United Nations (New York)
7 October 2008
(Page 3 of 4)
ROSEMARY DI CARLO ( United States ) welcomed the fact that the electoral process remained on track and hoped the elections would be transparent and that disputes would be resolved according to the law and the Constitution. She was concerned, however, that progress achieved towards democratic development would prove unsustainable because of the increasing drug trade. She was also deeply concerned about a Venezuelan plane that had arrived in Guinea-Bissau and landed without any notice, as described in the Secretary-General's report. Military personnel had unloaded the unknown cargo. She called upon the Government to give a full account of the actions. She applauded the upcoming ECOWAS conference on drug trafficking, but emphasized that Guinea-Bissau must take a strong leadership position in combating the activity. Some progress had been made towards economic growth, but the impact of drug trafficking and political tensions would stall economic development, she said.
JAN GRAULS ( Belgium ) congratulated all those involved in the adoption of the Peacebuilding Framework for Guinea-Bissau, but stressed it was necessary to have tangible indicators for concrete progress. He welcomed upcoming steps in that regard. On the question of elections, he said it was important that the Government respected the wishes of the legislature and the election timetable. He expressed concern over the scale of illicit drug trafficking, and expressed readiness to consider all proposals that would include prosecution for all those responsible and would enhance justice in the country. It was correct to deal with the problem on the subregional level, he said, supporting the upcoming regional conference on the issue. Following the elections, any changes necessary in the mandate of the Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau should also be considered.
GUILIO TERZI ( Italy ) commended Guinea-Bissau and all its partners for the progress that had been made in the country towards development and stability, while sharing concerns over drug trafficking. On that issue, he said, the Council should take strong action and consider forming the expert panel recommended by the Secretary-General. Such action should be seen only as increasing the Council's understanding of the matter, and not an attempt to impinge on the sovereignty of the country. The creation of such a mechanism should not replace concrete action on the ground, for the strengthening of the security and judicial sectors in the country. The upcoming conference in Cape Verde would be crucial to bolster the regional machinery in that regard.
KONSTANTIN DOLGOV ( Russian Federation ) said he was concerned at the Secretary-General's assessment that Guinea-Bissau had become a center for drugs trade and asked in that regard how the operative plan adopted by the Government and the United Nations Drugs Office to combat illicit drugs was progressing. He further asked what would be the mandate and the modalities of the proposed expert panel of the Council to establish the identity of those involved in the illicit drug trade and in organized crime.
He suggested that, given limited progress achieved by the Government and the Drugs Office, introducing a sanctions regime at this stage would not be effective. To achieve real progress, he said, it was necessary to support the institutional capacity of the law enforcement institutions and to support regional organizations such as ECOWAS. Commending the work of the Peacebuilding Commission and the adoption of a Framework, he said the slow progress in projects funded by the Peacebuilding Fund was a matter of concern. Further funding would require closer analysis and justification.
MARTY M. NATALEGAWA ( Indonesia ) said the upcoming election of 16 November was an important landmark, and the international community must therefore continue its sustained assistance to Guinea-Bissau. The Strategic Framework contained a nationally-owned process and would raise awareness, promote peacebuilding initiatives and generate new partnerships between the Government and international actors. He was concerned, however, that Guinea-Bissau was becoming a major market place in drug trading. The country should build on the December 2007 Lisbon international conference on drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau. A comprehensive approach was needed.
He said he welcomed the convening of a regional conference by ECOWAS on combating drug trafficking. Close cooperation of neighbouring countries offered the potential to deal with the menace, he said.
Drug trafficking and organized crime should also be recognized as unintended products of the lack of progress in institutional and economic development. The international community was called upon to lend its full support to the efforts of the Government of Guinea-Bissau in strengthening its legal, law enforcement and judicial institutions. Punitive and targeted Council sanctions might not necessarily offer the optimum long-term solution to the problem and might have the unintended impact of reversing the gains in the post-conflict peace consolidation achieved so far.
VICE SKRACIC ( Croatia ) said he was encouraged by progress in Guinea-Bissau, but remained concerned by continuing tensions. Welcoming preparations for elections, he said it was important that result of those elections be accepted by all sectors, and that the polls were conducted in a timely manner. He commended the contributions of the international community to the elections, as well as to the security sector. Expressing concern over illicit drug trafficking, he said he strongly supported decisive action against those involved and welcomed the establishment of a panel of experts, the holding of the regional conference and other actions.
NICOLAS RIVIERE ( France ) said that, because of the fragility of the political climate in Guinea-Bissau, much attention needed to be paid to the conduct of the elections, particularly the role of the media. In regard to drug trafficking, he stressed the regional aspect of the problem and requested more information on the proposed expert panel and its role in strengthening the justice and security sectors. He said he also asked the Government to continue its work in those areas. He was pleased with the adoption of the Peacebuilding Framework and asked the Peacebuilding Commission to keep the Council informed of developments in the area.
DUMISANI KUMALO ( South Africa ) welcomed the fact that recent political developments, including reports of an attempted coup d'état, had not erupted into any political violence or instability. That positive sign boded well for the legislative elections for 16 November. He also welcomed the ongoing security sector reform, but was deeply concerned at the continued reports of drug trafficking and organized crime. However, he added, the creation of an expert panel was not the answer to the problem; what was needed was a strong Government with strong law enforcement so that the country could deal with the issues. An expert group would not do more than divert the country from strengthening its institutions of law and order. The support of the international community in building and strengthening the capacity of local law enforcement and judicial authorities in dealing with that challenge would remain critical.
He said a further challenge to the Government was that of rising fuel and food prices that had led to salary arrears, which presented a serious challenge to political stability. He therefore recommended budget support from the World Bank, the West African Monetary Union and the Central Bank of West Africa. The work of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund and the international community in addressing governance, security and economic challenges would begin to lay the foundations for sustainable peace and prosperity in Guinea-Bissau. South Africa would, among other things, continue to work with its partners India and Brazil in assisting the country in the area of agriculture through the India-Brazil-South Africa Trust Fund.
GIADALLA A. ETTALHI ( Libya ), commending efforts of the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the international community for the progress achieved, said many indicators still caused concern, including the deepening of political crisis, the coup attempt, the spread of organized crime and impunity, as well as the decline in economic growth and an increase in prices for basic commodities. He was, however, hopeful that the Peacebuilding Commission and the Government would achieve progress through the integrated Strategic Framework.
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