YouSaid · the spoken record

Zhang Yishan

lines on the record

506

first

2002-03-27

most recent

2006-06-07

sittings or episodes

108

sources

un-security-council

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1. “At the same time, as required by the Charter, regional organizations should, on their own initiative, maintain closer contacts with the Security Council in order to provide the Council with timely and comprehensive updates on actions they are taking. That is essential to ensure that regional actions are correctly oriented. Thirdly, the United Nations should actively help regional organizations, especially those in Africa, to build their capacity for peacekeeping. The African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development have all made very effective contributions to addressing conflicts in Africa.”

   2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source

2. “Geographical proximity and similarities in the historical and cultural backgrounds of their members give regional organizations a unique advantage with respect to the maintenance of regional peace and security. Prior to debating or taking action on a conflict situation, the Security Council must, as appropriate, listen to the views and suggestions of the regional organizations concerned so that it can take informed decisions that are feasible, pertinent and effective. Regional organizations, particularly those from Africa, should be able to count on as much support and cooperation as possible from the United Nations in actions they initiate to resolve conflicts.”

   2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source

3. “Regional organizations too can contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Charter serves as a guide for United Nations action and as a framework for the activities of regional organizations. Chapter VIII provides for a role by regional organizations in the settlement of disputes and defines the relationship between the United Nations and such organizations. Here, let me underscore in particular Article 53, which states that "no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council". Secondly, effective cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations should be further enhanced in order to create synergy based on their respective assets; the United Nations should maintain open communication with regional organizations.”

   2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source

4. “For more than a decade, the United Nations has been steadily enhancing its coordination and cooperation with regional organizations both in conflict prevention and resolution and in post-conflict peace- building. This has had a positive effect in strengthening the role of the United Nations and in the maintenance of peace and stability. We appreciate the renewed initiative by Romania to convene a debate on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. In that connection, I wish to highlight a number of points. First, the Charter of the United Nations confers on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council is thus at the core of the international collective security machinery.”

   2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source

5. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): Today's meeting is very important and very timely. I wish to welcome you, Mr. Prime Minister, and to thank you for personally presiding over this meeting in New York. I should also like to welcome the presence of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico and representatives of regional organizations. The world is experiencing complex and profound changes, and we are facing many threats and challenges. Both traditional and non-traditional security issues are increasingly assuming a transboundary character. An effective response to those threats and challenges depends on the concerted efforts of all countries, the important role of the United Nations and cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations.”

   2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source

6. “China hopes that the visit will help ease the burden on Member States in submitting their reports to the CTC by giving them more time to implement resolution 1373 (2001). Thirdly, we greatly appreciate the offer by the League of Arab States to host what will be the fourth special meeting of the CTC with international, regional and subregional organizations. The League of Arab States' holding of the upcoming special meeting will be an opportunity to show the resolve of the Arab world to combine its efforts to combat terrorism and to demonstrate that all Member States share the common cause of combating terrorism. That can only be beneficial to the common cause of the international fight against terrorism. We are certain that the League of Arab States will duly complete the preparatory work that will make the event a success.”

   2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source

7. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): First of all, I should like to thank Ambassador Konuzin, Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), for his briefing. With Ambassador Konuzin as Chairman, I believe we can have every confidence in the work done by the CTC. I support the points he made in his briefing. I would like to make three very brief comments. First, we support reform of the CTC, and we welcome Ambassador Ruperez as the new Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). We hope that, through the efforts of the CTED and the Secretariat, the Directorate will soon get down to work. Secondly, China supports the visit by the CTC to a Member State to gather information on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) in order to assess the need for assistance in combating terrorism.”

   2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source

8. “It is necessary that the international community support, and work in coordination with, those organizations in their efforts, as well as to help the countries of the region to engage in economic development and realize sustainable development in order to tackle the causes of conflict at their roots.”

   2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source

9. “Those recommendations therefore deserve to be studied seriously and implemented soon by the Security Council. The useful ideas just proposed by countries that were visited, as well as by other interested countries and organizations, also deserve to be studied by the Council. The problems in West Africa transcend national borders. Their solution calls for a regional, integrated and comprehensive approach. China appreciates the positive role played by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Mano River Union and other regional and subregional organizations in that regard. China supports the ECOWAS idea of establishing a stand-by force. China also welcomes the holding in May of a Mano River Union summit meeting, which we hope will lead to the Union's revitalization.”

   2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source

10. “How to help the countries of the region to extricate themselves once and for all from the vicious circle of conflict and poverty and to embark on the road to peace and development is a long-term challenge facing the region, as well as the international community. Experience in recent years has shown that the dispatch of a visiting mission is an effective means for the Council to gain further first-hand understanding of the situation in West Africa, as well as to seek possible solutions. Through the joint effort of all parties concerned, this year's mission to the region has achieved its expected goals. The report of the mission (S/2004/525) contains many good recommendations that may help promote the solution of problems in West Africa.”

    2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source

11. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): The Chinese delegation welcomes the convening of this meeting. I am grateful to Ambassador Jones Parry for his briefing, and to other countries for their statements. The West African subregion is endowed with rich natural resources and a large population; it has a great potential for economic development and prosperity. And yet, for different reasons, many countries in the region have, to varying degrees, been afflicted by armed conflicts. Although the situation in most of the region has improved markedly in the past year, the countries of the region continue to face the arduous task of post-conflict peace-building. The proliferation of small arms and the use of mercenaries and child soldiers continue to plague the region, negatively affecting the development of the entire region.”

    2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source

12. “We hope UNMIK will continue to play a constructive role in ensuring Kosovo's stability, promoting harmonious coexistence among all communities and facilitating the implementation of the Kosovo standards document.”

    2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source

13. “Secondly, the facilities and the property destroyed during the violent clashes should be rebuilt and compensation paid, and the security needs of the minorities must be met. At the same time, specific steps should be taken to gradually resume mutual trust and enhance reconciliation among all communities in Kosovo. Thirdly, the relevant parties, particularly the Provisional Institutions of Self- Government, should make greater efforts to enhance the rule of law, protect minority rights and decentralize functions from the central level to local bodies. Here I wish to reiterate that resolution 1244 (1999) and the "standards before status" policy remain the basis for resolving the Kosovo question. We encourage Belgrade and Pristina to resume direct dialogue as soon as possible.”

    2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source

14. “The Security Council's presidential statement of 30 April (S/PRST/2004/ 13) set out a series of measures to be taken to emerge from the present difficult situation. The Secretary-General also expressed some important recommendations in that regard in his report. We believe that the present task is to implement those measures and recommendations as soon as possible. Only by doing that can the Kosovo peace process be maintained and advanced. The international community's efforts throughout the years will not have been in vain. The investigations of the March incidents should be accelerated and those responsible should be brought to justice. That will help ensure that that type of violence will not be repeated.”

    2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source

15. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): First, I wish to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) (S/2004/348). I also thank Mr. Holkeri for his additional briefing, and welcome Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro to today's meeting and thank him for his statement. The Security Council has repeatedly considered the Kosovo question recently, which has reflected international community's concern about the Kosovo question and the importance it attaches to it. Indeed, as the Secretary-General points out in his report, the serious violence of March in Kosovo has had a disturbingly negative impact on local political, economic and social development.”

    2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source

16. “We support UNOMB's continued monitoring and implementation of the Peace Agreement with a View to ensuring the success of the Bougainville peace process. We also appeal to the United Nations agencies concerned and to donor countries to provide assistance in the framework of the post-conflict reconstruction of Bougainville and to help the local authorities in the area of capacity-building and accelerate the reintegration of ex-combatants.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

17. “The parties to the Peace Agreement have accomplished a great deal in terms of collecting and destroying weapons, and the process will soon be completed. The Bougainville Constitution has already reached the phase of final consultations and drafting and will soon be submitted to the Government of Papua New Guinea for approval. These positive developments are very encouraging. China appreciates the political goodwill demonstrated by the Government of Papua New Guinea and by other parties to the Bougainville peace process. We hope that all parties will continue their efforts fully to implement the Peace Agreement and to achieve, as soon as possible, lasting peace and stability in Bougainville.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

18. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): I should like to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council this month. I am confident that, under your excellent leadership, the Security Council will successfully complete its work. I wish also to thank Ambassador Pleuger and the German delegation for the outstanding work they did during the German presidency last month. Let me also thank the Assistant Secretary- General, Mr. Tiirk, for his informative briefing on the latest developments in the Bougainville peace process. We appreciate the work done by the United Nations Observer Mission in Bougainville (UNOMB). Since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, major progress has been achieved in the Bougainville peace process, which is now at a crucial juncture.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

19. “Violence for violence will not help to resolve the issue; on the contrary, it will only lead to more violence and conflict. Under the current circumstances, the international community should intensify its efforts and promptly take practical, effective measures to bring Israel and Palestine back to the peace talks at an early date.”

    2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source

20. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): At the outset, I should like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today's public meeting. We are deeply shocked by another Israeli assassination by means of the targeted removal of a Hamas leader, Mr. Al-Rantisi, in the Gaza Strip. We are deeply concerned about the prospects of tension between Israel and Palestine, which may worsen as a result. China strongly condemns this violation of international law, and we call upon Israel to immediately cease such assassination operations. China is always of the view that the Middle East issue is complex. The only way to peace in the Middle East lies in a comprehensive settlement, to be reached through negotiations on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003).”

    2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source

21. “We should encourage business, especially multinational corporations, to make use of their advantage, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions, to work actively and to play a constructive role in preventing conflict and promoting the settlement of conflicts. We are in favour of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council further exploring this issue.”

    2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source

22. “Business should actively carry out operations in underdeveloped countries and regions, providing financing and transferring technology, in order to help the local people eradicate poverty, improve their economy and achieve sustainable development, thus preventing the outbreak of conflicts. Prevention and resolution of conflicts require the joint efforts of the international community. The United Nations, regional organizations and Governments undoubtedly bear the major responsibility in that respect. At the same time, however, business can also play a role.”

    2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source

23. “The active participation of business in local economic reconstruction can lead to a company's own growth and help the country in question rehabilitate its economy after conflict, thus providing jobs for the people and enabling more ex-combatants to reintegrate into society. That would favourably complement the efforts of the international community and the Governments concerned to achieve stability and consolidate peace. Thirdly, business can make an active contribution to the prevention of conflicts. If we look at today's world, we can see that most conflicts take place in developing countries. Although the causes of conflicts are various, they are to a great extent all closely linked to economic underdevelopment.”

    2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source

24. “In that respect, we welcome and appreciate the beneficial contribution the Kimberley Process has made to severing the link between the illegal trade of diamonds and armed conflicts. It is undoubtedly extremely important for the prevention of the escalation of conflicts that businesses enhance their sense of moral responsibility, strengthen their self- regulation in the conduct of their business and comply strictly with the relevant Council resolutions. Secondly, business should actively participate in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process and post-conflict peace-building. In the wake of conflict, the affected countries and regions lie in ruins.”

    2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source

25. “Therefore, how to push for and promote a positive role for business in the peace process in conflict-afflicted countries and regions is a question that merits our serious consideration. In that respect, I would like to make the following comments and observations. First, businesses should scrupulously abide by the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and other codes of conduct. For some businesses active in conflict-ridden countries in Africa, profit is their only goal, and they engage in illegal trade in products such as diamonds and timber, in disregard of the provisions of the relevant Council resolutions. That kind of illegal trade often abets armed conflict in the region and undermines the peace process concerned. Those activities must be stopped.”

    2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source

26. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): At the outset, I wish to thank you, Sir, for taking the initiative of convening this open meeting and to welcome the participation and statement of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan. I also welcome the presence of Mr. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, and Mr. von Pierer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens, as well as the President of the Economic and Social Council and the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group for African Countries emerging from conflict. With the steady development of economic globalization, the operations of many businesses have extended to all corners of the world. In some cases, contact with those businesses has a certain influence on the development of a situation in the conflict region.”

    2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source

27. “We note that UNMIK has formulated the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan and intends to revise it further. We hope the Plan will help Kosovo achieve substantial progress in the political, economic and social fields. I stress once again that political dialogue is the only right way to solve the Kosovo problem. Violence will not help to find a solution to the problem and is in no one's interest. We hope that Belgrade and Pristina will resume their dialogue as soon as possible and resolve their differences through patient negotiations.”

    2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source

28. “We hope that the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government will adopt further measures to strengthen the rule of law, improve public order, ensure the safety of all ethnic communities, especially minorities, and guarantee the right of return and freedom of movement. We call on the parties concerned also to continue their commitment to ethnic reconciliation in order to create conditions for the establishment of a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. We have always maintained that the solution to the Kosovo problem should be based on resolution 1244 (1999) and the principle of "standards before status". That is the common understanding of the entire international community as well.”

    2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source

29. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): I would like first to thank Under-Secretary-General Guehenno for his briefing on the situation in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro. The large-scale violent inter-ethnic conflict that took place in Kosovo last month seriously undermines the peace process in Kosovo and the international community's efforts there. Although the situation has eased somewhat, it remains extremely precarious. We deplore the violent acts against Kosovo Serbs and the destruction of religious and cultural facilities described by Under-Secretary-General Guehenno in his briefing. We urge the parties concerned to discover the truth about those events as soon as possible and to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

    2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source

30. “We believe that the international community must continue to actively help countries in West Africa develop their economies, strengthen the rule of law, improve the environment, eliminate disease and achieve sustainable development in order to tackle the root causes of cross-border problems in that region.”

    2004-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4933 (2004) · source

31. “We hope all the peacekeeping operations will enhance their cooperation and will tackle together cross-border issues. That will play a positive role in stabilizing the situation. In that connection, we believe the Secretary- General's recommendation on joint border patrols merits our serious study. As the Secretary-General points out in his report, small arms, cross-border mercenaries and child soldiers are only symptoms. The fundamental way to achieve lasting peace in West Africa is to promote comprehensive social and economic development in the region.”

    2004-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4933 (2004) · source

32. “Particularly, it might consider formulating a regional disarmament, demobilization and reintegration plan. We support the Mano River Union in playing its dual role. We call on the international community to provide financial assistance to ECOWAS and to help it enhance its capacity-building. Thirdly, the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region should enhance their coordination and promote the peace process of the West African countries. In recent years, the Security Council has authorized United Nations peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone, Liberia and other countries, making an important contribution to the stability of the region. The United Nations will shortly dispatch a peacekeeping operation to Cote d'Ivoire.”

    2004-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4933 (2004) · source

33. “We support West African countries in taking effective measures to seriously combat the spread of small arms and to resolutely stop the illegal use of mercenaries and child soldiers. At the same time, they should undertake necessary reform of the security sector. We encourage all countries to develop good-neighbourly relations and to try to change border areas into places of friendly exchanges, rather than safe havens for illegal weapons. Secondly, we should allow the regional organizations to play their role. ECOWAS has recently made unremitting efforts to resolve conflicts in the region and has achieved positive results. We appreciate those efforts. At the same time, we hope ECOWAS will assume cross-border issues as their next priority task.”

    2004-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4933 (2004) · source

34. “They have not only exacerbated the tension and turbulence of the countries concerned, they have also had a negative impact on the development of the entire region. They run counter to the common aspirations of the West African countries to seek peace and development. They are not conducive to peace and stability on the African continent. A marked characteristic of the above-mentioned issues is their transborder nature. Therefore, in order to settle these problems, we must proceed from the regional perspective to a comprehensive strategy. We believe that we must make efforts in the following three areas. First, the solution to West African transborder issues eventually depends on the efforts of the countries themselves. We endorse the relevant recommendations in the Secretary-General's report.”

    2004-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4933 (2004) · source

35. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): First I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's important meeting and for coming to New York to preside in person. At the same time, I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Nana Akufo- Addo, and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Chambas. Due to geographic and historical reasons, the West African countries are deeply interconnected. The situations in the region are deeply intertwined and affect one another. As some delegations have pointed out in their statements, illegal trafficking in small arms and the use of mercenaries and child soldiers are increasing in the region.”

    2004-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4933 (2004) · source

36. “We support all the efforts made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNMIK and KFOR to re-stabilize the situation. We earnestly hope that the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government and other relevant parties will work closely with them so as to prevent such events from recurring.”

    2004-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4928 (2004) · source

37. “We call upon the Albanian and Serb communities in Kosovo to exercise maximum restraint so as to prevent the situation from worsening. Those tragic events have demonstrated that, almost five years after the Security Council adopted resolution 1244 (1999), the situation in Kosovo is still very fragile and there is still a long way to go before peace, stability and multi-ethnic harmony and peaceful coexistence can be achieved in Kosovo. The international community, the Government of Serbia and Montenegro and the Provisional Institutions of Self- Government must redouble their efforts to that end. We welcome the joint statement made on 17 March by UNMIK, the Provisional Institutions of Self- Government, political leaders and other parties.”

    2004-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4928 (2004) · source

38. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): I should like first of all to express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, for having convened this necessary and timely meeting. The Chinese delegation would like to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany to today's meeting. I would also like to welcome in particular the presence of the Secretary- General, Mr. Kofi Annan. The Chinese delegation is shocked by the serious, bloody events that have taken place in recent days in Mitrovica and other cities in Kosovo, resulting in many deaths and injuries. We condemn those acts of violence in the strongest terms. I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep condolences to the families of the victims.”

    2004-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4928 (2004) · source

39. “We hope that the existing problems will be duly addressed as soon as possible, in particular the issue of overreporting on the part of the Member States. It should be noted that revitalization and reform are an ongoing process. No matter how reform is undertaken, the CTC should maintain its policy guidance over the work of the executive directorate. All decisions should be taken through consensus in the CTC plenary.”

    2004-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4921 (2004) · source

40. “The current effort to revitalize the CTC has drawn the attention of the overall membership. After repeated consultations, the CTC has issued a formal report, which it has circulated as a document of the Security Council. After more than two years of operation, the CTC's existing structure and working methods have revealed their shortcomings, such as the overburden of reporting on the part of the Member States and a surfeit of meetings and documents. Its efficiency must be improved and there is a lack of coordination among the experts. We therefore fully support the necessary reform of the CTC and endorse the package of measures contained in the report, including the establishment of an executive directorate.”

    2004-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4921 (2004) · source

41. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): I should like to begin by thanking you, Sir, for convening today's open meeting. I also thank the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the Permanent Representative of Spain, Ambassador Arias, for his briefing. China commends the CTC for its efforts to facilitate the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by all countries and to help developing countries to improve their counter-terrorism capacity-building. We support the CTC in its coordination and cooperation with the relevant international, regional and subregional organizations to fight terrorism. At the same time, we hope that the CTC will step up its efforts to provide counter-terrorism assistance and do its utmost to meet the needs of the developing countries.”

    2004-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4921 (2004) · source

42. “Over the past few months, the changes in the situation in West Africa - particularly the good progress achieved in Liberia - have fully demonstrated that the Security Council mission to the region was timely and necessary and that the mission's recommendations - presented on the basis of realities on the ground - are quite feasible. We hope that the Security Council will continue to follow up and monitor the implementation of the recommendations in order to ensure that this is comprehensive and thorough. We also await a report by the Secretary- General on cross-border issues.”

    2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source

43. “The region's countries are closely inter-linked, and turbulence in one country will often spread to neighbouring countries and even throughout the region. Therefore - as recommended in the Secretary-General's report - the international community, including the Security Council, should, in addressing West African issues, adhere to an integrated and holistic strategy and strive to resolve cross-border issues while vigorously helping both the countries concerned and the African Union, ECOWAS and other regional and subregional organizations to enhance their capacities for conflict prevention and resolution. Greater economic support and assistance provided by the international community to countries in the West African region will be of equal importance.”

    2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source

44. “The various parties have committed themselves to the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, and the Forces nouvelles have declared a return to the Government of National Reconciliation. The Security Council is deliberating on the dispatch of a peacekeeping mission to that country; we await an early decision by the Council on that issue. The Secretariat, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the parties concerned have achieved good results in their efforts to address cross-border issues - such as small arms, mercenaries and child soldiers - in a regional approach. While fully acknowledging that progress, we should be aware of the vulnerable side of the overall situation in West Africa, which is due in particular to geopolitical and historical reasons.”

    2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source

45. “We are pleased to note that, in Sierra Leone, the Government's efforts to build the capacity of its army and troops, to enhance its control over its diamond resources and to prepare for local governmental elections are well under way. The drawdown of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is proceeding as planned. We are pleased that, with the deployment of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Liberia is gradually emerging from the effects of a long-standing war and has embarked on the road to rehabilitation and reconstruction. The political process in Guinea-Bissau has achieved good results. The transitional Government has pledged to hold legislative elections in March this year. The peace process in Cote d'Ivoire, after suffering a number of setbacks, is experiencing a positive trend.”

    2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source

46. “Mr. Zhang Yishan (China) (spoke in Chinese): The Chinese delegation wishes to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting. I also thank the Secretary-General for his progress report on the recommendations of the Security Council mission to West Africa (S/2003/1147). In addition, I thank Assistant Secretary-General Kalomoh for his introduction of the report. Since the Security Council mission's visit to six countries of West Africa at the end of June 2003, even though there have been ups and downs in the situation in a few isolated cases, the overall situation in the region has witnessed encouraging changes.”

    2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source

47. “We agree that the United Nations and the relevant regional organizations and agencies of the United Nations system should intensify their cooperation and coordination efforts with a view to adopting an integrated strategy so that, working together, they can help countries in conflict to enhance their ability to protect children. China will continue to work together with the international community to promote the cause of the protection of children.”

    2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898 (2004) · source

48. “Secondly, in post-conflict countries and regions, the authorities concerned must solve the problem of returning children to their families, schools and society as a matter of priority and provide adequate and guaranteed resources to that end. The international community should also actively provide assistance to that end. Thirdly, the Security Council should continue to intensify its efforts to prevent and put an end to conflict, in keeping with its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The relevant departments within the United Nations should, in a timely manner, provide an overview of successful experiences in protecting children in peacekeeping operations for use in future operations. China believes that the United Nations should play an active role in protecting children in armed conflict.”

    2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898 (2004) · source

49. “Although the international community has attached growing importance in recent years to the protection of children in armed conflict and has achieved progress on this issue, we must and can make genuine efforts to effect real change in the situation. In this context, I wish to stress the following points. First, all parties to armed conflict should implement in good faith their obligations under relevant international law in order to safeguard the rights of children. All those who have participated in killing, abducting or abusing children should be severely punished according to the law. The coercive recruitment and deployment of child soldiers must be stopped.”

    2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898 (2004) · source

50. “The Security Council has adopted resolutions 1261 (1999), 1314 (2000), 1379 (2001) and 1460 (2003), which provide a very important legal framework for the work of child protection. United Nations peacekeeping operations in certain areas have mandated child protection - including the appointment of child protection advisers and the recognition of the special needs of children - as a key task in assisting the countries where they are deployed to carry out disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation or resettlement programmes. Some peace agreements promoted by or achieved with the assistance of the United Nations also contain child- protection provisions. All such measures have, to a certain extent, mitigated the harm caused by armed conflict to children and should therefore be welcomed.”

    2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898 (2004) · source