UN General Assembly
2006

I congratulate you, Madam President, and wish you the greatest success in this session. Four years ago I attended this global forum for the first time to announce that Colombia was beginning an era of democratic security. I explained why security in our time is a democratic value without which freedoms cannot prosper; it is also a centre of resources, in whose absence investment does not flow and the possibility of eliminating poverty and building equality remains elusive. 06-52988 6 Four years ago I explained to the Assembly why our concept of security is democratic and thus deserves the support and confidence of all peoples and of the United Nations. I am aware that I could not address the Assembly today to propose a theory of democratic security; having been President of my country for four years, I feel compelled to present the results of this policy. Colombia has held four general elections and countless local elections over this period. The referendum and the election of mayors and governors in 2003 were events that tested our democratic meaning of security.