New York, 25 August 2010

Statement by H.E. Mr. Ivan Barbalić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations
at the UN Security Council Debate
on The situation in Somalia
Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to Security Council resolution 1918
(2010) (S/2010/394)

Allow me to thank the Russian presidency for having convened this important debate. It is a pleasure to welcome the new representative of Japan. Let me also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his report (S/2010/394) and briefing on this important issue, as well as Under-Secretary-General Patricia O’Brien for her valuable contribution. We also welcome the presence of Ambassador Elmi Ahmed Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations.

Let me express our strong support for the presidential statement just adopted (S/PRST/2010/16).

We also align ourselves with the statement to be delivered later on behalf of the European Union.

We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in Mogadishu and to the people and Government of Somalia. This tragic event provides additional proof of how delicate and complex the struggle for stability in Somalia is. The toll of victims on the front line obliges us to redouble our efforts and to work together for a better future for the Somali people.

Bosnia and Herzegovina also wishes to join the Secretary-General and other delegations in expressing its deep sorrow and shock in regard to the tragic information from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We strongly condemn the reported crimes and join the call to fight and end impunity in this regard.

Bosnia and Herzegovina remains deeply concerned by piracy off the coast of Somalia, which poses a threat to international peace and security in the region and to international navigation and the safety of commercial maritime routes. These acts are illegal and cannot be tolerated.

We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on possible options to further the aim of prosecuting and imprisoning persons responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia (S/2010/394). We look forward to the outcome of this debate and to its long-term impact.

Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterates its full support to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the ongoing Djibouti peace process. We share the view of other delegations that the measures to build the capacity of the State institutions in Somalia, in addition to the reinforcement of sovereignty, will significantly contribute to the eradication of the piracy off the coast of Somalia that negatively affects the entire region and beyond.

We must bear in mind that a long-term solution can be achieved only through fighting the root causes of the piracy off the coast of Somalia. Thus, Somali institutions and jurisdiction should benefit from the option considered the most adequate and effective.

We welcome the intention of the Secretary-General to appoint a special adviser on legal issues related to piracy off the coast of Somalia. We also recognize and emphasize articles 100, 101 and 105 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework applicable to combating piracy.

The engagement of States, in particular Kenya and Seychelles, and their role in piracy prosecutions are commendable. We encourage States to continue those ongoing efforts, which contribute to peace and stability in the region.

We commend the efforts of the European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Coalition Maritime Forces and of States acting in their national capacities, in cooperation with the TFG, other States in the region and each other, to suppress piracy and to protect vessels transiting through the waters off the coast of Somalia. Furthermore, we commend the African Union and the troops of the African Union Mission in Somalia for their important role and hard work in stabilizing the situation in Somalia.

An important aspect of fighting piracy is the imprisonment of convicted pirates. Recent trials have shown that the sentences may be lengthy. We commend the work of the United Nations offices in the region, especially assistance and capacity-building programmes run by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in cooperation with the European Union in Kenya, Seychelles and Somalia. Prison reform and construction of infrastructure are essential.

Establishment of the International Trust Fund with the purpose of supporting adequate measures against piracy is important, and we encourage all States to continue logistic and financial support. We believe the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, with its four supporting Working Groups, is an effective international cooperation mechanism on all aspects of the fight against piracy. We encourage the Group to continue its engagement.

In conclusion, we remain hopeful that fighting the root causes of piracy will give results in the near future through local, regional and international efforts by establishing the rule of law and effective governance, as well as by creating new employment and economic opportunities for the Somali people.
 
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