Internationally, we usually think alike. For example, Canada helped to open the United Nations to newly independent countries in the 1950s, and we worked hard for majority rule in South Africa. Recently, African countries strongly supported the recent Canadian initiative to ban land mines. And Canada applauds the West African initiative, promoted by Mali, to control the spread of small arms and thereby strengthen peace and security. Today, Canada seeks to promote not only peace between nations, but human security within states.
Refugees migrate by the millions.
Weapons proliferate, and violent conflicts force young people to fight and die for the quarrels of their elders. These border-crossing threats call for a concerted response. Canada wants to enhance human and personal security. We will pursue this goal during our term on the U.N. Security Council, and we thank the many African countries who supported our accession. And we are finding in Africa not only allies but good examples.