UN General Assembly
1992

necessary, be protected by military force against those who violate it. This is also a lesson from a past that was, for us Germans in particular, a disastrous one. This is anchored in the United Nations Charter. Germany's contribution to international stability will continue to focus on peacemaking, through economic cooperation, protection of human rights, humanitarian aid, and international measures to protect the environment. However, we must also establish the constitutional basis to enable us to make our armed forces available to the United Nations, with the approval of Parliament, for peace-keeping and peacemaking assignments. As a reunited and sovereign country we must assume all the rights and obligations of a Member of the United Nations to avoid any discrepancy between our verbal commitment to peace and human rights and our active involvement in their defence. The Government and the Parliament of my country will not forget that our history commands us to show particular restraint and judgment; but, while remaining aware of the past, we must derive the strength and courage to find a better future.