Security Council.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“We also call upon other Member States to exert every effort to influence India and Pakistan to assume commitments under the NPT and the CTBT. Ukraine also considers inadmissible any action that could aggravate tensions in the region and - God forbid - cause a major conflict between the two States. In this connection, Ukraine welcomes the declared readiness of India's and Pakistan's leaders to negotiate disputable issues. We are ready to support this process wholeheartedly because we in Ukraine have deep sympathy and great respect for both peoples. We hope that the Secretary-General will encourage India and Pakistan to enter into an immediate and constructive dialogue, and we welcome his efforts in this respect. Any other development, even an attempt to preserve the status quo, should be deemed unacceptable.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“I have to say that our hopes, beliefs and aspirations have been dashed by nuclear explosions at the Pokaran and Chagai test sites. It is very important, in our view, that the international community demonstrate all its firmness, cohesiveness and determination to save the principles and the objectives of non-proliferation, to avert the spiral of a nuclear arms race in South Asia and to preserve peace and stability both in this region and globally. We strongly believe that the one and only way here for India and Pakistan is to become full-fledged parties to the NPT and CTBT without any conditions and without any delay. Ukraine urges all other States that have not yet done so to become parties to the NPT and to ratify the CTBT in order to expedite its entry into force.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“Therefore, Ukraine, like anyone else, has a moral right to criticize actions that threaten the non-proliferation regime. Ukraine acceded to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1994 and signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1997 as a State whose participation in that treaty was actually essential for its entry into force. Our position, as well as the positions of the vast majority of States that have signed and ratified both treaties, were based on the belief that such moves would help all of us to ensure an effective non-proliferation regime, to halt the development of nuclear weapons and to create grounds for a step-by-step elimination of weapons of mass destruction.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“That is why it is a primary responsibility of this authoritative United Nations body. My Government has already expressed its concern at the nuclear testing conducted by India and by Pakistan. Ukraine condemned these actions as constituting a serious threat to existing international agreements in the field of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Our reaction to these events has been clear and, I believe, fully justified. This position is based on the key principles of my country's disarmament policy. Ukraine voluntarily renounced the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal, which it inherited. Thus it assumed the status of a non-nuclear-weapon State, and it continuously demonstrates full compliance with non- nuclear principles, advocating and strongly promoting universal nuclear disarmament.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“The delegation of Ukraine is grateful to you, Sir, for convening, although later than we expected, this meeting. I would like to express satisfaction that the appeal initiated and signed by the group of United Nations Member States not members of the Security Council has coincided with a similar appeal launched by members of the Security Council itself. Needless to say, it is with grave concern that the leadership and the people of Ukraine have responded to the recent developments in the region of South Asia, which forced my country, together with other like-minded Member States, to seek the urgent convening of a special meeting of a Security Council. There is no doubt that the issue under discussion today - and the name of the agenda item speaks for itself - is crucial to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
1998-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3890 (1998) · source
“From the very first days of its regained independence, Ukraine, keeping in view the long-standing traditions and history of its relations with many African countries, proposed to develop such cooperation at a qualitatively new level. We are only at the initial stage of this promising cooperation, and I take this opportunity to encourage interested African States to embark on this undertaking. In conclusion, I wish to express our sincere hope that the difficulties which Africa is facing today will eventually be overcome and that this continent will turn into a region of political stability and social and economic progress. It is the obligation of all Member States of this world Organization to help Africa to realize this goal.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Therefore, we support the implementation of the recommendation contained in the Secretary-General's report to improve coordination and the exchange of information between the United Nations and these organizations. Given the scope of a number of recommendations in the Secretary-General' s report, our delegation fully supports the idea of presenting it to the General Assembly and other bodies of the United Nations system, as well as to respective humanitarian organizations. Finally, I would like to stress that Ukraine approaches the issue of cooperation with Africa primarily from the position of developing a mutually beneficial partnership.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“At the same time, broader international efforts, such as the imposition of sanctions, if necessary, can succeed only if they are complemented by genuine cooperation and support on the part of the countries of the region. In our View, the continuing leading role in ensuring such cooperation should be played by the Organization of African Unity. It is also imperative that the international community enhance its political support for that organization, as well as the material and technical support required to improve its capabilities in resolving the problems and conflict situations within the African framework. In past years we have witnessed positive examples of preventive and peacekeeping efforts undertaken by subregional organizations in southern Africa, West Africa and the Horn of Africa.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Despite the positive developments I have just referred to, political instability and serious retreats from democracy are still preventing certain African countries from moving forward. In some of them, vast movements of refugees and displaced persons continue to be an alarming factor which contributes to political instability. In addition, internal conflicts are threatening the very survival of those countries. Therefore, we strongly believe that the issues of peace, security and stability and the problems of economic development of Africa should be addressed simultaneously, as they are closely interrelated. The United Nations should be ready to meet those challenges through its peacekeeping operations, good offices missions and emergency relief programmes.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In the area of socio-economic assistance to Africa, the international community has already developed a number of specific programmes, including the United Nations System-wide Special Initiative for Africa, which was launched by the Secretary-General. However, we believe that external assistance should complement rather than replace the steps to be taken by African States themselves. In this respect, we welcome with hope and optimism the decisions adopted at the Entebbe summit during the recent visit of President Clinton to Africa. It is very important that its participants and the United States commit themselves to a series of measures aimed at speeding up Africa's transformation and to facilitate its full integration into the global economy.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Ukraine was proud to make its personal contribution to this noble endeavour as a member and Vice-Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. As one of those who were honoured to be among the United Nations electoral observers in South Africa, I still remember those exciting moments at the end of April 1994. Ukraine was also actively involved in the ongoing United Nations peacekeeping operation in Angola, as well as in some humanitarian relief transportation missions to other parts of Africa. Today, the United Nations should help Africa in its just striving for progress and sustainable development by ensuring stability and peace on this continent.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“At the same time, there are still persistent problems which continue to impact negatively on the situation in many African countries, especially those which appear on the list of the world's poorest nations. As a whole, Africa remains marginalized in the present system of international economic relations. As a result, the situation in most of the continent is still characterized by striking poverty and underdevelopment. The United Nations, therefore, cannot and should not take the position of observer and must act adequately. Years ago, the United Nations initiated the process of the decolonization of Africa, and it succeeded in those efforts. This Organization equally succeeded in eradicating the vicious system of apartheid in South Africa.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“This is the second time during the current session of the General Assembly that the Security Council is convening to consider the situation in Africa. In our View, it is yet further evidence that the United Nations continues to attach great importance to the problems in this part of the world. We therefore believe that this meeting of the Security Council is very timely. Today, Africa has reached a very important turn in its historic development. In a number of African countries the economy has started to come out of the abyss, and the people seem to have realized the importance of gaining strength through unity. With the efforts of individual countries, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and other regional organizations, some of the hot spots and conflicts on the continent have been eliminated or eased.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In conclusion, Ukraine calls upon the authorities in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovar Albanian community to urgently enter without preconditions into a meaningful dialogue on political status issues. I should like to reconfirm the readiness of Ukraine to facilitate this dialogue.”
1998-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3868 (1998) · source
“My delegation welcomes this timely meeting of the Security Council, convened today to address the situation in Kosovo. We hope that the adoption by the Security Council of the resolution, and in particular the introduction of the arms embargo, will foster the search for peaceful solutions to this serious problem. At the same time, Ukraine remains of the opinion that any negative consequences which might affect third States as a result of further restrictions imposed by the Security Council against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, should be properly considered by the Council. It is our hope that soon the Security Council will be ready to evaluate the real effect of this and other measures introduced by the resolution just adopted, as well as the mechanism of its implementation.”
1998-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3868 (1998) · source
“The possibility of further confrontation and the real threat of the escalation of the situation might lead to the destabilization of the whole region, where, with the active involvement of the international community, concrete measures towards a normalization of the situation are being undertaken. Ukraine expresses its hope that in the nearest future the situation in Kosovo will be settled through existing multilateral mechanisms by means of peaceful dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding. Ukraine welcomes recent diplomatic initiatives in this regard. For its part, Ukraine stands ready to facilitate this process by all possible means, in particular through the efforts of the Contact Group and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”
1998-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3868 (1998) · source
“The violent incidents which have recently shaken the Kosovo province, in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, have drawn the focused attention of the international community. The horrible remembrances of the not-so-distant events in Bosnia, which resulted in thousands of innocent victims, the practice of "ethnic cleansing" and floods of refugees are still vivid in our memory. Although we believe that this is an internal affair of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the current situation in Kosovo cannot but cause grave concern in Ukraine, as a country which is adjacent to the Balkans. The fact that these events are accompanied by violations of human rights, acts of violence and casualties among the civilian population causes us special concern.”
1998-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3868 (1998) · source
“This will become a reality only with the full implementation of the Peace Agreement by the parties themselves, since it is up to them alone to define the destiny of the country. Finally, my delegation would like to join previous speakers in paying special tribute to those who have tragically lost their lives in the name of peace and a better life for the Bosnian people. I should like also to take this opportunity to confirm Ukraine's steadfast commitment to the cause of peace in Bosnia in the pursuit of a secure and prosperous future for that country and in the Balkans as a whole, which, hopefully, has come closer during the past year.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“Top priority should be given to projects aimed at promoting economic cooperation between the Federation and the Republika Srpska, as well as within the Federation itself. Both multiethnic entities and the three constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with all other peoples residing in the country, should equally enjoy the advantages of economic recovery, including international financial aid. In this context, I should like to stress that all these practical measures aimed at improving everyday life should be guided by the need to build confidence and mutual trust among the multi-ethnic entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the primary responsibility for building a viable democratic society as well as lasting peace and reconciliation lies with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“At the same time, we are of the view that the multifaceted process of implementation of the civilian aspects of the Dayton accords, in particular police reform in the Federation and the Republika Srpska, should acquire a more integrated character. Future progress cannot be achieved in one sphere without being complemented by relevant measures in another. We therefore share the view that police reform in Bosnia necessitates adequate changes in the country's whole judicial and penal systems. It will be difficult to achieve final success in the peace process in Bosnia unless the process is supported by effective economic reconstruction in the country with the continued assistance of the international donor community.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“There is no doubt that the solution of this problem would substantially contribute to the return of refugees, increased freedom of movement and the economic reconstruction of the whole country. As one of the contributors of personnel to the IPTF, Ukraine notes with satisfaction that the Force has become more assertive in focusing on enhancing freedom of movement, police training and protection of human rights. A high level of cooperation between the IPTF and SFOR on the ground has proved to be very effective and should thus be further developed. The progress reached under IPTF guidance in police reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina is also remarkable and commendable.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“The proper coordination of humanitarian efforts between the United Nations bodies in the field and all other international structures involved, including the Office of the High Representative, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, non-governmental organizations and others, as well as between SFOR and the IPTF, will be extremely helpful to that end. As no agency has the lead in the field of human rights, further coordination among the various organizations dealing with different aspects of this problem is also necessary. Demining still represents one of the serious obstacles hampering the effective implementation of the civilian aspects of the Agreement.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“The delegation of Ukraine is convinced that the role of the United Nations in the process of reconciliation and civilian consolidation in Bosnia remains indispensable. At the same time, inasmuch as further success in implementing the Peace Agreement depends largely on the fulfilment of its civilian aspects, the United Nations role in the solution of the humanitarian problems should be increased. In our view, the issues of demining, economic reconstruction, human rights, the return of refugees and law enforcement are of special importance.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“We believe that the continued military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina should not be limited by specific time limits, but should be measured by the progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. This presence can only ensure the concentration on the political, economic and social issues and challenges that is so desperately required. Therefore, my delegation fully supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH), which includes the International Police Task Force (IPTF), to pursue the work entrusted to it in accordance with annex 11 of the Peace Agreement. With this in mind, my country stands ready to extend its participation in a feasible post-SFOR operation to be mandated by the Security Council beyond June 1998.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“The Peace Implementation Conference held at Bonn earlier this month demonstrated once again the existence of a strong international commitment to the process of reconciliation and nation-building in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The international community must concentrate on preventing the political development of the country from moving in a direction contrary to the Peace Agreement. In this regard we should remove the temptation to use military force and the fear that the latter will be used. Ukraine shares the view that the Stabilization Force (SFOR) authorized by Security Council resolution 1088 (1996) continues to be an important element in securing the first outcomes of the ongoing process of reconciliation and State-building in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in contributing to the stabilization of the situation in the Balkans.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“Despite the problems and the persistent difficulties on the road towards the establishment of a democratic, multiethnic State of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we cannot deny the remarkable progress that has been made. There is no doubt that it has been achieved thanks in the first place to the efforts of the parties to the Peace Agreement. However, the process could have been much more difficult had it not been facilitated by the continuous assistance of the international community. It is also true that, despite signs of overall improvement, the present situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as that in the whole region, will continue to require agile efforts.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“It gives me special pleasure, Mr. President, to take part in this meeting under your leadership. It is by coincidence that I had the honour today to transmit to the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations my foreign ministry's agreement to the appointment of the first Ambassador of Costa Rica to Ukraine. Looking at the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina after more than six years of United Nations involvement and two years after the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina was signed, the international community can feel some sort of relief and cautious optimism concerning the future of that country.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source