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Statement by H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa at the Security Council Debate under item : New York, 22 October 2007 Mr. President, At the outset, I wish to thank the Principal Deputy SRSG, Mr. Abou Moussa, for his briefing and to the Secretary-General for his report on the situation in Cote d'Ivoire and the activities of UNOCI. We also thank H.E. Mr. Djibril Bassole, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, as the representative of the facilitator of the Peace Agreement, President Blaise Compaore, for his statement on the development of the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire. Mr. President, We are mindful of the positive political atmosphere that has been present in Cote d’Ivoire since the signing of the Ougadougou Agreement. However, we are discouraged somewhat by the possible implications of lapses in the timelines for the implementation of the important tasks as identified in the Agreement. This include disarmament and dismantling of militias, the disarmament of combatants, the identification of the population, the restoration of State authority throughout the country, the preparation of voters’ register, the unification of the armed forces and respect for human rights. We recognize the importance of the requisite planning, financial and logistical needs to ensure an accelerated and sustained implementation of the Agreement. Continued international support for capacity building, including its timely channeling, therefore, is essential. However, it is important to underline the special responsibility of the Government of Cote d’Ivoire itself in giving added impetus to the implementation of the Ougadougou Agreement. Mr. President, Key to progress in the implementation of the Agreement is a secure security situation. We are encouraged to note the Secretary General’s assessment that the country has remained generally calm since the signing of the Agreement in March 2007. At the same time, we are mindful of the continued fragile nature of the security situation as evidenced, inter alia, by the 29 June 2007 incident and the situation in the north of the country. We commend the efforts by President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Soro in overcoming any attempts to disrupt the peace process. Continued international support in enhancing the security conditions through UNOCI is critical. Mr. President, Allow me to turn to two additional specific issues. My delegation is deeply troubled by reports trafficking of children for labor and prostitution; as part of the growing problem of human trafficking for forced prostitution and labour in the country. Support for enhancement of national capacity to deal with these issues should be a priority. We also deem it important that issues of conduct of personnel and discipline of the UNOCI mission, as mentioned in the report, be fully addressed.
We concur with the view of the Secretary-General that, since progress on the two key benchmarks to review the mandate and troop levels of UNOCI has not yet been met, we should maintain current troop levels. However, we understand that the draw-down would be started as the situation in the country improves. We are looking forward for further recommendations from the Secretary-General on his next report, to be issued on January 2008. Finally, Mr. President, we are consistent in the view that the United Nations must remain closely engaged with and supportive of the people and Government of Cote d'Ivoire in their difficult journey toward a peaceful and prosperous country. I thank you.
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