Statement by Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, at the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.New York, 10 March 2008
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to convey the Cuban delegation’s congratulations for your election as Chairman of the Committee which I make extensive to the Bureau members. I would like to assure you that you can count on our delegation’s support during the Committee’s works. We also thank the Secretariat for the presentation of the Report contained in document A/62/627 and its supplementary matrix contained in document A/62/627/Add.1.
Cuba associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Mr. Chairman,
Peacekeeping operations have become the most resource-consuming activity in the United Nations and are one of the main instruments that the Organization uses to fulfill one of the purposes it was created for, to keep international peace and security.
Peacekeeping operations are not only increasing quantitatively – there are already 17 Operations with more than 100 000 troops on the ground –but they are increasingly more multidimensional and complex.
Cuba reiterates that the establishment of new and more complex peacekeeping operations cannot be a substitute for the addressing and resolution of the most serious causes of conflicts. Such operations cannot be an end by themselves, but rather a temporary measure to create a security framework that allows implementing a long-term strategy for sustainable economic and social development. Otherwise, it will be impossible to overcome the vicious circle of new conflicts and operations, along with the high human and material costs it implies.
Mr. Chairman,
Amidst the current situation of the peacekeeping operations, the role of this Special Committee becomes especially relevant, as the only UN forum that has been entrusted with the comprehensive review of these questions, including steps aimed to improving the Organization’s capacity to lead the operations.
Cuba reiterates that the peacekeeping operations must strictly observe the purposes and principles of the Charter, particularly those relative to respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the States, as well as the non-interference in the internal affairs of the States.
Moreover, it is essential to respect the basic principles to establish and lead the peacekeeping operations, such as the consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force, except in self-defense.
The operations must have clearly defined and realistic mandates, as well as concrete objectives and the necessary resources for their deployment and implementation.
In this same regard, before their authorization and deployment, it is essential for the operations to have a clear exit strategy.
Mr. Chairman,
Cuba endorsed the Secretary-General’s proposal to restructure the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and will support all efforts to improve the Organization’s capacity to manage peacekeeping operations in an effective and efficient manner, on the basis of the strict respect for the aforementioned principles.
In his report to the C-34, the Secretary-General acknowledges that completing both Departments’ restructuring and continuing more comprehensive reforms and the strengthening of UN peacekeeping are two of the three major challenges facing the Organization for peacekeeping.
We hope that the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Support in the field and the restructuring process in general allow addressing effectively the important challenges in peacekeeping operations matters, particularly concerning the coordination and integration between the departments in emergency situations, the unity of command and other aspects.
Mr. Chairman,
We are concerned at the use of terminology that is not well defined in the Report. For example, the terms “peacekeeping operations” and “peace operations” are used without distinction. As per the use of the term “peace operations” instead of “peacekeeping operations”, my delegation considers that the scope and implications of such term must be well defined, so that the Secretary-General’s proposals do not leave room for any doubt or misinterpretation.
Mr. Chairman,
We welcome the fact that the Committee has been able to reach an agreement on the draft Memorandum of Understanding between troop contributing countries and the Secretariat, and hope that that the Secretariat can complete the review of the Memorandums on the basis of what it was agreed within the framework of the C-34, which includes, inter alia, the rules of conduct of the United Nations applicable to the personnel contributed by the Governments in cases of stated exploitation and sexual abuse.
Cuba reiterates the importance to uphold the zero-tolerance policy when addressing all cases of exploitation and sexual abuse committed by peacekeeping personnel.
Likewise, we welcome the fact that the special open-ended Working Group for the assistance and support to the victims of exploitation and sexual abuse could complete the UN comprehensive strategy for the assistance and support to the victims of exploitation and sexual abuse committed by peacekeeping personnel.
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation studied with interest the report submitted by the Secretary-General on the Reform of the Security Sector, based on a mandate of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations last year; and I would like to add some comments.
The report exceeds the scope and mandate of the C-34. It is necessary to define the UN’s role in this process, in a much broader format, through an intergovernmental, inclusive and transparent process. Furthermore, the concept of reform of the Security Sector that is stated and the players partaking in said process must be clearly defined by the Member States.
The report must not constitute the base for future deliberations. It would be necessary to reformulate some definitions, such as the basic principles for the UN to address the reform of the security sector, the regulating role and coherent approach of the Organization for the reform of the security sector. It is not clear how the follow-up, assessment and review of the progress made in the reform will be carried out.
Mr. Chairman,
We recognize the value of regional arrangements for peacekeeping operations. However, we reiterate that such arrangements must be in full agreement with Chapter VIII of the Charter; hence they are not to supplant the UN’s role or disregard the strict implementation of the basic principles of the UN peacekeeping operations.
Mr. Chairman, I reiterate the Cuban delegation’s utmost willingness to contribute in all possible ways to the success of the Special Committee’s works. You can count on our support in advance.
Thank you very much.