UN General Assembly
1994

The United Nations has a particular significance for small and medium-sized States - in other words, the majority of countries. These States suffer first when instability and mutual distrust take root in the world. In an anarchic world, guided only by an ad hoc order, small States are the first to fall victim to larger interests. Small States experience with considerable pain the negative side-effects of global changes; they are the true front-line States. We have only to look at the front pages of the world’s newspapers. Bosnia, Rwanda, Tajikistan - all of these are small States struggling with tragic historical legacies. At the same time, if there exist guarantees for their security, small States develop rapidly and bring their own contributions to the international community. I firmly adhere to my remarks, made a year ago in this Hall, that "the future of a more integrated world lies in democracy and the individuality of free nations." (Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty- eighth Session, Plenary Meetings, 7th meeting, p. 14)