Statement by Ambassador at the UN Security Council
meeting on Yemen.
"Thank you, President, and I would like to start by thanking
Special Envoy Grundberg, Director Worsornu and Ms Amat Al-Salam
for their briefings.
I would also like to join others in condemning the murder of WFP
staff member Moayad Hameidi, and echo briefers’ condolences to
his family and his friends.
I also want to join others in congratulating the United Nations,
the Dutch Salvage company, SMIT, and all who were involved in the
successful transfer of oil from the SAFER tanker to the Yemen.
The successful completion of this operation demonstrates what can
be achieved when all actors work together in the interests of
Yemen and its people.
Taking encouragement from the achievement, the UK urges all
parties to work together to build on the truce-like conditions in
Yemen and pave the way for a UN-led Yemeni-Yemeni peace process.
In particular, it is essential that the Presidential Leadership
Council remain united towards one common goal: a lasting and
inclusive peace for the Yemeni people. An inclusive peace process
under UN auspices is the only pathway to end permanently this
war.
Madam President, Houthi attacks and continued threats to prevent
oil exports from Government controlled areas are severely
impacting Yemen’s economy. These attacks on the economy are
attacks on the livelihoods and services for some of the most
vulnerable people in Yemen. And we urge the Houthis to stop these
attacks.
The UK welcomes the recent deposit of $250 million from Saudi
Arabia, as the first tranche of a generous $1.2 billion pledge of
economic support.
As Director Worsornu said, the Government of Yemen will remain
dependent on external financing to provide basic services and pay
public salaries until the Houthis stop their economic warfare and
the Government can generate its own revenues.
Colleagues, in spite of the relative peace in Yemen over the last
18 months, the humanitarian situation remains dire. We continue
to see impediments to the free movement of female aid workers to
deliver assistance to women in need; to independent monitoring
and assessment missions; and to the fair selection of
humanitarian service providers. The humanitarian response is
already severely underfunded. These impediments pose additional,
and entirely avoidable, burdens on the humanitarian effort and
ultimately on the Yemeni people. We urge the Houthis to lift
restrictions and allow unfettered access of humanitarian aid.
Finally, President, the UK reiterates its call for the
unconditional release of all Baha’i’s detained by the Houthis.
Thank you."
