I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European
Community and its member States.
Allow me, first of all, Mr. President, to pay a tribute to
your predecessor, Mr. Stoyan Ganev, who conducted the
General Assembly’s proceedings during its forty-seventh
session.
The Assembly has unanimously decided to entrust to
you, Sir, the conduct of this the forty-eighth session. We
welcome that decision as we are familiar with your personal
qualities and your professional experience. We also see this
as a well-earned tribute to your country, the Republic of
Guyana, and to the contribution made by the Caribbean
region to the activities of our Organization. The European
Community and its member States, which continue to enjoy
fruitful relations with the countries of the Caribbean, within
10 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
the dynamic framework of the Lomé Convention, assure you
of their fullest cooperation.
We welcome also the admission to our Organization of
the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Eritrea, the
Principality of Monaco, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia and the Principality of Andorra.
In his address to the Assembly last year, my British
colleague, Mr. Douglas Hurd, made the point that, after a
brief interlude of optimism, the world had entered a period
of instability and of challenges to law and order. This trend
has increased over the past 12 months. We now have to
cope with new crisis situations, while - speaking only about
Europe - a just and lasting solution to such a long-standing
problem as that of Cyprus has yet to be found, despite the
continued efforts of our Organization.
Long restrained by the so-called balance of terror, latent
antagonisms have resurfaced in the Balkans, the Caucasus
and Central Asia. The collapse of the old institutional
frameworks has led to the emergence of forms of rapidly
competing nationalisms. The personal ambitions of certain
rulers and the propaganda machines they control have
plunged clans or whole peoples into conflicts marked by the
blind use of violence. In that process, the basic rights of the
individual and the elementary rules of international
humanitarian law have been constantly flouted.
In other countries, the economic and social crisis has
continued to provide fertile ground for religious
fundamentalism, enabling it to increase the number both of
its followers and of its victims. Elsewhere, the existence of
a large immigrant population has served as a pretext for
reactions of racial intolerance, which have even led to
deliberate criminal acts. All these forms of fanaticism
designate human beings as the enemy to be destroyed. They
must be fought not only through political declarations and
laws but also through a more sincere and committed
engagement in favour of the human values which should
unite us all across continents and cultures.
The proliferation of these situations has gone hand in
hand with a growing desire to possess weapons of mass
destruction. In this connection, we are concerned by the
actions of Member States of our Organization which have
ample resources, bear regional responsibilities and claim to
be lovers of peace. The proliferation of these weapons
represents a grave threat to both global and regional security
and stability. It is of the utmost importance that the Non-
Proliferation Treaty should be unconditionally extended in
1995 for an indefinite period.
Economic underdevelopment and the unacceptable
living conditions of hundreds of millions of inhabitants of
the planet constitute another major concern for the European
Community and its member States.
The outcome of three decades of development
cooperation cannot be regarded as positive. This means that
all of us, countries of the South and of the North, must take
serious stock of the situation. We know that it is pointless
to speak of peace in the world if we do not at the same time
work towards global economic and social development. The
forthcoming world conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen and
Beijing will be important landmarks in this process.
Our concerns have not blinded us to the important
efforts undertaken in all regions of the world towards
democratization and economic recovery.
The Republics which made up the former Soviet Union
have pursued the immense task of creating a political,
economic and social framework designed to strengthen their
sense of identity as individual nations. We must help these
countries find ways of achieving deep-rooted national
reconciliation while fully respecting each other’s territorial
integrity. The European Community and its member States
will continue to support them substantially through technical
assistance and partnership agreements. They will also
maintain their trade with the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe, in particular through new or strengthened association
agreements.
The European Community and its member States
support President Yeltsin in his efforts to promote economic
and political reform as well as to strengthen democracy in
his country.
It is in Africa that the gap between objectives and
realities remains most discouraging. Two hundred million
people across that continent live in abject poverty. However,
in spite of armed conflicts and acute economic problems,
there are undeniable signs of the dawn of a new political era.
It is of course up to the African people to determine the
pace and practical form of their democratic development.
Some dictators, however, are still clinging to the power they
have long exercised for their own exclusive benefit. Their
armies, for whose services they somehow manage to pay, are
like a weapon permanently aimed at their own people.
Despite appearances, they are now no more than an
anachronistic element of underdevelopment.
South Africa is approaching the historic moment when
the democratic majority of its people will accede to power.
Forty-eighth session - 28 September l993 11
The path leading to this has, alas, been littered with further
massacres and attacks. The European Community and its
member States reiterate their support for the negotiating
process pursued by President Frederik De Klerk and Mr.
Nelson Mandela and appeal to the international community
to assist South Africa in this crucial phase by helping to
organize elections and to rebuild and develop the country.
In Asia, the positive trend of the past few years has
been maintained. On the economic front, the Asian
countries of the Pacific Rim, particularly China, are
characterized by remarkable dynamism. The European
Community and its member States hope that this progress
will swiftly bear positive results for the living and working
conditions of their populations.
Latin America is a continent at peace, continuing its
economic recovery in accordance with the objectives of
democratically elected Governments. In several of these
countries, rapid population growth, social imbalances and
drug-trafficking are, however, still a considerable handicap
in the march towards progress.
More attention has been paid by the authorities to the
indigenous peoples, but certain tragic events have occurred
to remind us of the precarious conditions in which those
peoples live.
The European Community and its member States
welcome the substantially improved prospects for peace and
stability in the Middle East. They hope that following the
recent Israeli-Palestinian agreements new decisive steps will
be taken by Israel and the Arab countries directly concerned
in the Middle East peace process. The recent
Israeli-Jordanian declaration of principles is a positive move
in this direction. We call upon this Assembly to take
account of these major developments when considering the
situation in the Middle East.
The European Community and its member States, in
keeping with their long-standing position, stand ready to
assume, in close coordination with the competent
international institutions, an important part in the general
coordination of the assistance offered by the international
community to the Palestinian people in the occupied
territories. In this connection donor countries will, above all,
have to be guided by criteria of efficiency and speed.
During this difficult period the United Nations has not
been merely a passive onlooker.
The World Conference on Human Rights made it
possible to adopt a Final Declaration which reaffirms and
enriches the universal consensus on the essential respect due
in all circumstances to the human person. The Vienna
Programme of Action provides for a large number of
measures to ensure greater respect for, and promotion of,
such rights throughout the world. The European Community
and its member States will endeavour, from the present
session, to achieve application of these measures, in
particular as regards increased resources for the Centre for
Human Rights and the appointment of a United Nations high
commissioner for human rights.
Active preparations have continued for other world
conferences, on population, social development and the
promotion of women. The follow-up to Rio was ensured by
the first meeting of the Commission on Sustainable
Development, which, from the outset, established a relation
of partnership, which we consider to be highly promising.
The "Agenda for Peace" has been discussed in various
bodies. The warm welcome it has received has been
followed by various practical measures of implementation.
We would, however, like our Assembly to show more
willingness to abandon its reservations regarding certain
types of preventive action which have already been adopted
in practice by the Security Council and the
Secretary-General.
The Organization itself has embarked on and made
progress with a series of restructuring measures. The most
complex is probably the restructuring of the Security
Council, but it is encouraging that this topic is now the
subject of open dialogue.
Pending a reform which would not compromise its
efficiency, the Council has kept up the pace of its activities.
It has given a larger place in practice to the concepts of
preventive diplomacy and cooperation with regional
organizations. The Secretary-General has resolutely backed
this trend both through his numerous visits on the ground or
those of his personal representatives and through the
adjustments he has made within the Secretariat. These have
focused particularly on strengthening the departments
responsible for managing peace-keeping operations. The
indispensable extension of these services has not yet been
completed and will require further assistance from the
Member States. Indeed, there has been an overwhelming
increase in the United Nations operations in this area over
the last few years. They have not simply multiplied: their
objectives have also diversified. In several cases, the
traditional task of peace-keeping has had to be supplemented
12 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
or, initially, replaced by the much more delicate task of
restoring peace.
The Organization has, in the eyes of some, met with
failure in the very difficult situations with which it has had
to cope in the former Yugoslavia and Somalia. The
duplicity of some warlords constitutes a permanent threat of
destabilization.
But, in no circumstances has the international
community chosen to combine humanitarian-aid missions
with peace-restoring missions. The use of force has been
seen only as a last resort in order to come to the help of
people held hostage by self-proclaimed leaders. Our
Organization has consequently been constrained to use,
under certain circumstances, means corresponding to the
provocations it has had to face. We must, however, draw
lessons from the experience acquired through these various
operations.
The breadth and complexity of humanitarian crises
throughout the world also require greater coordination of
humanitarian assistance both during strategic planning of
operations and during their implementation on the ground.
The spirit of perseverance, in compliance with the
Charter and human rights, is more necessary than ever. It
enabled Cambodia to implement the Paris Agreements in
conditions which proved to be very difficult - as indeed they
had promised to be. This represents a great victory for the
Cambodian people as well as a remarkable success for the
United Nations, and was achieved through unprecedented
effort: by numerous Governments, by thousands of officials
and volunteers, and also by large numbers of soldiers,
dozens of whom sacrificed their lives. The European
Community and its member States pay tribute to the "Blue
Helmets" who, frequently killed in cold blood, have been
victims of their duty throughout the world. Their safety, as
well as that of all United Nations staff, must be improved
and the pursuit of their aggressors must be organized more
effectively.
The European Community and its member States are
also convinced of the need to react to the consequences of
the presence of mines resulting from armed conflicts. These
devices claim numerous victims every year amongst the
civilian population and jeopardize the rehabilitation of vast
areas of territory ravaged by war. We ask this Assembly to
consider the draft resolution which we have submitted on
this subject with a view to a more systematic and effective
organization of assistance in mine-clearing. We also
welcome the French initiative of asking the United Nations
Secretary-General to convene a conference to review the
1981 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use
of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed
to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate
Effects.
Thus, the overall picture of activities by the United
Nations and its Members during the last 12 months is far
from disappointing, and I could have listed many other
positive developments. However, when we consider the
difficulties facing us, it is hard to claim categorically that,
whatever happens, the United Nations will be able to meet
the challenges of the future effectively.
The Secretariat’s capacities are being used to the full;
they are no longer sufficient to deal with Member States’
wishes in every case. The Organization’s coffers are empty
or virtually so. The development of new activities is
hampered more and more often by disagreements about the
allocation of costs. Most of the major contributors, who are
seriously affected in their own countries by an unfavourable
economic situation, regard strict budgetary restraint as more
important than ever. The cost of peace-keeping operations
alone will be $3.6 billion for 1993.
In addition to the immediate cash-flow problems, there
is an increasing structural deficit in the balance between the
ability to take multilateral action and ever-increasing requests
for intervention. What can we do to ensure that the United
Nations does not fall victim to its own success? We feel
that finding a solution entails three areas of action.
First, of course, all Member States must pay their
contributions fully and in a timely manner. That is a
fundamental obligation with which the European Community
and its member States never fail to comply. The effort this
requires is neither more nor less than that demanded of other
contributors, be they "big" or "small", for each Member
State is required to make a contribution in line with its
ability to pay. Failure to pay represents a serious breach of
the commitments entered into, and it is all the more
regrettable that certain defaulting countries at the same time
lay claim to a privileged role in the Organization’s debates
and decisions.
Secondly, the various reforms undertaken in order to
improve the operational efficiency of the Organization have
to be pursued with a maximum of determination. We have
in mind in particular the management of the Secretariat, the
control of its expenditures and the forthcoming restructuring
in the economic and social sector. It is unacceptable that the
objectives set could not be met owing to interminable
Forty-eighth session - 28 September l993 13
negotiations or power struggles between senior
administrators.
Thirdly, although the United Nations remains an
intergovernmental body, it is called upon more and more
frequently to fulfil a central government task, with
responsibility for solving each and every problem that may
arise.
In order to cope with this growing tide of demands, the
Secretary-General in his "Agenda for Peace" has quite
rightly stressed the need for cooperation with regional
organizations and arrangements.
But are they ready? Do they exist everywhere? Does
the strengthening of cooperation between the United Nations
and regional organizations offer real prospects if the latter do
not become effective centres of decision and action? We
feel that, without the capacity for swift and ongoing
intervention on a regional scale, preventive diplomacy by our
Organization is a resource which is undoubtedly
indispensable but of limited scope. It will indeed facilitate
successes here and there, but will be insufficient to come to
grips with the most deep-rooted and most threatening
antagonisms. If nothing changes, the danger of entire
countries imploding is real. The situation will channel
multilateral resources more and more into makeshift rescue
and rehabilitation operations, to the detriment of collective
sustainable development objectives.
In this connection the positive effects of an area of
stability such as the European Community no longer need to
be demonstrated. The European Community was inspired at
the start by a profound desire for peacemaking and
reconstruction. The same needs and aspirations are to be
found elsewhere in the world but have not been matched by
a comparable response.
We believe that there is no alternative to the
establishment of such areas in every continent. The resolute
pursuit of regional economic integration is a decisive and
indispensable step in that direction. The benefits of
economies of scale and the free movement of persons and
goods then contribute as much to consolidating peace as to
sharing prosperity. By uniting to form centres of stability
and progress, the participating countries gradually free
themselves of the mounting problems and crises which, at
this time of tremendous change, tend to be more than they
can cope with on their own.
In addition to these areas of stability, it is also
necessary to create or strengthen broader regional
mechanisms, making it possible for a number of subregions
to develop principles of peaceful and prosperous coexistence.
Here, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
can serve, if not as a universal model, at least as a source of
inspiration. Even if its ability to intervene directly is
limited, it constitutes an indispensable platform for dialogue.
When internal or bilateral crises occur, it encourages the
neighbouring countries to show moderation and thus
contributes to limiting the conflict. As respect for common
rules grows, more concrete collective actions can be
envisaged.
These are the essential tools for achieving the threefold
objective which the Secretary-General recommends in his
latest report on the activities of the Organization: peace,
development and democracy.
Already 32 years ago, a young Egyptian jurist declared
at the Academy of International Law:
"To encourage assemblies of States in a world that
is becoming more and more Balkanized, to play
the role of bringing peoples together and to offer
massive and constant aid to underdeveloped
countries: these should be the primary objectives
of the international organization." (Recueil des
cours, Académie de Droit International, La Haye,
1960, II, pp. 69-70)
This jurist is today at the head of our Organization.
To be sure, in all continents regional bodies have
already embarked on this course of action: in the past year
they have contributed, in cooperation with the United
Nations, to crucial mediation and peace-keeping ventures -
but always after the conflict had flared up. Areas of genuine
stability and more reliable regional mechanisms would make
it possible to forestall major crises by reducing their causes.
Regional integration indeed can only help contain the
collective frustrations and anxieties that fuel nationalist
movements. It also provides a formidable incentive for
economic growth and therefore a strategic element in
combating poverty. Finally, regional economic integration,
as it is progressively being built, simply eliminates the
option of war from the thinking of the Governments and
peoples involved.
The disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and its
tragic consequences make it all too clear that the comments
we have just made relate to a course of action that will
prove long and demanding rather than a miracle cure.
14 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
Neither the European Community nor the Conference on
Security and Cooperation in Europe has been able to prevent
the outbreak of the conflict and the subsequent series of
disasters. Like the United Nations and the United States of
America, the European Community and its member States
have consequently been accused of lacking strategy and of
indifference. For the European Community and its
members, one of the lessons to be learned from this
catastrophe is that the deepening of its own internal relations
- more Europe rather than less Europe - would strengthen
the role it must play as an instrument for promoting stability
and peace in Europe and neighbouring areas.
No one can dispute, however, the fact that the European
Community and its member States have endeavoured to
mediate from the earliest days of the conflict. It was the
members of the European Community who, going against
the current, managed to persuade the whole Security Council
to react to the worsening situation. Without compromising
their positions of principle, and despite numerous
disappointments, the member States of the Community have
at no point wearied of their thankless task.
The efforts deployed at the London and Geneva
Conferences bear witness to this. As you are aware, the
European Community and its member States have played a
fundamental role on the ground, particularly through the
activities of their monitors, in the implementation of
sanctions and through their contribution to the United
Nations Protection Force and to measures to help the victims
of the civil war.
The European Community and its member States also
reiterate their readiness to participate in the implementation
of a peace plan accepted by all the parties.
The Treaty of Maastricht on the European Union should
provide us with the means of strengthening the Union’s
ability to act in the world, in particular by implementing the
common foreign and security policy. Once it has entered
into force - which should happen in the next few days - that
Treaty will enable the European Union to play an enhanced
role in all areas of international policy and security and will
establish close working relations between the European
Union and the Western European Union. Moreover, the
imminent enlargement of the European Union to include new
members will simply increase its ability to exercise a
stabilizing influence over adjacent countries.
The enlargement of the European Union and its
readiness to conclude association and cooperation agreements
of ever wider scope with virtually all regions and countries
of the globe are proof of our sincere desire to forge ahead
with the building of Europe while at the same time opening
Europe to the world. This is the kind of Europe that is
proving increasingly able to serve the objectives of the
Charter. It provides encouragement to other countries and
regions to unite, to join together, as Europe has done, in the
common task of achieving greater peace in tomorrow’s
world.


 More than 12 months ago,
addressing the Assembly, which since then has seen a steady
increase in its membership, with the admission of new
Members that I welcome today with great pleasure, I
expressed my personal satisfaction and that of the people of
the Republic of San Marino over the momentous changes
that have marked these past hectic years.
Today, however, we face the pressing and serious
problem of managing those changes. It is of fundamental
importance to those peoples who have seen the laying of the
foundations of the edifice called "Democracy" that this
process continue and be shored up by solid institutions. The
strengthening of those institutions must be accomplished to
guarantee the solidity of that essential edifice, which may be
altered or changed in some of its parts, but which cannot be
deprived of its foundations.
Today more than ever, the importance of democratic
institutions must be acknowledged, upheld and stressed.
Now more than ever, peoples need to be assured that
struggles for power, those between factions and those caused
by ethnic, economic and political interests, will be averted
for ever so that real peace may be made, restored and
maintained.
My country is convinced that a renewed commitment
of the United Nations is necessary for the attainment of this
aim, in virtue of the role it plays as a universal factor that
has become a real point of reference for the entire world.
Not even the most advanced democratic society can
fully meet the needs arising out of the exercise of freedom.
In my opinion, however, any form of political regime other
than democracy would deprive man of his freedom to an
even greater degree. Democracy, even in its initial and most
incomplete forms, is organized in such a way that
individuals may take part, directly or indirectly, in the
exercise of power.
Further development of the existing democratic régime
is a precise commitment that my country has undertaken in
an attempt to find a solution to one of the consequences of
the past emigration of its citizens. I am referring to the
efforts we are making to facilitate the exercise of their right
and duty to participate in political life through their votes.
In our attempts to solve this problem the relevant
international instruments of the United Nations will be a
precise point of reference and an irreplaceable guide.
I am following with particular interest the discussion
under way on the possibility of reforming the institutional
mechanisms of the Organization. It is undoubtedly wise to
adapt institutions to present circumstances, so that they will
respond effectively to the new challenges. San Marino
supports those reforms, prompted by the conviction that
wider participation leads to more effective and shared
interventions. That is why with my country is following
with special attention the application submitted by Sweden,
in its capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the Conference on
Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), for the CSCE’s
admission to the United Nations with Observer States. That
application enjoys the full support of all participating States,
and I wish to express here the desire of my country to see
it accepted.
14 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
The CSCE continues to play a leading role in Europe
in favour of peace and the safeguarding of human rights.
Closer cooperation with the United Nations has now become
indispensable, and it will surely produce positive results.
The initial task of the United Nations was to lay down
the fundamental principles for the protection of human
dignity and for a peaceful, democratic and civil coexistence.
It then undertook a wider-ranging task, in light of the
evolution of rights and of those systems established for their
safeguard. Now the Organization must intensify its
intervention straightforwardly and incisively in order to
resolve critical situations.
The policy of pursuing the peaceful solution, resorting
to negotiations, mediation and political diplomatic initiatives,
is unquestionably the right course. That is the path to follow
in our times; it is policy of a democratic society in which
reason must always prevail.
Recourse to force, even when it seems indispensable to
maintain or restore democracy, is always an unfair and
dangerous option, since it takes a heavy toll of lives and
creates grounds for revenge that are risky and difficult to
dispel and may always trigger civil wars.
I truly hope we will not have to say one day that the
magic moment when our dreams seemed to have become
reality has passed us by. We must persist in averting the
dangerous strategy of nuclear deterrence.
If we manage to create a world with collective security
as its prevailing feature, there will no longer be grounds for
conflicts. Peace, however, does not depend exclusively on
the possession of weapons and on the thirst for supremacy.
Today, more than ever, peace depends on solidarity, on
respect for rights and on our efforts in favour of tolerance.
Europe is plagued by conflicts that offend peoples,
minorities, women, children and the poor. Every continent
is afflicted by wars and deep crises, which have become so
endemic as to arouse the suspicion that they have been
accepted as the norm. Some of the conflicts have become
so acute that even humane acts, solidarity and the most
indispensable interventions against hunger and cold seem
now to have faded into the background.
Exhausting and sincere mediation initiatives fail; crisis-
management becomes impossible; the solution of conflicts
seems unattainable, despite the growing number of political,
diplomatic and military missions, and even relief missions
are hindered in the performance of their work.
San Marino believes that the United Nations has the
ability, the authority and the structures to formulate a
dynamic and effective plan able to prevent and solve
conflicts, manage crises and maintain peace.
The authority and the means of the Organization may
sometimes not involve military choices. In any case, such
interventions can be justified only when all possibilities of
a peaceful solution have been considered and it is borne in
mind that resort to this option must not cause victims.
Crises and conflicts may be averted by eliminating their
root causes. When riches are not fairly distributed; when all
citizens do not enjoy the same rights and duties; when rights
and freedoms are not respected; when it is forgotten that
minorities are composed of individuals; when a distinction
is made between the dignity of man and that of woman;
when injustice exists; when man and his rights do not prevail
over the organization of the State and its military apparatus;
then conflicts inevitably arise.
The key principle of the United Nations, which has
always fascinated the people of the Republic of San Marino
and has now become our trusted point of reference, is that
of the indissoluble bond between personal freedom and the
liberty of all peoples. That freedom must be based on a
complex system of limits so that no man, in the exercise of
his rights, can ride roughshod over the rights of another.
In that spirit the Republic of San Marino recently
welcomed with sincere satisfaction the agreement of mutual
recognition signed by the State of Israel and the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO). That agreement, concerning
an area that has been theatre of war for a very long time,
was reached through peaceful negotiations and political
mediation in which both sides gave up something to
facilitate the peace process.
This major event is an important point of reference, a
proof of the existing good will and wish for certainty,
confirming that this is the only possible way to resolve
conflicts.
My country is convinced that many challenges have yet
to be met and still await effective solutions. We have to
exert our best endeavours to defend the poor from
underdevelopment, to sustain and contribute to their progress
by restoring to them, when the situation so requires, the
environment of which they have been deprived as a
consequence of ecological degradation. Every man is a
guardian of the world and is entitled to ask that it be used
correctly.
Forty-eighth session - 12 October l993 15
We must express solidarity in the forms that such a
humanitarian and understanding attitude requires, respecting
the dignity of peoples and their freedom to make their own
choices and determine their own destinies.
We must play a fundamental role in educating future
generations on mutual understanding, respect and tolerance.
This is the challenge facing the entire world and Europe in
particular. Together we will have to overcome the
consequences of intolerance to which we have given the
names of racism, "ethnic cleansing", mass migrations, refuge
and asylum.
The people of San Marino are following with particular
concern all issues related to minorities, their inalienable right
to free existence and well-balanced development, respect for
their cultures and religions, and the real exercise of these
rights under the same conditions enjoyed by the majorities.
The reason for this special interest is probably to be found
in the numerically small population of my country, which
history has always taught to offer hospitality and express
solidarity with the weak, the oppressed and the victims of
persecution.
Today this problem has reached proportions that might
become alarming. Nobody knows how many people may
be forced in the future to leave their native countries in
order to survive, whether in flight from underdevelopment
and hunger or prompted by the desire for freedom. Thus,
the problem has two faces. The first is the fact that no one
should be forced to leave his home and country; the second
is the fact that all people, to the extent their circumstances
permit, must be willing to offer hospitality in a spirit of
solidarity and brotherhood.
Having referred to this problem, I cannot fail to
mention the situation affecting the former Yugoslavia, the
coast of which can be seen, when the air is clear, from the
mountain on which the Republic of San Marino is situated.
Who knows the destiny of that poor people or when this
unacceptable war will finally end? I appeal to the General
Assembly, to all States of the world and to the United
Nations that we put a halt to the catastrophe. Let us
reiterate and strengthen within our own nations a sense of
tolerance undertaken as a duty and not as a right.


Mr. President, the speakers who have preceded me
at this prestigious rostrum have all unanimously
acknowledged your outstanding intellectual qualities, your
wealth of experience and your intensive knowledge of
international issues which will guarantee a positive outcome
to our work that promises to be very exciting at this time
when we see emerging on the horizon the irreversible
turning of the activities of the Organization towards real,
mutually beneficial, cooperation.
The delegation of the Republic of Zaire, which it is my
honour to head, associates itself with the congratulations and
wishes expressed by other delegations here present and
expresses the hope that your presidency will see the essential
basis laid down for the establishment of this new era of
peace, prosperity, mutual understanding and tolerance that
we all so wish to see.
I should also like to extend my sincere congratulations
to the other members of the Bureau who, I am sure, will
effectively assist you in carrying out your onerous but
inspiring tasks as President.
To your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Stoyan Ganev,
I should like to pay a particular and well-deserved tribute for
the competence, skill and know-how with which he so
capably guided the work of the General Assembly at its
forty-seventh session.
I should like to express to Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali,
the Secretary-General of the Organization, the sincere
expression of our appreciation and our encouragement of his
determination in the search for peaceful solutions to the
many armed conflicts that are devastating the world.
I should also like to welcome to the Organization the
new Member States. They can count on the cooperation and
assistance, both bilateral and multilateral, of the Republic of
Zaire.
Barely three years ago the overwhelming majority of
the inhabitants of this marvelous planet Earth were filled
with the hope of seeing close and multifaceted cooperation
for development among nations.

Although the cold war was blown away by the force of
the wind of perestroika we are obliged to note that this
forty-eighth session of the General Assembly has opened at
a time when we are witnessing the resumption of armed
conflicts in at least three of the five continents which make
up this world.
The collapse of the socialist bloc brought with it only
a moment of calm for we note at present the explosion of
hotbeds of tension and fratricidal wars in the former Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics and the former Yugoslavia, and
we condemn the monstrous, inhuman and horrendous acts of
modern civilization there.
The primary cause of all these wars is religious or
ethnic intolerance and the non-acceptance of political
opinions contrary to those which one believes to be of
immutable and subject to imposition on all. Thus, in Asia
anachronistic situations persist and entire populations are
condemned to wander without any hope of a better
tomorrow.
Nevertheless, my delegation backs the negotiations that
are now taking place between Israel and the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) on the question of Palestine
and urges all the protagonists in this drama to do all in their
power to ensure that these consultations lead to the
conclusion of a peace agreement guaranteeing the right of
each people to exist in internationally recognized territory.
We hail the courage and determination of their
excellencies the Prime Minister of Israel and the President
of the PLO who have recognized autonomy for Gaza and
Jericho and have also committed themselves to put an end
to acts of piracy and sabotage. May their example be
followed by other States involved in this conflict so that a
lasting peace can finally be established in this region and
that we can see genuine cooperation for development.
So too, we reaffirm our full support and our backing
for the efforts made by the two Koreas towards their
peaceful reunification.
We should also like to take advantage of this
opportunity to congratulate the United Nations authorities
which have effectively contributed to the organization of free
and democratic elections in Cambodia.
As regards Africa, this continent too has not been
spared by the situation of semi-war, semi-peace in which
young States must manage bloody conflicts which sorely try
their fragile State structures and their precarious socio-
economic infrastructures. However, the Republic of Zaire is
gratified to see the international community mobilizing to
prevent new conflicts and to find peaceful solutions to those
fratricidal wars which are devastating a good number of
African States.
The plethora of hotbeds of tension and the recourse to
military action, whether for intervention or for pacification,
are likely to wipe out these efforts and to damage the
humanitarian action and the noble objectives of peace and
harmony pursued by the United Nations.
Concerning southern Africa, in particular, Zaire
supports the action being taken by the United Nations in
Mozambique, and urges all the parties to the conflict to
respect the commitments they have undertaken and to work
towards the establishment of lasting peace there.
The positive results that we have seen in South Africa,
where the white minority has agreed to involve the black
majority in the administration of public affairs in a
Transitional Executive Council, are grounds for satisfaction
for all those who have contributed towards them, and for
legitimate pride for Presidents Mandela and De Klerk.
Given these prospects for peace that we can see just
over the horizon, it is our keen hope that there will be
genuine reconciliation within the black community in South
Africa so that a fratricidal war does not break out that would
quite likely support the notions of those who wish to hold
back the advent of a democratic and multi-racial Republic of
South Africa.
I beg the Assembly’s indulgence, since I should like
now to dwell on the case of our neighbour Angola, which
shares with Zaire a frontier over 2,600 kilometres long; in
Angola, the civil war, which is becoming more intense, is
causing considerable loss of life and incalculable material
damage and is threatening the territorial integrity of that
young nation.
The Republic of Zaire, which, since it acceded to
independence, has had to suffer the throes of civil war,
rebellion and many attempts at secession, cannot afford to
support a civil war in Angola. The tragic situation being
experienced by that fraternal nation is of extreme concern to
us, because it is causing us enormous political, economic
and social problems. Zaire is actually a semi-landlocked
country, and the closure of the Benguela railway and the
continuing insecurity right alongside Matadi port, our only
outlet to the sea - as a result of the crossfire between the
Popular Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola
(FAPLA) and UNITA - are doing my country considerable
Forty-eighth session - 11 October l993 3
economic damage right at a moment when it is no longer
receiving bilateral or multilateral assistance.
In addition to these many economic difficulties, there
has been a massive influx of our Angolan brothers and
sisters, who are finding refuge with Zairian families, to
which they are linked by historical ties of blood. Providing
food, shelter and so on for the refugees is increasing the
difficulties being experienced by the host families, who are
themselves rather disadvantaged.
The international community knows that the Republic
of Zaire right now is going through a period of political
turbulence and is encountering enormous economic and
financial difficulties. In these conditions, where could Zaire
find the additional resources to finance a civil war in
Angola? Taking into account its internal problems, my
country has no interest in promoting the traffic in weapons
of war through Matadi port, given that they could change
hands and fuel a civil war on its own territory.
Moreover, Zaire, which neither makes nor sells arms,
deplores the attitude of those countries whose citizens
manufacture arms and sell them to the belligerents - under
the tolerant gaze of their Governments - and then come and
shed crocodile tears in international forums over the fate of
the victims of this fratricidal war.
The Republic of Zaire, which assisted the Republic of
Angola in its struggle for independence and, through Zaire’s
mediation, facilitated the historic meeting between President
dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi at Gbadolite, is still ready to
seek, with them, ways and means of putting an end to the
Angolan tragedy. This is the spirit in which Zaire welcomed
Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye, the Secretary-General’s Special
Representative, on his visit to Kinshasa last September, and
in which the President of the Republic of Zaire, Marshal
Mobutu Sese Seko, dispatched to his Angolan counterpart an
emissary whose task was to dispel any ambiguity as to
whether there was meddling of any kind by my country in
Angola’s internal affairs.
Lastly, the Republic of Zaire, which has played an
active part at the recent Libreville conference on security
problems in central Africa and will soon sign the non-
aggression pact that was drawn up there, considers itself an
important link in the peace and security of the subregion,
and does not intend to take any action that might sour the
relations of good neighbourliness and cooperation that exist
between our States. Ancient African wisdom tells us that
when your neighbour’s house is on fire, you must help him
put it out in order to stop the wind wafting the flames
towards your own house.
After the political turbulence that Africa experienced
during the first few years of independence, some political
thinkers and players believed, in good faith, that establishing
strong government based on omnipresent and omnipotent
single parties could forge national unity and ensure our
States’ harmonious development. The Republic of Zaire was
no exception to this outline. In fact, for over two decades
now a monolithic political system has been in operation,
with its ups and downs, and has ended up, as a result of its
own internal contradictions, in such deadlock that on
24 April 1990 the President of the Republic, after three
months of consultations of the people, decreed the
dissolution of the single party and proposed the introduction
of a pluralistic political system.
Unfortunately, the enthusiasm that followed gave birth
to a sort of collective outpouring and the frenzied
establishment of political parties, of which there are now
360 for a total population of 40 million or so. In our
concern to make an objective reassessment of our history,
map out our future and ensure national reconciliation, we
held a Sovereign National Conference, which, lasting over
16 months, was the costliest and the longest in Africa.
The Conference raised great hopes but was unable to
achieve all its goals because, from the outset, those behind
it had come to it for two different reasons. For some, the
Conference was the best place to take power along
revolutionary-type lines - dissolving all the existing
institutions and sidelining those in charge of them - while
for others, who championed a reformist type of plan, the
Conference ought rather to be the place for organizing
government through a progressive restructuring of the
institutions. This basic difference caused heightened
passions from the beginning to the end of the Conference,
and the political players ended up more divided than they
had been before.
As the document setting out constitutional provisions
for the transitional period was not taken to its logical
conclusion - it failed to abrogate expressly the Constitution
in force - the country found itself with two basic
constitutional texts. In conditions such as these, it has been
difficult to arrange an equitable sharing of power between
the various transitional institutions, which is why we have an
institutional crisis and a political impasse.
To extricate ourselves from this situation, and on the
initiative of the President of the Republic and the President
of the Supreme Council of the Republic, the delegates of
several political platforms met in caucus to create a new
institutional framework. But the results of the caucus were
again disputed and the entire political class felt the need to
4 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
resume negotiations. These achieved, inter alia, the
establishment of a new institutional framework, the
unanimous acceptance of a timetable establishing the various
dates for elections in the next 15 months and the adoption by
referendum, within the same period, of a new constitution.
Thus, a referendum will be held in 1994 on the
adoption of the new constitution. There will also be free,
transparent and democratic elections for mandates for the
presidency of the Republic, the Parliament and the regional
and local councils. The presence of an independent national
electoral commission and international observers is planned
to reassure all sides of the proper carrying out of all
electoral operations. Thus, Zaire repeats its request to the
United Nations bodies and countries with a long history of
democracy for substantial help in the implementation of
these important timetables.
I should like here, on behalf of the Government of my
country, to thank Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Secretary-
General of our universal Organization, who, at the request of
the President of the Republic, sent one of his closest
assistants, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, to Kinshasa to try to gather
the political class of Zaire around the negotiating table. We
extend to him here the deep gratitude of the people of Zaire
for his selflessness and readiness in his attempt to reconcile
the sons and daughters of my country.
In an atmosphere of political crisis and social tension,
the protection of human rights becomes very difficult and is
subject to suspicions. The reestablishment of State authority
and respect for the laws of the land are often identified, at
best, with constraints and, at worst, with arbitrary actions,
while a country cannot become involved in development
projects without order or collective discipline.
Despite the flaws noted in the implementation of human
rights, Zaire has nevertheless made commendable efforts
along those lines by granting full freedom to the press and
authorizing the free exercise of political activities and the
free expression of opinions. It intends to follow up these
moves by cooperating with the specialized agencies of the
United Nations in making more effective those bodies in
Zaire entrusted with ensuring the strict observance of human
rights.
The democratization process is irreversible in Zaire and
no one is contemplating re-establishing the old order. We
all aspire to change and to the establishment of a State of
law. What is important at the present stage of my country’s
development is to know how to implement that change
peacefully. For now, we are asking the international
community and in particular those countries which wrongly
believe that they have received a mandate to administer
Zaire to let the Zairians themselves settle their own
problems, for whenever they are free of foreign interference
they always manage to overcome their antagonisms. We
therefore urge our usual partners to help us to overcome this
crisis instead of dividing us by canonizing some and
rendering others anathema.
The opportunity has thus been offered to certain
countries that call themselves champions of democracy to
support the organization of free and transparent elections in
Zaire rather than to propose undemocratic plans that bring
people to power who do not have the vote of the population,
which alone can confer legitimacy. That, in our view, is the
only way to rein in the excessive ambitions of certain
political leaders who, in their obtrusive declarations in
Kinshasa and the Western capitals, are harming the proper
unfolding of the democratization process.
The international community is certainly unaware of the
dishonourable treatment experienced by Zairians in their
travel to other countries. At present, it is nearly impossible
for a citizen of Zaire to travel to, or opt to reside in, certain
countries of the northern hemisphere, since for his visa is
automatically refused unless he reviles his country and the
legally established authorities. Is it the full enjoyment of
fundamental human freedoms when he cannot reside in a
territory other than his own unless he requests the status of
political refugee? Are the citizens of Zaire treated this way
being punished for their opinions? How can those countries
that practise this policy of exclusion have a precise idea of
what is transpiring in Zaire when they are preventing one
category of my fellow citizens from freely expressing
themselves and championing political ideas that run contrary
to their own?
The political uncertainties that have overshadowed Zaire
for three years have pushed into the background the
economic and social problems of a country in which strikes,
city-wide shutdowns, civil disobedience and looting have
torn asunder the economic fabric and aggravated the
people’s poverty. Zaire - which has seen itself arbitrarily
and vexingly deprived, under the pressure of certain Western
Powers, of access to financial facilities and to bilateral and
multilateral assistance at a time when its people has the
greatest need - hopes that the new era in the offing will
provide an opportunity for all its partners to assist it to
revive its collapsed economy.In this context, my country
very much hopes to resume dialogue with the Bretton
Woods institutions to improve the management of public
finances and to promote the flourishing of free enterprise.
Forty-eighth session - 11 October l993 5
As everyone knows, Zaire is a subcontinent made up of
a mosaic of tribes and ethnic groups which periodically, as
happens throughout the world, have trouble living together.
As we approach major political or electoral stages, tensions
exacerbated by demagogues is transformed into open
conflicts that compel, often in inhuman conditions, some of
our compatriots to abandon their homes.
The Government of the Republic of Zaire cannot
tolerate a situation in which citizens of Zaire find themselves
refugees in their own land. Thus, more specifically
concerning Shaba, it is not correct to speak of "ethnic
cleansing", since the Shaba, like the two Kasai, are not
ethnic groups but the provincial homes of several ethnic
groups. The Government has taken measures to halt all
forced displacements, ensure the security of those who wish
to remain in Shaba, and organize transportation of those who
have opted to leave in humanly acceptable conditions. This
task, like that of the restoration of displaced persons to their
original homes, requires enormous material and financial
means.
In cooperation with the specialized bodies of the United
Nations and non-governmental organizations, the
Government is working to gather all available means in
order to come to the aid of the victims of this tragedy.
Here we should like to welcome the action carried out,
at the request of the President of the Republic, by the
Secretary-General of the United Nations, who sent a
specialized inter-agency team led by Mr. Darko Silovic to
study in the field the ways and means to bring humanitarian
assistance to these disadvantaged peoples. We fervently
hope that the international community will respond
massively and positively to the Secretary-General’s appeal,
and we are grateful in advance for this.
Concerning the ethnic difficulties in North Kivu, it is
important to know that this is an ancient problem born of
colonization, which was then perpetuated by the
transplantation of Rwandese peoples to Zaire and by the
influx of refugees following the ethnic conflicts that
neighbouring country has experienced. Without lingering
over the underlying causes of this conflict, we should like to
inform international opinion that the Government has taken
measures to re-establish calm in the region and to ensure the
security of all parties to the conflict.
An appeal to humanitarian assistance for those peoples
who have lost everything in these sad events is sent out to
the international community, the non-governmental
organizations and Zaire’s customary partners, in light of the
urgency of the situation and the paucity of our means which
do not allow us to cope with it alone.
Before concluding my statement, I should like to take
up a problem which is of the greatest concern to the
international community and to my country in particular:
environmental protection. Zaire, whose considerable
expanse of tropical humid forest gives it the symbolic status
of the planet’s second lung would appreciate the
international community’s acknowledgement of the huge
sacrifices it is making, which are depriving it of incalculable
financial resources.
The preservation of the ozone layer requires that
additional resources be found for the implementation of
Agenda 21 and the conventions dealing with biodiversity.
Thus, my country believes that its commitment not to cut
down various species of trees which it considers the
common heritage of mankind should allow it to benefit from
certain types of compensation which would fill this financial
vacuum or at least this lack of earning power.
Finally, the delegation of the Republic of Zaire joins in
the request made by numerous delegations for a restructuring
of the United Nations system to allow all Member States,
regardless of size, fully to play their role in building a world
of justice, peace and mutually advantageous cooperation.


Mr. President,
allow me at the outset to extend to you the warmest
congratulations of the Greek Government on your election
to the presidency of the forty-eighth session of the General
Assembly. Your distinguished personal qualities and
diplomatic skills augur well for the progress of work of the
current session.
I should be remiss if I did not express the deep
appreciation of the Greek Government to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations ,
16 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for the most distinguished way
in which he has been discharging his high duties. His
dynamism, energy, perseverance, political will and
leadership, together with a determined vision of the new
world structure, constitute invaluable and solid foundations
for a more efficient and creative United Nations response to
the challenges of the close of the twentieth century. He has
our full support.
Let me also join previous speakers in welcoming, from
this rostrum, the new Members that have been admitted to
the United Nations this year.
We were deeply shocked by the tragic news of the
devastating earthquake in India, which has resulted in the
loss of tens of thousands of lives. I express, on behalf of
the Greek Government and of the Greek people, our sincere
sympathy for the families of victims and for the friendly
people of India.
Earlier this week, the Foreign Minister of Belgium, in
his capacity as President of the Council of the European
Community, delivered a statement on behalf of the European
Community and its 12 member States. My Government
fully subscribes to its content.
An unprecedented and historic event has enhanced
hopes for the peoples living in the Middle East. Israelis and
Palestinians have made a courageous step, in Washington,
towards peace. Greece, together with its European
Community partners, offers its full support for keeping the
present momentum so that the parties involved may soon
reach comprehensive and lasting agreements. We have
always taken the stand that peace in the Middle East could
be achieved through direct dialogue between all the parties.
The Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Mitsotakis, addressing
the General Assembly in 1981 in his capacity as Foreign
Minister stressed, inter alia, that:
"The prolongation of the Arab-Israeli conflict and
the failure of all unilateral attempts to resolve it
demonstrate that only dialogue among the parties,
including the Palestine Liberation Organization, can
lead to a just and lasting solution." (A/36/PV.16, p. 17)
We are extremely satisfied that these historic, direct talks
have paved the way to peace.
In today’s global political landscape, the international
community must address many challenges that are neither
familiar nor simple. Troubling developments in areas with
varying political and economic conditions are affecting
millions of people who are caught in a circle of violence and
suffering. Millions face starvation. We must take heart,
however, from the determination of peoples in all parts of
the world to sustain freedom and human rights, and to
choose their futures even in the face of declining output,
rising unemployment and inflation. In the quest for a better
world, for a better future, man is striving to improve his
social, economic and political institutions.
The future of mankind is inextricably linked to the way
in which we have lived and acted during the twentieth
century and, in particular, during the last four decades.
During this period the international community had rested its
hopes on the United Nations system in order to address the
challenges of modern society. Our Organization has stood
the test of time. It has offered us a valuable service in the
fields of peace and security. It has also helped us, to a great
extent, in our common endeavours towards eliminating
injustice, economic imbalances and social disparities, and in
safeguarding the environment.
We firmly believe that all Members of the United
Nations, together, have a moral obligation to act in order to
ensure a better future for mankind. Previous speakers have
duly stressed the need to react jointly to the challenges.
In this respect, allow me to announce that the
Government of Greece, eager to contribute towards this end,
has the honour to propose the convening in Greece, in
January of the year 2000, of an international United Nations
summit aimed at adopting a global agenda for the twenty-
first century. The general topic of this summit conference
could be "Partners for a Better World: on the Threshold of
the Twenty-first Century". An ad hoc preparatory committee
or an open-ended working group of the whole could be
established by this body to cope with the substance and the
organizational aspects of the summit. Greece expresses its
willingness and readiness to work bilaterally and collectively
towards the realization of this United Nations summit
conference. I might add that, after all, Greece was the
cradle of the democracy that humanity as a whole now
enjoys. It is the right place to hold the summit proposed by
the Greek Government.
We are living through a period of radical changes,
especially in Europe. Former adversaries are now
cooperating on the basis of common values and principles.
Historical agreements have been reached in arms control and
arms reduction, both regionally and globally.
These changes have also brought new risks and
uncertainties: the proliferation of new States; the
Forty-eighth session - 1 October l993 17
reappearance of claims of numerous national minorities
suppressed under communism, and with them the danger of
disputed borders; and, on top of these, the economic collapse
and heavy transition costs in the former communist
countries, as well as the re-emergence of nationalism,
national antagonisms, religious fanaticism and populist
tendencies. All of these issues have set the stage for a new
approach to the question of security and stability in Europe,
which has emerged as the major issue of political importance
in the old continent. Let me also emphasize that security in
Europe is linked to the economic development and maturity
of the democratic process and institutions in Eastern Europe,
the Balkan peninsula and the Maghreb. Uncontrolled and
unlimited migration resulting from political turmoil and
economic hardship in these countries could cause social and
economic problems affecting even the more prosperous
countries in Western Europe.
The significance of the United Nations in maintaining
peace has grown dramatically. It is enough to compare the
13 peace-keeping operations undertaken during the first
42 years of its existence with the same number of operations
established between 1991 and 1992. Only last week the
Security Council decided to establish two new peace-keeping
operations in Haiti and in Liberia.
The prestige, credibility and power of the United
Nations have been enhanced by the positive outcome of the
peace-keeping operations. However, the United Nations
system was not ready to cope with such an extended
challenge, and there seems to be a consensus that United
Nations methods and capabilities need to be adjusted and
improved. More effective ways to prevent and contain
conflicts have been considered by the United Nations, world
leaders and respected think-tanks. The Secretary-General’s
"An Agenda for Peace" has stimulated the ongoing
discussions and has already resulted in the adoption of a
series of measures.
Greece strongly supports the United Nations
peace-keeping operations, as well as peace-building and
peacemaking activities. Our presence in Somalia, Iraq,
Kuwait and Western Sahara indicates our increasing
involvement in peace-keeping. In this context, I should also
mention our contribution to the United Nations polling
officers unit in Cambodia and in other parts of the world.
Cyprus, a member of the United Nations, still remains
occupied and divided. Thirty thousand Turkish troops
occupy 38 per cent of the Republic. What is more,
thousands of settlers from the mainland have upset the
demographic balance of the population. We note with deep
concern a complete lack of progress towards a solution of
the Cyprus problem during this year. In spite of the efforts
of the Secretary-General and his representatives, talks in
New York and in Cyprus came to a standstill because of the
unwillingness of the Turkish Cypriot leadership to engage in
meaningful negotiations either on the overall agreement or
on confidence-building measures. We join the
Secretary-General’s call to Turkey to fully assume its
responsibilities and exercise its decisive influence with the
Turkish-Cypriot leaders in order to achieve progress.
The recent breakthrough in the Middle East has proved
that there are no intractable problems, if there is a political
will. This genuine will is required from Ankara in order to
re-establish the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of
Cyprus, while guaranteeing and protecting the rights of all
its citizens. Here, I would remind the Assembly that the
question of the missing persons has not been resolved.
Greece will maintain its constructive attitude in the hope that
it will be reciprocated. My Government this year increased
its contribution to the United Nations Peace-keeping Force
in Cyprus to $6.5 million, as evidence of our strong
commitment to achieving a political settlement while
safeguarding peace in Cyprus.
We follow with particular attention the tireless efforts
of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to achieve
decisive reforms to consolidate the democratic institutions
and establish an open market economy. We sympathize with
their calls for assistance. We participate in all initiatives to
promote a smooth integration of the newly established States
into international institutions. The consolidation of
democratic institutions and processes in Russia is of the
utmost importance for Europe and for my country in
particular.
An eloquent example of the upheaval brought about by
the dramatic changes in Europe is the situation in the former
Yugoslavia. Here, and especially in Bosnia, the upheaval
has turned into a tragedy of unprecedented proportions. No
matter how much we contribute to prevent and ease the
suffering of the people, there is no remedy unless and until
a political solution has been agreed upon by all parties.
Their leaders should understand that continued fighting
increases hatred and decreases the chances of a compromise,
and should seize any acceptable opportunity for peace for
the sake of their people. The Co-Chairmen of the
International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia have
exercised all their ingenuity to convince those leaders of
these simple truths. They have consistently tried to guide
negotiations towards the principles of the London
Conference. Cyrus Vance, Thorvald Stoltenberg and
18 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
Lord Owen deserve our gratitude for their tremendous
efforts.
Greece, along with its European Community partners,
plays a constructive role in the search for a negotiated
overall settlement. We were close to an agreement last May
after the Athens meeting, for which the Greek Government
and particularly the Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis, worked
hard. Let us hope that the present chance will not be
missed.
When an agreement is reached in Bosnia, we must take
an active part in the huge task of the reconstruction of the
former Yugoslavia. We propose to start planning for this
task right now. The main responsibility lies with the
European Community. Greece expresses its readiness to
host an international meeting for the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the former Yugoslavia, with the
participation of donors, as well as of neighbouring countries.
Substantial economic and financial assistance is the
prerequisite for achieving social harmony and consolidating
democracy. Let us hope that peace will be achieved sooner
rather than later. Serious consideration should be given now
to planning for the day after peace is achieved.
May I remind the Assembly that the agreement between
the Israelis and the Palestinians came very suddenly. Only
now is the international community thinking of ways to
assist the region to recover and achieve economic
reconstruction and rehabilitation. Let us not be late in the
case of the former Yugoslavia. If we act right now, we act
on time. The day after should be taken into serious
consideration by all concerned, and especially by the
European Community and the neighbouring States.
My Government deeply appreciates the efforts of the
Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International
Conference on the Former Yugoslavia in accordance with
Security Council resolution 817 (1993). We thank
Mr. Vance for agreeing to continue these efforts in
accordance with Security Council resolution 845 (1993).
The resolution of this problem will enhance stability in the
Balkan region. Greece’s position is clear: we are striving
to eradicate a potential point of friction in the Balkans,
friction which may lead to tension with unpredictable and
perhaps grave consequences.
On this occasion I reiterate our earnest desire to
strengthen, as far as possible, our relations with all our
neighbours. We have pursued this policy consistently. To
this purpose, we will continue our efforts to enable our
northern neighbours to accomplish the difficult task of
reconstructing their economies. The Balkan economies are
inextricably interdependent; we need the cooperation of our
northern neighbours in order to link further our economies
with those of the Central, Northern and Western European
States. So our neighbours need the cooperation of Greece in
order to integrate their economies with the European
Community as well as to have access to the trade routes of
the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Greece is fully aware of the need to assist, and has
already enormously assisted, Albania in overcoming its
considerable economic difficulties and consolidating its
democratic institutions. At the same time, we again urge the
Albanian Government to grant in practice the fundamental
minority rights established within the process of the
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe,
particularly in the fields of education and religion. Religious
freedom and the right to education should not be denied to
the Greek minority nor to any minority anywhere in the
globe. Albania cannot deny to the minorities within its
borders what it itself asks for its minorities abroad.
The elimination of weapons of mass destruction,
including in particular nuclear, chemical and biological
weapons, is a goal towards which, despite progress achieved,
we must persevere. The signing of the chemical-weapons
Convention on 12 January 1993 was an important step. We
look forward to the Conference of 1995 for an unconditional
and indefinite renewal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We
also note with satisfaction the progress made towards the
negotiation of a comprehensive test-ban treaty.
The World Conference on Human Rights, held in
Vienna last June, has led to the emergence of common views
and strategies involving large sectors of our societies and to
prospects for better cooperation between the institutions and
organizations active in this area.
We hope that the vicious circle of violence in South
Africa will end soon, with the cooperation of all South
African leaders, and that a new political system will be born.
Greece, along with its European Community partners,
intends to play a constructive role in assisting that country
in its transition to majority rule.
In Somalia, the United Nations embarked upon the first
peace enforcement operation to secure a safe environment
for humanitarian operations, disarm militia and pursue the
difficult task of political recovery. Pacification has been
accomplished to a large extent
Forty-eighth session - 1 October l993 19
though serious problems remain. As a troop contributor to
the United Nations Operation in Somalia, Greece firmly
believes that this operation should not be allowed to fail.
Greece and its European Community partners maintain
a fruitful dialogue in both political and economic matters
with the countries of Latin America. This dialogue will be
continued with great interest at the San Jose and Rio
ministerial meetings, which will take place next year under
the Greek presidency of the European Community and in
Greece.
In many of the poorest developing countries, standards
of living continue to decline, while in other developing
countries the results of economic performance are, to say the
least, mixed. Thus, some economies in Asia are vibrant.
Latin America, with the debt crisis behind it, has pursued
successful structural adjustment programmes. On the other
hand, in half of the developing world the picture remains
bleak. It is particularly so in Africa. The needs are
compelling.
We share the view that growth should be sustainable in
that it creates more employment, less poverty and greater
equality of opportunity, and also in that it promotes human
freedom and the preservation of the environment. Successful
national policies are necessary to bring about greater
participation by the people in economic, social and political
life.
In concluding my statement, I appeal to every Member,
not only in my capacity as Foreign Minister of Greece, but
also as a man who wants to see his grandchildren live in a
different, better world - a world of tolerance, peace and
solidarity. Let us join our efforts and share our experience
for a better tomorrow. Let us be tolerant of each other in
order to ensure a better life for our children and for their
children. Let us ensure that solidarity and partnership
prevail over sterile antagonism, micronationalism and
totalitarian ideologies and regimes. Let us work together to
eliminate war, famine, genocide, "ethnic cleansing",
holocaust, xenophobia, racism and aggression.


Allow me first to congratulate Mr. Samuel
Insanally on his election to his responsible post, and to wish
him every success in his work.
Allow me also to express gratitude to the President of
our last session, Mr. Stoyan Ganev, for his able guidance of
our work, and to Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Secretary-
General, for his dynamic, tireless work to restructure the
Organization and enhance its effectiveness, given the
qualitative changes occurring in the system of international
relations.
I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the
new members of the United Nations: the Czech Republic,
the Slovak Republic, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Eritrea, Monaco and Andorra.
The forty-eighth session of the General Assembly is
taking place at a momentous time. The twentieth century,
which has experienced two of the most destructive wars in
the history of mankind, as well as the cold war and the arms
race, which have depleted natural and financial resources,
the intellectual and moral potential of civilization, is
nevertheless ending on an optimistic note. Totalitarian
regimes have fallen, scores of countries have gained
independence and universal values of democracy and the
market economy are now finding new advocates throughout
the world.
We are proud that our small country, which straddles
Europe and Asia, a country with an ancient culture and a
proud history, has not been left behind in the truly universal
historical process of the triumph of democracy and national
and economic revival. Azerbaijan regained its independence
less than two years ago. The path travelled by our country
over these 22 months has not been without difficulties and
has been marked by contradictions and tragic events.
Nevertheless, we are convinced that the young State of
Azerbaijan is following the only true path leading to genuine
independence.
This has been borne out by the results of the recent
presidential elections held at the beginning of October, when
the overwhelming majority of the people of Azerbaijan voted
for Mr. Heydar Aliyev, an experienced politician and
recognized leader of our country, who is firmly committed
to the idea of building a democratic, secular society with a
market economy.
Unfortunately, the natural historical process of the fall
of empires and the acquisition of independence and
statehood by their peoples is often accompanied by excesses
of extreme nationalism. Many attempt to exploit the
democratization of the social and political life of young
independent States to undermine their internal stability.
22 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session
Nationalist separatist movements are often used as a way to
achieve these ends.
Unfortunately, Azerbaijan has fallen victim to such acts
of provocation. For six years now the Republic of Armenia
has been waging an undeclared war against Azerbaijan to
fulfil its territorial claims. The sad facts of Armenia’s
aggression are as follows: 20 per cent of the territory of
Azerbaijan is now occupied by Armenian troops, and
1 million of our country’s civilians have no homes or means
of survival. The economic infrastructure of the Azerbaijani
Republic’s occupied region has been destroyed. Unique
historical and cultural sites of Azerbaijan have been
destroyed. And all this is occurring under the cover of an
ongoing propaganda campaign and alleged non-involvement
by the Republic of Armenia in the aggression.
Azerbaijan has often proclaimed, and continues to
proclaim, its commitment to the principle of the peaceful
settlement of disputes. We welcome and commend the
efforts of the international community, the United Nations
and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
(CSCE) as well as the efforts made by individual States -
Russia, the United States, Turkey, Iran and Kazakhstan - in
recent years to achieve a peaceful settlement of the
Armenia/Azerbaijan conflict.
Azerbaijan welcomed the Security Council’s adoption
of resolutions 822 (1993) and 853 (1993) calling for the
immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the
occupying forces from Azerbaijan territory that had been
seized. Azerbaijan also welcomed the initial timetable -
worked out within the framework of the Minsk Group of the
CSCE - of urgent steps to implement Security Council
resolutions 822 (1993) and 853 (1993), several revised drafts
of which, however, were aborted because of the Armenian
side.
Azerbaijan stresses its commitment to the initial
approach of the CSCE - that is, that the Minsk Conference
should be preceded by the complete liberation of
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. This was stressed in
particular by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
G. A. Aliyev, yesterday during the reception for CSCE
representatives who are now visiting the region.
We are confident that, despite certain difficulties -
sometimes substantive - in the approach to the terms of the
peaceful settlement of the conflict, the political realism and
the sense of responsibility for the fate of our people shown
by the Azerbaijan side will be appreciated by our negotiating
partners.
Azerbaijan, which is richly endowed with a variety of
natural resources and which has a fairly well-developed
industrial potential, has all the conditions necessary to
overcome our objective difficulties in this transitional period
towards a market economy.However, since one out of every
six inhabitants of our country has been forced to leave his
home and now has no means of survival, as a result of the
hostilities and occupation of one fifth of our territory, the
humanitarian assistance provided by various international
organizations that have enormous experience in this area is
assuming great importance for our country.
In this difficult period for my country, Azerbaijan - and
primarily the people of Azerbaijan, who have suffered most -
has been given all round support and assistance by the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the
United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health
Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies. On behalf of my people and
Government, I take this opportunity to express profound
gratitude to all international organizations, humanitarian
institutions and specialized agencies and the peoples and
Governments of many States that have responded to the
suffering of the Azerbaijan people who have fallen victim to
aggression.
The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan also
expresses profound gratitude to the Secretary-General,
Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for having established a United
Nations - United Nations Development Programme Interim
Office in Azerbaijan. We are deeply convinced that the
activities of this Office will help to strengthen and expand
the comprehensive relations between our Republic and the
United Nations system. We are convinced, also, that this
cooperation will be mutually advantageous in view of the
initial results of interaction between the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the system of specialized agencies of the
United Nations, the majority of which our country joined in
1992 and 1993.
We attach overriding importance to international
cooperation in the field of the environment and sustainable
development and also to the comprehensive expansion of
world trade and the elimination of all barriers that restrict
that process.
Azerbaijan welcomed the decision to convene a World
Summit for Social Development and is prepared to take an
active part in preparing for that Summit, the successful
convening of which we believe will lay the basis for an
Forty-eighth session - 12 October l993 23
effective global development strategy for the twenty-first
century.
Our country is taking an active part in the preparations
for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II), which will take place in 1996 in Istanbul.
Thus despite the objective and subjective difficulties
encountered by my country, Azerbaijan, during the past year
has been taking decisive action to integrate itself fully into
the world community. We are convinced that integration
into the world’s political, economic and humanitarian
process is possible only by increasing cooperation between
States at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
Our country shares the general conviction regarding the
need to reduce the threat of the use of weapons of mass
destruction and subsequently to destroy them, has acceded to
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and
is taking an active part in the preparatory work for the
Review Conference that will take place in 1995. Azerbaijan
supports the indefinite extension of that Treaty and believes
that it should be made universal. We are convinced that the
non-proliferation Treaty is an instrument that strengthens all
international efforts and regional initiatives that seek to
prevent any proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
to eliminate obstacles that threaten international and regional
peace and security.
In this connection we welcome the positive steps taken
recently in the area of disarmament, including the adoption
of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and
on Their Destruction, which was signed by Azerbaijan and
the majority of countries of the world.
One outstanding example of our progress towards
building a democratic, lawful State was Azerbaijan’s
accession to the basic instruments of international law in the
area of human rights, such as the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, the Convention relating to the Status of
Refugees (1951) and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status
of Refugees, and some others. Our country is very
interested in the various initiatives being taken in the area of
protecting human rights. The idea of establishing, within the
United Nations system, a new post of high commissioner for
human rights, reflects an intention to enhance international
cooperation in this area. We are prepared actively to
participate in the discussions on this question.
Another pressing issue, one that requires urgent and
constant attention, is that of refugees and displaced persons.
It is time for the international community to draw up proper
rules and standards to govern massive, forced migrations
which could help overcome their main causes and
consequences.
Desirous of making a worthy contribution to the various
areas of the activities of the United Nations, Azerbaijan
submitted its candidacy for, and was elected to, the
Commission on Human Settlements and the
Intergovernmental Committee on Science and Technology
for Development. We are convinced that the great scientific
potential and practical experience of our specialists will help
these commissions to do effective work.
In 1995 the United Nations will celebrate its fiftieth
anniversary. In the almost five decades that have elapsed
since the United Nations was created, its historic meaning
and universality have become strikingly clear. Today it is
time for serious, meaningful changes, changes commensurate
with the needs of our rapidly changing world. We believe
that, given the new context of international relations, the
restructuring of the United Nations, and particularly of the
Security Council, must meet the great expectations of
Member States. Expansion of the membership of the
Security Council, the need for which is the subject of serious
discussion, should help the Council continue effectively to
discharge its primary task, that of the maintenance of
international peace and security.Of course the role and
responsibility of the Secretary-General will shift towards
enhanced peacemaking and diplomatic activity.
In conclusion, we look to the future with optimism, to
a future where peace and cooperation will prosper. We call
upon States Members of the United Nations to make every
effort to promote the establishment of a safe, secure,
common home. We are sure that constructive discussions
and debates at this session will make an important
contribution to the building of a better world in the coming
century.