UN General Assembly
1992

we saw democracy and its twin principle, freedom, gaining ground throughout the world and consolidating its presence in countries where totalitarianism had long held sway. In welcoming new members to the community of free nations, the Greek Government expressed the hope that the post-cold-war world would be based on the principles of democracy and freedom, on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and on the rule of law. That hope was expressed a year ago. Can we now, a year later, ascertain the extent to which it has been met? Admittedly, a year's time is too short to allow a conclusive judgement, but the events of the last 12 months offer some evidence of the direction in which the world is moving. And, I must say, the evidence available is not as encouraging as our expectations were. In fact, we have witnessed developments that threaten the fragile positive trends we had begun to see. We have seen peoples that gained their freedom and independence taking the path of nationalism. Signs abound that we are