Ministar savjetnik RH pri Ujedinjenim narodima Vice Skracic održao je govor u Vijecu sigurnosti UN-a o stanju u Sierra Leoneu.
Mr. President, I would like to thank Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg for his briefing as well as Foreign Minister Bangura of Sierra Leone and Canadian Ambassador McNee for their useful insights.
At the onset allow me to express the deep concern of my delegation with regard to the political disturbances in Sierra Leone during the month of March. Croatia strongly condemns any attempt to resolve political divergences by resorting to force and violence.
At the same time, and as stated in the report of the Secretary General, “the recent disturbances, although having the potential to evolve into full-blown conflict”, were swiftly and determinedly terminated. This fact undoubtedly testifies to the political wisdom and personal courage of the leaders and people of Sierra Leone as well as their strong determination to overcome potential disaster and continue on the path towards peace and stability.
In that context we welcome the signing of a joint communiqué on 2 April by the two key political parties in the presence of all relevant political stakeholders, and the role of UNIPSIL in helping bring this together, which cemented Sierra Leone's return to the track of democracy and peace. We also welcome the anticipated intention of the third largest political party to adhere to the agreements contained in the communiqué as well as the joint pronouncement made by youth groups affiliated with major political parties of their intention to work towards political stabilization and lasting peace.
Croatia finds particularly important the agreements reached between the major political parties regarding bipartisan consensus on important national institutions and policies, such as the police and the judiciary, electoral commission reintegration of ex-combatants and other important issues. We also welcome the first signs of national reconciliation and political rapprochement as direct consequences of the abovementioned agreements.
We commend the concrete steps undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone to combat the trafficking of illicit drugs, in particular the formation of the Joint Drug Interdiction Task Force. In the same vein, we encourage the Government to continue its fight against corruption as announced in the National Agenda for Change.
We commend the Government for economic and structural reforms undertaken, as testified by the International Monetary Fund during its last visit to the country. We hope that the Government will continue to seriously tackle the many burning economic and social issues before it, including youth unemployment and underemployment and corruption.
Croatia condemns the practice of genital mutilation to which, according to WHO, nearly 94 % of all girls in Sierra Leone are subjected, and expresses its concern regarding the ongoing practice of sexual violence.
We note with satisfaction the fact that the Government has finally put into place the machinery for implementing the reparations program as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Croatia welcomes the completion of political and development benchmarks for each of the five priority areas within the peace building efforts of the UN system contained in the Joint Vision. We also welcome further implementation of the joint Vision Strategy through opening of the two regional offices as well as the subsequent announced creation of another six regional field offices aimed at achieving more substantial outreach and enhancing the work of development partners.
Finally, Croatia is looking forward to the special session of the Peace Building Commission to be held on 10 June, in which the Agenda for Change and peace building strategy of the UN should be fully endorsed and supported.
Priopćenja
