New York, 19 May 2010

Statement by H.E. Mr. Ivan Barbalic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations
at the UN Security Council Debate
on Peace and security in Africa-Horn of Africa

I should like to welcome and thank His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, for his presence and for his statement to the Council. We appreciate the constructive role played by Djibouti in the region and applaud President Guelleh’s personal efforts in that regard.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is concerned about violations of the sanctions regime, which are mentioned in the report of the Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group, transmitted by a letter dated 10 March 2010 (see S/2010/91). In that respect, we would like to pay tribute to Ambassador Heller for his hard work as Chairman of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea. We hope that his recent visit to the region will have concrete effects.

We were also concerned as we listened to the statement of President Guelleh; we understand the call for urgent and firm involvement of all stakeholders that can contribute to the common aim of achieving peace and security in the region of the Horn of Africa.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been consistent in its position that international conflicts, including those originating from border disputes, should be resolved by peaceful means and in compliance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. In that regard, we welcome all efforts by the United Nations and by regional organizations, in particular the African Union and the League of Arab States, to try to help the parties de-escalate tension and move towards a peaceful solution to the crisis. We sincerely hope that those efforts will be honestly and wholeheartedly accepted by all parties.

On the situation in Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterates its full support for the Transitional Federal Government and for the Djibouti peace process, which depends not only on internal factors but also on sincere cooperation by the countries of the region. We call on all parties concerned to genuinely respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and to make a greater contribution to peace and security in that country.

With grave concern, Bosnia and Herzegovina shares the position expressed by other Council members with regard to the fight against piracy: that a long-term solution will come about only through the rule of law and the establishment of security on the ground.

Finally, allow us to express our best hopes for a successful outcome of the upcoming Istanbul Conference on  Somalia, an outcome that will foster stability, security and the reconstruction of the country.
 
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