YouSaid · the spoken record

Zinsou

lines on the record: 354
first: 2004-02-17
most recent: 2015-05-13
sittings or episodes: 46
sources: un-security-council

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“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): Mr. President, my delegation thanks you for organizing today's public meeting. We greatly appreciate the presence here of the President of Costa Rica and his personal contribution, which considerably raises the tone of this important public event taking place during the term of office of Costa Rica in the presidency of the Security Council. The topic is of importance in order to achieve the major objectives of the United Nations. Nothing distinguishes the United Nations Charter as much as the explicit link established between peace, international security, development and the promotion of respect for individual rights and fundamental freedoms. This relationship is reflected quite clearly in Article 26 of the Charter.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The international community should further contribute to the social reintegration of those children by ensuring that they receive the education and support they require and to which they have a right if they are to grow and realize their full human potential. At stake are the future stability of their countries, the regions in which they are located, and international peace and security.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We call on the members of the Council to work vigorously to strengthen international measures for the protection of children in conflict situations, both in terms of mandates and in terms of resources allocated to the various component parts. At the same time, my delegation would like to draw the Council's attention to the need to become even further involved in the rehabilitation of child victims abuse in conflict situations and to ensure that poor communities are not left to deal alone with the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on those children. The situation of children affected by armed conflict should enjoy all due attention in the context of peacebuilding efforts.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It is our hope that the Council will be able to mobilize the necessary political will to make full use of the potential of resolution 1612 (2005). If the general understanding is that the aforementioned provisions deal only with situations on the agenda of the Council, and if we conclude therefrom that the mechanism lacks the ability to act against parties in situations that are not on the Council's agenda, it is then up to the Council to bridge that gap. The earlier that is done the better, so as not to perpetuate the practice of double standards in its efforts to protect children in conflict situations.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In paragraph 8 (a), the resolution states that the Security Council decides, inter alia, to entrust the Working Group with the recommendation of measures to promote the protection of children affected by armed conflict; in paragraph 9, reaffirms that it intends to consider imposing, through country-specific resolutions, targeted and graduated measures against parties to armed conflict which are on the Council's agenda and are in violation of applicable international law relating to the rights and protection of children in armed conflict. Those paragraphs provide sufficient leeway for the Working Group to propose measures against the parties involved and for the Security Council to find the appropriate formula for follow-up to those proposals.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We find ourselves in a situation which, back in 2006, was already of interest to the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight, which, in the first recommendation of its report, emphasized the disparity between, on the one hand, the objectives and intentions ascribed to the mechanism and its original intent and, on the other hand, the fact that, in practice, there was heavy emphasis on documenting verified violations and that specific action by the Council was still not forthcoming, despite the seriousness of the violations. That is the case despite the relevant provisions of resolution 1612 (2005).”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“For its part, the Security Council should no longer tolerate challenges to its authority if it intends to preserve the credibility of the mechanism and its own credibility in exercising the powers entrusted to it by the Charter. The effectiveness of the Council depends to a large extent on its internal dynamics. There may be differences in the interpretation of resolution 1612 (2005) and of earlier resolutions, but at the time that the resolution was being drafted, we could not imagine that the Working Group would be deprived of the capacity to impose measures targeting those parties which violate the rights of children once verification of criminal acts had taken place.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Council must tirelessly pursue its actions by maintaining pressure on parties to conflicts. Without belittling the advantages of the dialogue that has been advocated by the Working Group of the Security Council, in our view it is intolerable that we still have more than 15 parties to conflict that continue with full impunity to violate the rights of children in various ways, despite the ongoing efforts made by the international community to persuade them to mend their ways. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun to play an active part in combating impunity for crimes committed against children in armed conflict. The Court requires the cooperation of States to achieve its goals. We congratulate the ICC on its tenth anniversary.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We encourage the Working Group to continue to work in the spirit of the universality of its mandate and the equitable treatment of all of the violations reported to it. We welcome the invaluable contribution of UNICEF to that positive evolution of the mechanism. Progress made in the protection of children affected by conflict can be measured in the large number of children who have been liberated or demobilized in both categories. While we are delighted by those developments, there remains a great deal to do towards making a reality of our dream of a world without child soldiers, without children who are mutilated or killed, without schools that are bombed and without sexual violence being perpetuated on children; a world without war against children, who are the future of humankind.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Coomaraswamy; to the members of the Working Group of the Security Council and its main leader, France, co-sponsor of the resolution; and to all of those in the field who have provided new impetus to the follow-up mechanism and the communication of information on children in armed conflict. The performance of the mechanism is indeed most commendable, in particular since the issuance of the independent study that made it possible to consider jointly the situations referred to in annex I of the Secretary-General's report, those situations which are on the Council's agenda, and those that are not the Council's agenda listed in annex II, on the basis of the mandate provided by resolution 1379 (2001).”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): My delegation would like to warmly congratulate you, Sir, on your country's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We express our appreciation to the representative of the United States of America for his masterly guidance of the work of the Security Council in June. Benin, which conducted the negotiations leading to the adoption of resolution 1612 (2005), welcomes the remarkable progress made thus far in its implementation. We pay a well-deserved tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Security Council's adoption of this new draft resolution will give the United Nations the tools to ensure better monitoring of zones of conflict with a view to better protecting civilians.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Their participation in negotiations to conclude and implement peace accords and to establish truth and reconciliation bodies would be an additional guarantee of the mainstreaming of gender-specific issues. They could also help to ensure that effective prevention policies are adopted. In this context, my delegation believes that it is entirely appropriate for the Security Council to adopt a resolution on this issue on the basis of the draft text (S/2008/403) circulated by the United States as part of the preparations for this public debate. This initiative, as a whole, has the support of my delegation. Last year, it was an honour for Benin to have contributed to bringing about consensus in the General Assembly on the resolution on rape (General Assembly resolution 62/ 134) that was initiated by the United States.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“That said, we must enhance the awareness of law enforcement agencies on the issue of sexual violence to ensure that they effectively protect the population, because it is not rare for all parties to an armed conflict to be guilty of serious crimes against civilian populations - who are just as fearful of Government forces as of rebel forces. The fight against sexual exploitation attributed to members of peacekeeping operations must be intensified. We must act more preventively than we have by improving the awareness of contingent members before they are deployed. Care for victims of sexual violence is best provided by women and by women's civil society organizations. They should regard this as a field of action in which they have a clear comparative advantage.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It nearly goes without saying that the deployment of women in the contingents would make the fight against sexual violence more effective because it could facilitate contact and the gathering of sensitive information. But the absence of women in these contingents should not impede the development of effective strategies to counter this phenomenon. While amnesty for warlords is often the price to pay in concluding peace accords, it is important to ensure that serious crimes not be covered up, as long as they are properly documented. These crimes should be made imprescriptible worldwide so that those who are suspected of having committed such crimes may be brought to account as soon as possible in an international or national jurisdiction as appropriate.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“At the same time, we must put an end to the stigmatization of women who are victims of rape and give them back their dignity by organizing awareness- raising campaigns and by establishing structures for psychological rehabilitation. This type of assistance to victims and to communities affected by armed conflict should be taken into account in the mandates of peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations. In general terms, protection against sexual violence is an essential aspect of protecting civilians. United Nations missions should analyse such violence in order to define the concrete measures that can be taken to prevent sexual attacks.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Synergy should also be established between the activities of human rights advisers, where they are deployed, and the monitoring and information mechanism established within the framework of resolution 1612 (2005), which was initiated by my country, Benin. This mechanism has been proven itself: it has enabled us to identify the perpetrators of abuse against children in situations of armed conflict. Strengthening the legal provisions to fight impunity would be of great use, because the credibility of these provisions could serve as a deterrent to the parties to conflict. The International Criminal Court has a crucial role to play in this context.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“But all of that still does not compare to the use of mass rape as a weapon of war or as an instrument for ethnic cleansing or outright genocide. The international community must acquire the means to gain access to the lawless regions where such crimes are committed and must carry out investigations of reported cases. In this context, the Council should be able to order special operations, by virtue of the principle of the responsibility to protect, in order to establish and document the involvement of armed groups committing sexual violence against women. Such investigations would aim also to determine the nature and the scope of the action to be taken to put an end to these criminal practices.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): My delegation congratulates the United States of America on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We are particularly pleased, Sir, to see you presiding over this public debate. If there is one area where the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) leaves most to be desired, it is that of the many forms of unconscionable violence and abuse which parties to armed conflict continue to inflict against women and young girls. This situation is in complete contravention of international standards. The most heinous and most traumatizing form of abuse against women is sexual violence. The seriousness of this abominable phenomenon is multiplied when it is perpetrated on a large scale.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Government mediators have a role to play: they can help Governments to quickly defuse any disputes that may arise in the management of public affairs. In addition to a mediator, Benin now has a new body called the Office of the High Commissioner on Participatory Governance. This was established together with the United Nations Democracy Fund. Its job is to lead the national dialogue on substantive matters relating to national life and to seek agreed solutions. Those are just a few examples of how to meet the need of every country emerging from conflict to find practical ways of peacefully resolving national disputes so that they can bolster their citizens' desire to live together in peace and strengthen national cohesion. This must involve all players in the life of the nation.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The cooperation framework set up for the implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund's support to beneficiary countries must take account of the need to guide them quickly towards mobilizing their domestic resources so that they can make better use of the available outside assistance. The resources allocated by the Fund should give rise to catalytic activities that can later be assisted by financing from bilateral and multilateral partners and private-sector investment. A third and last area that my delegation thinks is of paramount importance is establishing a culture of peace. This means the setting up of systems to identify and address problems that could undermine the national consensus - which means agreement on how to preserve the fabric and unity of the country.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The enormous need for financing for recovery and reconstruction can be met only if the domestic resources of the country are mobilized and transparently and sensibly used. Particularly in countries where inequitable distribution of income from the exploitation of natural resources was one of the causes of conflict, peace agreements must be crystal clear on the conditions for exploitation of natural resources and on the modalities of redistribution. The international community should use its influence to help put in place agreed management machinery, as it did in the case of Liberia with the Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Security sector and judicial reform are of paramount importance and should be given special attention and careful follow-up. Another prerequisite for peacebuilding is having a peacetime economy replace the wartime economy by creating the conditions for the resumption of healthy economic activity, combating all kinds of trafficking and ensuring that the country can rejoin the world economy and move towards sustainable human development. This requires proper management of available resources, fair regulation of peaceful economic activities, whether it be the exploitation of natural resources or in the service sector. In this connection, my delegation has always had reservations about long-term embargoes on the exploitation of the natural resources of countries emerging from conflict.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Indeed, we are already sharing our experiences within the International Organization of la Francophonie, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States. One lesson learned from the experience of countries emerging from conflict is that lack of resources to consolidate achievements and the consequent inability to function are among the reasons for the failure of peace agreements. New institutions can be credible only if they are able to perform in a way that will command respect and establish their legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens. This, of course, means fully respecting human rights, establishing mechanisms that will ensure good governance, looking after those who have been victims and establishing transitional justice that reconciles the need to combat impunity with the aspirations for national reconciliation.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The transitional Government received substantial budgetary assistance and focused technical assistance from bilateral and multilateral partners. This enabled us to revive the economy on a new basis and, above all, it enabled us to establish institutions that were effective in taking up the challenges facing us in the area of maintaining political stability and managing development efforts. Especially in the political arena, as one Government democratically succeeded another, Benin acquired some expertise in the area of how to strengthen national institutions and manage the rule of law. We are ready to share our experience with other countries facing difficulties in that sphere.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Particularly in the field of the police, the United Nations should develop partnerships with countries that have regional training centres so that their curricula can include material relevant to participation in integrated operations. Special attention should be given to those areas where it is a matter of re-establishing law-enforcement functions, since the whole State apparatus has to start working again so that the rule of law, which is crucial to normalization in all other areas of life, can be re-established. My country, Benin, experienced a national crisis in the late 1980s. It was able to recover through a national initiative, but it could not have succeeded without the multifaceted support we received as we emerged from crisis. Our development partners agreed to pay civil servants so that the public services could resume.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“If a critical mass of human resources is lacking in the country, then one should call on the diaspora. Nationals should be put back in charge who can work together with United Nations experts on defining recovery processes. In order to play its role as guarantor of universal norms, the United Nations must develop the competent and neutral international expertise to meet technical assistance needed in post-conflict situations. In the specific area of security sector reform, the United Nations should increase its operational capacity, drawing up rosters of experts standing by for deployment, with a certification system based on competencies defined in agreement with Member States.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Commission can enter into contact with national actors, regional organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners and interested civil society actors so as to put in place coherent support programmes aimed at helping prevent a relapse into conflict and putting the country concerned back on the path towards peace. Mandates can no longer be established without such prior consultation. Once the mandates have been defined, the Special Representatives of the Secretary- General should fully utilize their influence and the civil and military means at their disposal to ensure that the parties participate in good faith in normalization processes. The United Nations should help countries to mobilize the expertise that is needed to establish the institutions to meet national needs.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission provides a forum not only for consultation and coordination, but also for reflection to come up with integrated strategies setting out priorities for coherent support to be provided to countries emerging from conflict. In that regard, the Commission can help the Security Council define, in direct dialogue with the parties to peace agreements, the configurations of missions to be deployed and of integrated mandates likely to promote synergies for coherent action on the ground. The Working Group established by the Commission to capitalize on lessons learned can play an effective role in that context.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): My delegation expresses its condolences to China and Myanmar on the disasters that have so gravely affected them. We also associate ourselves with the statement made by the representative of Jamaica on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. My delegation congratulates you, Madam, on your country's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. We welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, which lends particular dignity to this meeting. It is proof~ as if that were needed - of your country's commitment to United Nations activities in the area of peacebuilding and to strengthening the Commission established to promote it.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“My delegation believes that that proposal could form part of the institutionalization of conflict prevention within the United Nations, something which my country is urging.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In the final analysis, that is a key aspect of the rule of law and good governance. Consolidating the mechanisms established to that end will ensure the lasting stabilization of countries. The equitable distribution of income is key in that regard. The Security Council needs to support the parties to a conflict in defining the standards for peaceful relations between them - ensuring respect for the United Nations Charter and the general principles of international law - and to ensure that all parties comply with agreements reached. In conclusion, my delegation welcomes the proposal made this morning by the President of the Economic and Social Council to establish a forum between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council on the link between natural resources and conflict.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“If the circumstances so require, such measures need to be imposed as long as necessary in order to be able to establish legitimate mechanisms for exploiting resources, so that the countries involved can mobilize their domestic resources to finance reconstruction and development. That concern should be taken into account in defining the mandates of peacekeeping operations, so that the international community possess the means to use its authority to contribute to replacing an economy of war, spawned by conflict, with an economy of peace. That means that assistance to countries emerging from conflict to establish solid and sustainable national institutions must be supported by assistance towards national ownership of the natural resources that are in dispute, and towards their transparent management.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Such studies could be aimed at identifying the mechanisms by which such trafficking develops and measures that could be recommended to States - both nationally and within the framework of multilateral cooperation - taking into account all of the relevant actors. In managing certain armed conflicts linked to the control of natural resources, the Security Council has often made use of sanctions, in particular embargoes targeting the products in question. It is clear that the effectiveness of such measures depends on compliance and on their consistent application by all States. However, when an internal conflict is caused by the monopolization of natural resources by a minority, sanctions may not be the only valid option.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In order to do that, it must continue to make appropriate use of the powers conferred upon it by the Charter whenever situations emerge that could pose a threat to international peace and security with respect to natural resources. Beyond the management of specific situations, it is incumbent upon the Security Council to consider systemic measures that could be taken to fight practices that are harmful to the maintenance of international peace and security as it relates to natural resources. Within that framework, the Security Council could commission studies on the trafficking of natural resources and high-value commodities that could or do contribute to the outbreak, escalation or continuation of conflict.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Annually, it deprives African economies of billions of dollars, money that is used to finance, depending on the circumstances, illegal trafficking of arms or the influence peddling and corruption that undermine State structures and jeopardize their ability to function. From the standpoint of the principles and purposes of the Charter, it is fortunate that the link between natural resources and conflict is fully taken into account in the activities assigned to the Security Council as part of its mandated responsibilities. It is crucial that the Council be able to resolutely fight the illegal exploitation of natural resources, as it set about doing in resolution 1625 (2005) on conflict prevention, in particular in Africa.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The course of human history has been constantly influenced by the quest to control natural resources, which are an important driving force in international relations. Globalization has encouraged the illegal exploitation of natural resources, in all its forms, both in the context of actions by non-State armed groups and as part of the informal economy, as is the case of panning for gold. The illegal exploitation of natural resources leads to the deterioration of the environment. It promotes international organized crime, in particular the trafficking of children who are used as labour in quarries.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): My delegation welcomes your presence, Sir, as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, at this public meeting of the Security Council, to which it attaches particular importance. I wish also to congratulate you warmly on your assumption of the presidency of the Council and on having taken the initiative to hold this open debate on the link between natural resources and conflict. The reality of that link has been clearly demonstrated by most of the speakers who have preceded me. I endorse the statements made this morning by the representative of Tunisia on behalf of the African Group and by the representative of Congo, whose views on the matter I fully share. Natural resources are an essential factor for the prosperity of States.”
2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source
“My delegation would like to highlight in particular paragraphs 13 and 16 of resolution 1612 (2005), which targets certain activities such as the illicit movement of small arms, the illicit trade in natural resources and other destabilizing cross- border activities. The Council should also take into greater account the obvious correlation between the social problems of children and young people and the proliferation of internal armed conflicts, and it should also take steps to find better ways of preventing and resolving them. However, beyond a sectorial approach - which is, of course, important - the Council's action would be more effective if the United Nations were to develop a comprehensive conflict-prevention strategy, as called for by heads of State and Government meeting at the September 2005 summit.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In addition to the steps taken to demobilize child soldiers and to rehabilitate them and reintegrate them into their communities, the question of the violence and sexual exploitation experienced by children and young women merits particular attention. The heinous crimes committed against them should motivate the Council to contemplate coercive measures of deterrence to prevent violations of the rights of children. Increased cooperation with the International Criminal Court would contribute to the credibility of the Council's determination to put an end to impunity in that area. The Council should also strengthen its action regarding related factors that have an impact on the situation of children and young people in terms of international peace and security.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Council must do everything in its power to determine ways and means of helping to resolve the specific problems identified by the mechanism's local and international partnerships. In that regard, we should focus in a sustained manner on measures that could be taken to give the mechanism's local partnerships the means that they need to ensure the rapid reporting of information on violations and to come to the assistance of the children concerned; to speed up the reaction of the relevant authorities with respect to actions to be taken to put an end to the reported violations and to allow for the prosecution of the perpetrators; and to increase the level of protection of the mechanism's local partnerships so as to shield them from reprisals.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We strongly hope that it will be expanded, within the set time frames, to all countries affected by this phenomenon. We call on all countries directly concerned to associate themselves with the efforts being made by the Security Council and the international community in this area. The work of the Security Council has, fortunately, been supplemented by considerable efforts on the part of international civil society and non- governmental organizations, many of which are working to implement resolution 1612 (2005). Their operational activities in the countries concerned strengthen the mechanism on the ground by helping to promote the coordination of national monitoring and reporting networks. Thanks to civil society and to non-governmental organizations, the Security Council can now focus its attention on the most remote villages.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The international community's combat against the phenomenon of the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts is now reflected in a wide-ranging mobilization and in increased pressure on the parties concerned so as to induce them to abide by international norms for the protection of children in armed conflict, by motivating them to make concrete efforts to put an end to violations of all aspects of the rights of children. My delegation is particularly pleased at the creativity shown by the Council in operationalizing the Working Group in a manner that guarantees the mechanism's universality. Benin attaches great importance to this principle. We are truly pleased to note the spontaneous commitment of a number of countries that are not on the Council's agenda to cooperate voluntarily with the mechanism.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The mechanism is now operational and is being strengthened thanks to the joint efforts of Council members and of the new Under-Secretary- General and Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy. We commend her for her vigorous efforts, and we would recall also those made by her illustrious predecessor, Mr. Olara Otunnu - a staunch defender of the cause of children in armed conflict. We also welcome the contributions of other agencies of the United Nations family that are actively participating in the implementation of the mechanism.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): Allow me at the outset, Mr. President, to tell you how pleased we are to be participating in this open debate of the Security Council, convened by your country as part of your presidency. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations. Last year our two delegations worked very hard together to bring to a successful conclusion the difficult negotiations on resolution 1612 (2005), which established a monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict. We express our deep appreciation to Ambassador de La Sabliere, in his capacity as Chairman of the Working Group on children and armed conflict, as well as to the other members of the Council for the significant progress made in the implementation of the resolution.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): Benin voted in favour of resolution 1645 (2005), on the Peacebuilding Commission. We did so because we support that body and that resolution in both spirit and letter. However, we deem it inappropriate for the resolution to have been submitted under the current agenda item title. My delegation believes that the peacebuilding commission is designed both to prevent conflicts and to address post-conflict issues. We therefore feel that the title of this agenda item may prejudice the implementation of paragraph 12 (c) of the resolution.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5335 (2005) · source
“As the Mission draws down, my delegation, through me, pays tribute to the troop-contributing countries for their precious contribution to peacekeeping in Sierra Leone and the stability of West Africa. I take this opportunity to honour the memory of the peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in their commitment to peace in Sierra Leone. All of West Africa will cherish their memory from generation to generation.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5334 (2005) · source
“We urge the international community to strengthen its support for Sierra Leone, particularly by increasing the resources available to the country, given the reduction in post-conflict humanitarian assistance and the high rate of poverty throughout the country. Efforts should be made to reduce that poverty by enhancing the Government's capacity to provide the people with the basic social services necessary to an improved quality of life. In that regard, the consolidation of the achievements made requires increased attention to the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to improving the human rights situation. In conclusion, we pay tribute to the staff of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone for their invaluable contribution to the country's recovery.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5334 (2005) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission should follow very closely the work of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone. We hope that it will spare no effort in helping Sierra Leone to remain on the path of peace. From that perspective, we support the recommendations of the Secretary-General concerning various areas of activity in which an ongoing effort must be made to consolidate achievements. We call on the political class of Sierra Leone fully to shoulder its responsibility to overcome the difficulties surrounding the upcoming elections, which will be a real challenge to the maintenance of peace and security throughout the country.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5334 (2005) · source
“The persistence of those threats certainly cannot be blamed on UNAMSIL, but they must be highlighted as representing a limit to what the international community can do in terms of peace and security. The situation should prompt us to rethink the mandates of peacekeeping operations and to reassess the exit strategies established for their draw-down. We need to learn every possible lesson from this experience. We believe that peacekeeping operations should be endowed with a clear mandate to address and eradicate the roots of conflicts in countries where they are deployed in order to establish solid bases for subsequent peaceful development. We are convinced that the creation of the Peacebuilding Commission will make it possible to address, with equal attention, the underlying causes of conflicts and the violence and chaos they entail.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5334 (2005) · source