Statement by H.E. Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

Statement after the vote (MINURSO)

29 April 2016

 

Mr. President,

 

Let me begin by emphasizing the critical role that the United Nations plays under the leadership of the Secretary General, his Special Envoy and Head of Mission, in maintaining peace and security, as well as promoting mutual trust and achieving a political solution in Western Sahara.

 

On the ground, personnel of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) carry out important tasks mandated by our Council.

 

MINURSO has managed to continue operations with limited capacity after the departure of its 73 personnel on 20 March.

 

This has been possible owing to the dedicated efforts of the remaining personnel of MINURSO, whom I wish to commend. 

 

Mr. President,

 

On 24 March, the members of the Security Council expressed serious concerns about developments related to Western Sahara and stressed the importance of addressing the situation so that MINURSO might resume its full capacity to carry out its mandate.

 

The members also recalled that peacekeeping operations and other missions are deployed by the Council to carry out critical tasks around the world to maintain international peace and security.

 

Given that the mandate of MINURSO was due to expire on 30 April, many member states, including Japan, made utmost efforts to address the situation.

 

It was a matter of priority for the Council to extend the mandate of this mission by tomorrow.

 

At the same time, it was also necessary to ensure that MINURSO “return to full functionality” as a matter of “urgency”. 

 

Mr. President,

 

We voted in favor of the resolution because it provides the answer to these priorities.

 

I would like to express our appreciation to the penholder, the United States, for its efforts in preparing the resolution.

 

A return to full functionality, in our view, should include on-site political reporting capabilities so that MINURSO may fully carry out its mandate contained in the relevant Security Council Resolutions, including the one we have just adopted.

 

In this resolution, the Council requests to be briefed within 90 days. 

 

But this does not mean that we should wait 90 days to take action.  

 

Rather, in light of the urgency, efforts should be made to recover full functionality in an expeditious manner.

 

It is the responsibility of this Council to make sure that its resolutions, including this one, are fully implemented.  

 

We look to the Kingdom of Morocco, an important member of the international community, to continue its utmost efforts to improve the situation in cooperation with the United Nations.

 

Japan stands ready to assist such efforts in any way it can.

 

Mr. President,

 

I would like to close my statement by reiterating the need of continued adherence to the cease fire and the importance of the continuation of negotiations towards a long overdue political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.