Before delivering my statement, I would like to express
our condolences to the United States, the Dominican
Republic and other countries represented here that have
lost citizens among the many passengers and crew
members who perished in yesterday’s tragic crash of
American Airlines flight 587, and I hereby extend these
condolences to their families.
The war in Afghanistan must be stopped. The
Government of the United States must acknowledge
that it has made a mistake, and must halt its ineffective,
unjustifiable bombing campaign against the Afghan
people.
Judging by its results, it would seem that this war
has targeted children, the civilian population and the
hospitals and facilities of the International Committee
of the Red Cross. As to its methods, no honest voice
would be raised in this Hall to defend the endless
slaughter, with the most sophisticated weaponry, of a
dispossessed, starving, helpless people. As to its
doubtful purposes, this war will never be justified from
the point of view of ethics and international law. Those
responsible for it will one day be judged by history.
Cuba has opposed this war from the very
beginning as an absurd, inefficient method to eradicate
terrorism, and reiterates that it can only bring more
hatred and ever-increasing dangers of new actions of
this kind. No one has the right to continue murdering
children, aggravating the humanitarian crisis and
visiting impoverishment and death on millions of
refugees.
If the United States obtained a military victory by
eliminating all regular and irregular Afghan
resistance — something that is not at all easy in
practice and extremely costly on a moral level, for it
would represent a real genocide without attaining the
objective that we must pursue — the world would be
farther away than ever from achieving peace, security
and the eradication of terrorism.
Cuba’s discourse is not founded on ill feelings
against the country that has been our most pitiless
adversary for over 40 years. It is inspired by a sincere,
constructive spirit and a sense of respect for and
sympathy towards the people of the United States,
which suffered an unjustifiable and atrocious terrorist
attack. It is also based on the aspiration for peace and
justice for all the peoples of the world.
What Cuba expresses in this Hall, with full
openness, may not be to the liking of those who run the
United States today, but it will be understood one day
by the American people, whose generosity and sense of
justice were proved to the Cuban people when it had
the support of 80 percent of the public opinion in this
country in our struggle to prevent a kidnapped Cuban
child from being torn away from his family and
subjected to ludicrous political manipulations and cruel
psychological tortures.
What Cuba is saying from this rostrum, as we
well know, is what many people have been saying in
the corridors of this building. What international
coalition are we talking about? What is its legitimacy
based on if it has started by scandalously disregarding
the General Assembly? The United States has not
fostered international cooperation. It has rather
imposed its war on a unilateral basis and has stated in
an unprecedented way that whoever does not second
them is for terrorism. How long will the precarious
support obtained last, since it is not based on
harmonized objectives and voluntary agreement, but on
the imposition of will through threats and pressures?
You can be the strongest, but not necessarily
right. You can inspire dread, but not sympathy and
respect. Only from genuine international
cooperation — in which all countries, big and small,
participate with a full understanding of everyone’s
positions, with broadmindedness and tolerance in the
21

methods used, within the framework of the United
Nations and the strict respect for the principles
enshrined in its Charter — can a truly effective and
lasting alliance emerge to fight terrorism.
The world was surprised to learn of the official
announcement of the United States to the Security
Council that it reserved the right to decide on an attack
against other countries in the future. What is left of the
Charter after this? Can this unprecedented threat by
any chance be interpreted as an exercise of the right to
legitimate defence, enshrined in the Charter as the right
of a State to deal with acts of aggression until the
Council adopts the necessary measures, and not as a
vulgar excuse to unleash attacks against other
countries? Is this announcement, or is it not, the
proclamation of the right of a super-Power to trample
upon the still fragile and incomplete standards that
protect the sovereignty, security and rights of peoples?
Cuba calmly and firmly rejects that language. We
have not done so out of concern for our own security,
because there is no power in the world that can subdue
our spirit of independence, freedom and social justice
and the courage to defend it at any cost. We did so,
because we believe that it is still possible to halt the
escalation of a useless, brutal war that threatens to
further plunge into hopelessness, insecurity and death
the poor peoples of the planet, who are by no means
responsible for any act of terrorism, but will be — and
already are — the main victims of this senselessness.
Only under the leadership of the United Nations
will we be able to defeat terrorism. Cooperation, and
not war, is the way. The coordination of actions, and
not the imposition of will, is the method. Our objective
must be to obliterate terrorism by removing its root
causes — and not the hegemonic assertion of the
strength of a super-Power, thus turning us into
accomplices to its arrogance and arbitrariness.
Therefore, Cuba — which has already responded
to the Secretary-General’s appeal by deciding to
immediately ratify all of the international legal
instruments on terrorism — resolutely supports the
adoption of a general convention on international
terrorism. Of course, this will be possible only in the
context of the General Assembly, which — though now
completely ignored by those who are promoting the
new campaign — has, over the past 10 years, despite
the silence and apathy of the Security Council, adopted
the principal resolutions and declarations calling for an
outright combat against terrorism.
This will allow us finally to define terrorism with
accuracy. We have to prevent attempts from being
made by a handful of actors with vested interests to try
to label as such the right of nations to fight for their
self-determination or against foreign aggression. It
must be clearly established that the support, abetting,
financing or concealment of terrorist actions by a State
is also an act of terrorism.
Cuba, which is working on its own anti-terrorism
law, which should be in effect shortly, unreservedly
endorses the proposal to convene an international
conference on terrorism under the auspices of the
United Nations. This has been a longtime aspiration of
the Non-Aligned Movement and should enable us, as a
result of open discussions, collective action and
respectful and non-discriminatory agreement — and
not of threats, terror or force — to find a way to fully
eliminate terrorism and its causes. Here I am speaking
of terrorism committed not only against the United
States but against any other country — even if
emanating from the territory of the United States, or
tolerated by, or with the complicity of, its authorities,
as has been Cuba’s painful experience for over four
decades.
Only four days ago, the Pakistani media
attributed to a character who is well known and very
familiar to the United States a statement supposedly
made from Afghan territory saying that he has
chemical and nuclear weapons and is threatening to use
them against the United States if it uses similar
weapons against Afghanistan.
Everybody knows that Afghanistan does not have
the slightest ability to produce or launch nuclear or
chemical weapons. Only a terrorist organization or
leader could come up with the idea of executing an
action of this kind using nuclear or chemical weapons.
Of course, theoretically this could be possible, as a
consequence of the irresponsible behaviour of the
major nuclear Powers and as a result of the arms trade,
corruption and illegal trafficking in all sorts of military
technology. Indeed, several of those Powers have acted
as accomplices to, and taken part in, the traffic in
fissile material and the transfer of nuclear technology,
as suits their interests. However, in reality, given the
conditions of war in Afghanistan, it would be
ridiculous to resort to those threats. To do so would be
22

to show tremendous political and military ignorance. If
one lacked such means, this would be a dangerous
bluff, and if one did have them, it would be absolute
madness to threaten to use them.
If the threats contained in the statement published
by two Pakistani newspapers are true, they deserve the
strongest condemnation, as would the eventual use of
such weapons against Afghanistan. That would be a
stupid reaction, since, under those circumstances, the
only thing that poor, suffering country would have to
gain would be a universal condemnation of the use of
such weapons. Such threats serve only the interests of
the extremist and belligerent forces within the United
States, which favour the use of the most sophisticated
weapons of mass destruction against the Afghan
people. The best weapon for a country that is the
victim of aggression is to earn and keep the sympathy
of the world, and not to allow anyone to violate the
ethical principle that no one has the right to kill
children, not even if others are doing it. There is no
justice in killing innocent people to avenge the death of
other innocents.
Cuba has stated without hesitation that it is
opposed to terrorism and to war. Cuba, which is not
under obligation to anyone, will continue to be
consistent in its positions. Truth and ethical
considerations should prevail above all else.
The way events have unfolded, the increased
level of hatred and the intensification of passions and
potential dangers have shown the absolute truth of the
assertion that war has never been, is not, and never will
be the way to eradicate terrorism.
The most critical socio-economic crisis ever —
the result, halfway through the last decade, of the
resounding and irreversible failure of neo-liberalism
and neo-liberal globalization — has been dramatically
aggravated by this war, which was imposed by one side
but whose consequences we all have to bear.
This war must be stopped, not only because its
consequences for the Afghan civilian population, but
also because of the danger of destabilization in that
region. It must be stopped in order not only to save
thousands of Americans — mostly young — and
thousands of Afghans and other nationals from a
senseless death, and not only to preserve international
peace and stability, but because this conflict makes it
impossible to achieve the objective set by the United
Nations 15 years ago: the right to development for all,
and an equal opportunity to attain it, and because it
renders obsolete the decision made only a year ago to
work together in order to eliminate poverty from the
face of the Earth.
Will we be willing to organize a coalition against
poverty, famine, ignorance, diseases and the scourge of
AIDS that is currently decimating the African
continent; a coalition for sustainable development, for
the preservation of the environment and against the
destruction of the planet?
A coalition has been assembled to avenge the
grievous and unjustifiable death of over 4,000 innocent
people in the United States. Let us come together to
seek justice for this great crime — and let us do so
without war; let us come together to save from death
the hundreds of thousands of poor women who die
during childbirth every year; let us come together to
save from death the 12 million children who die of
preventable diseases before the age of 5 every year in
the third world; let us come together to bring medicine
for AIDS to the 25 million Africans who today are
hopelessly awaiting death; let us come together to
invest in development at least a portion of the billions
already spent on bombing a country in which almost
nothing has been left standing.
Cuba demands that the General Assembly, the
Security Council and the United Nations Organization
as a whole take up once again, as top priorities, the
debate of these problems on which depend the lives of
4.5 billion inhabitants of the third world, whose rights
and hopes have also been buried under the rubble of
the World Trade Center.
Cuba reiterates its categorical condemnation of
the terrorist acts committed last 11 September. Cuba
reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations. Cuba reiterates that it will not
allow its territory ever to be used for terrorist acts
against the people of the United States or of any other
country.
Cuba has the will to do this because it has
suffered terrorist acts for over 40 years; because in
Cuba there are still the relatives of the nearly 3,500
Cubans killed as a result of acts of aggression and
terrorism; and because justice is still demanded by the
more than 2,000 Cubans disabled by acts of aggression
and terrorism. Some of Cuba’s sons and daughters who
fought against terrorism have become the victims of
23

cruel persecutions, merciless treatment and unjust and
slanderous trials.
The people of the United States are victims not
only of terrorism and panic but also of the lack of
truthful information, manipulation and the questionable
curbing of their freedoms. Cuba does not nurture any
hatred towards the American people, whom we do not
hold responsible for our suffering caused by terrorism,
acts of aggression and the unfair economic war that we
have had to withstand during almost an entire lifetime.
We share with the American people the aspiration of
one day having relations based on respect and
cooperation.
If anyone here takes offence at these words
uttered on behalf of a small, generous and courageous
people, I apologize. We speak in a straightforward
manner. Words exist to uphold the truth, not to conceal
it. We rebel against injustice and oppression. We have
the moral resolution. We defend our ideals with our
lives. Our support can be won for any just cause, but
we will not be overcome by force, or allow absurd
slogans or shameful campaigns to be forced upon us.
For many years now, we have proclaimed that for
us Cubans, the historical dilemma is: “Motherland or
Death!” From this comes our confidence and sureness
that we are and will continue to be a worthy, sovereign
and just people.


Please
allow me to extend to you, Sir, on behalf of the
delegation of Eritrea, warm congratulations on your
election to the presidency of the General Assembly at
its fifty-sixth session. I am confident that, under your
wise and able leadership, our deliberations will come
to a fruitful conclusion. The Eritrean delegation assures
you of its full cooperation and support.
May I also extend to your predecessor, Mr. Harri
Holkeri of Finland, our deep appreciation for the
skilful and wise manner in which he conducted the
deliberations of the fifty-fifth session.
I also wish to take this opportunity to extend
heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of the people and
Government of the State of Eritrea, to Mr. Kofi Annan
upon his well-deserved election for a second term. I am
certain that our Organization will benefit immensely
during his second term, as it did during his first, from
his vision, wisdom, competent leadership and selfless
dedication. I also wish to congratulate him and the
United Nations on their well-deserved awarding of the
2001 Nobel Peace Prize.
Allow me to express, on behalf of the people and
Government of the State of Eritrea, profound sorrow
and to extend sincere condolences to the people and
Government of the United States of America in this
their time of grief following the hateful attacks of 11
September. We also wish to extend our heartfelt
sympathy and condolences for the victims of the
painful aeroplane crash of 12 November.
The Government of Eritrea condemns the
barbaric act committed against innocent civilians by a
few craven terrorists. From the outset, we declared
solidarity with the people and Government of the
United States against those heinous acts.
Terrorism violates the most basic of human
rights: the right to life. Therefore, we must all unite in
the protection of all our citizens against these
dastardly, desperate acts perpetrated by individuals or
organized terrorist networks. There should be no
impunity for such criminals.
Humankind entered the new millennium with
optimism and hope — and for good reason. It had
recognized, through bitter experience, the folly of war
and conflict and the virtue of peace, good-
neighbourliness and cooperative relations. It had had
the opportunity to review past achievements and errors
and to identify sources of strength and weakness. It had
evolved lofty norms, values and principles. It had
established refined procedures and created effective
mechanisms to guarantee their implementation.
Unfortunately, however, humankind had not yet
mustered the necessary determination or the collective
will to translate that vision into reality. It is evident
that it has not yet learned the ways of comprehensive
peace. The full blooming of a culture of peace and
development remains so near and yet so distant.
Consequently, two years into the new millennium,
we continue to witness with dismay immense poverty
and want in the midst of massive wealth in the world,
deprivation in spite of the enormous advances in
science and technology, wilful violations of human
6

rights and manifestations of mutual hatred and
hostility.
The statistics are dismal. Yet, we must not be
unduly alarmed, if only because it is too early to be
discouraged by unfulfilled and unkept promises. On the
contrary, we must decide to confront the challenges,
including the depressing disparity between the rich and
the poor, and issues of war and peace and violations of
human rights.
We must collectively address the new forces that
are being unleashed by science and technology,
including globalization. Globalization can serve as an
effective instrument for establishing an equitable and
just relationship between the rich and the poor and for
promoting sustainable development to the mutual
benefit of all. However, this can be achieved only if a
cooperative mechanism is established immediately,
during this critically early stage of the twenty-first
century, before we are overtaken by the speed of the
technology and information revolution. It is equally
important that the capacities of the poor nations be
increased without delay in order to ensure their
effective participation in the global economy.
It must also be acknowledged that peace, security
and stability are closely linked to development. It need
not be emphasized that there is no development without
peace, and no peace without security. To this end, all
efforts must also include development concerns.
The world continues to be plagued by wars and
conflicts that have spilled over from the previous
century, in spite of the international community’s
efforts and full commitment to peace, security and
stability.
The African continent has perhaps fared the worst
in the last few years, as it has been beleaguered by
repeated economic catastrophes, political disruptions
and inter-State and intra-State conflicts.
It is a source of deep concern to us that
globalization has had a severely negative impact on
African economies. It has deepened their
marginalization and kept them from benefiting from
the global economy. Africa suffers more than any other
region from extreme poverty and, indeed, from
recurrent famine. Plagues like malaria, tuberculosis,
HIV/AIDS, diarrhoea and a host of other debilitating
and fatal tropical diseases have, in many cases, reached
biblical proportions. The decimation of populations has
had horrendous consequences on many already weak
economies.
In addition to economic crises and poverty,
conflicts, wars and civil strife have prominently
afflicted Africa during the past decade and a half. In
1999, close to 20 conflicts were wreaking havoc on the
continent. It was in acknowledgement of the gravity of
the matter that the Organization of African Unity
Summit, held in Algiers in 1999, decided to declare
2000 as the year for ending conflicts and giving
momentum to peace.
It was an auspicious year. There were
encouraging signs in the Sudan, Somalia and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a
comprehensive peace agreement was signed between
Eritrea and Ethiopia. Yet much remains to be done. It is
encouraging to note that Africans are making great and
sustained efforts to resolve the conflicts in Sierra
Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, the Great Lakes region,
Somalia and the Sudan at the regional level.
In the same vein, a just and durable solution to
the problem in the Middle East must be found through
the creation of a fully independent Palestinian State.
The international community must be involved
more meaningfully in assisting the peoples of these
countries. Yet, the primary responsibility for resolving
conflict, achieving national reconciliation and
establishing peace, security and stability lies with the
peoples and leaders of these countries. It must also be
emphasized that, while any regional assistance
rendered is to be appreciated, it must be predicated
upon the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the
assisted countries. Such assistance should be based on
lofty principles and aimed at serving the interests and
well-being of the countries in question.
The Horn of Africa has been a zone of conflict
for the past four decades. Peace, security, stability and
development are the collective responsibility of the
States of the region. It behoves them to earnestly
promote, protect and consolidate cooperative relations
on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s
sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, renunciation
of the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of
disputes, good-neighbourly relations and peaceful
coexistence.
Since its independence in 1993, the State of
Eritrea has espoused national security and development
7

policies and programmes based on the premise that our
security and development interests are closely linked to
regional security and prosperity. To this end, it actively
engaged itself in the revitalization of the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
and the propagation of IGAD’s new mission. IGAD is
now fully engaged in peacemaking and conflict
resolution and coordinating cooperative efforts among
its member States. In this context, my delegation
wishes to extend special thanks to President Daniel
arap Moi of Kenya and President Ismail Omar Guelleh
of Djibouti for their dedicated, unbiased and untiring
efforts to bring peace to the Sudan and Somalia
respectively.
The search for durable peace, security and
stability must be the collective commitment of all
member States of IGAD and it must be anchored solely
in the welfare and best interests of the peoples
concerned. Peace in Somalia is vital, and it should not
be held hostage by any Government under the pretext
of preserving its national security. History and the
Somali people will make them responsible if they
become an obstacle or try to hinder peacemaking
efforts in the region.
The world welcomed the signing of the
Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, a
comprehensive peace Agreement between Eritrea and
Ethiopia. It has expressed the hope that the
implementation of the Agreement will proceed
smoothly and will lead to a durable peace.
Both countries owe it to their people and to the
entire international community to establish a durable
peace as soon as possible. We face the challenge of
meeting the hopes and great expectations of our people
and of the international community. Eritrea solemnly
reiterates not only its abiding commitment to the peace
Agreement and its speedy implementation, but also its
undertaking to fully cooperate with all its partners in
the peace process.
The peace process has made significant progress.
However, I should like to inform the Assembly that key
provisions of the peace Agreement remain
unimplemented because the Government of Ethiopia
has failed to comply with its obligations. It has, to date,
obstructed the establishment of the temporary security
zone and the establishment of a direct air route
between the capitals of the two countries. Moreover, it
has refused to submit operationally useful information
on its minefields in the temporary security zone and to
release civilian detainees and war prisoners.
It has also resumed the deportation of Eritreans
and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin, in blatant violation
of the comprehensive peace Agreement between the
two countries. The last round of deportation occurred
on 25 June 2001 and was strongly condemned by the
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE) and the International Committee of the Red
Cross.
Under these circumstances, it is surprising that
Ethiopia has recently accused Eritrea of placing its
army on high alert and of deploying its troops along the
common border. This baseless accusation, refuted by
the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in
Eritrea and Ethiopia, is designed to hide Ethiopia’s
plans and intentions to sabotage the peace process by
provoking hostilities.
The Government of Eritrea has consistently
undertaken, in good faith, to comply fully with the
provisions of the Algiers Agreement, in spite of the
intransigence of the Government of Ethiopia and its
violation of it.
The Government of Eritrea wishes to extend
sincere appreciation to, and applauds the effort of, the
peace partners, particularly the United Nations, the
European Union, the Organization of African Unity
and the Governments of the United States and Algeria.
It also extends its profound thanks to the friends of
UNMEE for their immense contribution to the peace
process. At the same time, it urges the international
community to exert extra effort to persuade the
Ethiopian Government to fulfil its legal obligations
under the Algiers peace Agreement and the United
Nations Charter without delay.
Eritrea has always been consistent in its
condemnation of terrorism, irrespective of the
perpetrators or victims. It has itself become the victim
of terrorist attacks by elements organized, financed,
trained and armed by the Ethiopian Government. These
terrorists are often joined by Ethiopian troops and
militias in their heinous crimes against innocent
civilians. We urge the international community to
condemn these barbarous acts and to demand that the
Ethiopian Government cease its activities and hostile
acts as soon as possible.
8

In conclusion, despite its regrettable experience
with the United Nations in the early days, Eritrea is
fully convinced that the Organization has played a
crucial role in the maintenance of international peace
and security and has contributed immensely to the
promotion and protection of human rights, as well as to
economic development and social progress.
Eritrea is fully and unequivocally committed to
strengthening the United Nations. To this end, we
believe that the United Nations must proceed with a
process of change and reform that will reinforce the
principle of equality among all its Members and
guarantee its impartiality and neutrality. Hence, we
fully endorse the position of the Non-Aligned
Movement on membership of the Security Council and
the question of a periodic review of its structure and
functions. We are confident that much will be achieved
under the visionary leadership of Mr. Kofi Annan
during his second term of office.


It gives me
great pleasure to convey to Mr. Han Seung-soo
heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of my delegation
and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, on his
accession to the honourable post of President of the
fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly.
I would also like to congratulate his predecessor
on a job well done, especially during such an
exhausting period for the United Nations. The success
of the United Nations is built on the hard work of its
Members, and both the President and his predecessor
have shown dedication to the positive functioning of
this esteemed institution.
In the last decade, world leaders have been
working tirelessly in different forums to redefine and
address the myriad challenges that characterize the so-
called new order. This has placed a great premium on
the United Nations, which has provided an able
platform for exchanges of ideas, practical dialogue and
conflict resolution. My delegation is satisfied that
marked progress has been made in identifying many of
the critical issues. The United Nations deserves high
praise, and we commend Member States for their
willingness to use the diplomatic and political
resources of the Organization in the conduct of their
international relations.
The involvement of the United Nations in recent
times is a fitting backdrop for the decision that the
coming year will be designated the Year of Dialogue
among Civilizations. This is most timely, and it serves
as a revalidation of our belief that dialogue is a critical
ingredient in promoting partnership and improved
understanding among Governments and peoples.
Dialogue is the foundation of solid democracies,
strong people-centred institutions, civil societies and
sustainable human development. Dialogue is still that
very important catalyst which often staves off war and
conflict, enabling consensus and confidence-building
in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. Thus, it is
quite obvious why the Government of Saint Kitts and
Nevis supports this idea.
In a certain sense, a new world order dawned on
11 September 2001, when terrorism, in a most
outrageous form, reared its ugly head in the cities of
Washington and New York, in the United States of
America, with the loss of thousands of innocent lives.
Dialogue among members of the international
community rapidly spawned an anti-terrorism coalition
of countries, thereby defining the protagonists in this
unfolding new order. My country stands solidly with
this coalition, especially in pursuing the generally
agreed strategies to contain terrorism. Despite the
horrendous act of 11 September and subsequent
bioterrorism, life goes on, adjusted to a new reality.
Another opportunity where dialogue may prove
useful in advancing human security will come when
Governments meet at the International Conference on
Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico next
year. Saint Kitts and Nevis regards this as an important
occasion to promote the interests of all nations. But, we
are especially hopeful that this Conference will
embrace the aspirations and promote better
appreciation for the needs, vulnerabilities and special
circumstances of small economies in small island
developing States.
23

My Prime Minister has repeatedly urged the
international community to take a more unbiased look
at the peculiar situation of small, vulnerable
economies. This is not an appeal for international
charity, but a signal to promote the kind of realism
through which a Marshall Plan of commitment can be
devised to energize small, vulnerable economies so that
they can effectively participate in a globalized
economy.
Dialogue is important in building real
participatory democracies. But democracy among
nations is as crucial as democracy within nations.
When the people we serve feel that our actions as
leaders do not reflect their dreams, goals and
aspirations, they may use their democratic right to
effect change. We have a duty, therefore, to give loud
voices to their silent legitimate hopes. We must place
added value on the hopes and expectations of our
people in order to legitimize the concepts of
representative democracy.
It is within this context that I urge this body to
redouble its efforts in finding a solution to the
unfortunate stalemate that beleaguers relations between
the Chinese people across the Taiwan Straits. My
Government remains convinced that both sides of the
Taiwan Straits should become fully engaged in this
peaceful and non-coercive process without the
distraction of preconditions. It would lead to the
successful resolution of what appears to be a very
contentious issue. At the same time, we encourage the
United Nations to be vigilant and ready to assist where
possible or when required. Prior to the peaceful
settlement of their dispute, it is imperative that we
establish a mechanism by which the international
community can benefit more appropriately from the
proven expertise, technical know-how and skills of the
23 million people of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
We call on the United Nations to assist in the
resolution of the question of full inclusion of Cuba into
the affairs of the western hemisphere. Also, we urge
the people of Cuba, as we celebrate the Year of
Dialogue among Civilizations, to embrace the
challenge of ensuring that they can participate fully in
the community of nations.
Participatory democracy among nations must be
erected on the twin pillars of mutual respect and trust.
But trust wanes in the face of unilateral actions such as
threats made by the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries to
blacklist and impose sanctions on sovereign Caribbean
Governments, consequent upon the OECD countries’
misunderstanding of fiscal initiatives taken by
sovereign Caribbean Governments as a way to
underpin sustainable economic development.
As we celebrate the Year of Dialogue among
Civilizations, we urge Member States to resist the lure
of national paternalism and unilateral action as a means
of problem-solving. In a matter so crucial to the
economic future of Caribbean countries, it is
inconceivable that conclusions could have been
reached and decisions arrived at without the courtesy
of dialogue with the very countries against whom such
scathing indictments had been made. However, most
recently, wiser counsel has prevailed and, in a spirit of
dialogue and partnership, significant progress has been
made by means of a compromise agreement. The
Caribbean Community hails this agreement on offshore
fiscal initiatives as a step in the right direction. Such is
the power of dialogue among civilizations.
We imagine that the mechanisms of globalization,
if timely and equitably applied, can be productive,
inclusive, and improve lives. It must be emphasized
that, although small States may justifiably harbour
some apprehension about globalization, we do not
oppose it. On the contrary, we welcome the
opportunities to empower our citizens so that they may
compete successfully in a global marketplace, mindful
that empowerment and the ability to compete
successfully, however, require appropriate skill-sets,
academic resources and material tools. In order for
small States to benefit fully from the new economic
order, the global agenda must become a humane
agenda, sufficiently responsive to facilitate equitable
and affordable access to modern technology — that is
to say, technology that is appropriate and responsive to
the basic needs of poor communities and small States.
Without realism and a holistic approach in
examining the social and economic conditions within
small States, there is a potential for serious dislocation
when these States attempt to operate within the global
marketplace. As responsible Member States, we have a
genuine obligation to work towards improving the lives
of the disenfranchised. This, I am sure, is the main
reason we are here today. Therefore, we must continue
to right this important chapter in the development of
human security. We must also remain cognizant that, as
members of the global village, we have to discard old
24

suspicions and embrace new partnerships, dialogue and
diversity as necessary components of our
interdependence.
Partnership and understanding will prove
essential in our efforts to tackle common problems
such as drug trafficking and the pandemic of
HIV/AIDS. The special session on HIV/AIDS came at
an important juncture, and we urge Member States to
support the decisions that were taken. In small States,
like Saint Kitts and Nevis, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS
presents one of the most devastating challenges to the
development of human security, because such a disease
threatens to unravel the delicately woven balance of
social growth and economic potential.
Our people are at great risk, and the prospect of
losing decades of development and talented people to
this illness is amazingly real. On top of losing their
young and most productive people, Governments are
expected in turn to reallocate significant amounts of
already meagre resources from critical development
programs to provide costly care and treatment. We
salute the United States Government, the World Bank,
and others for their recent and important initiatives to
help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Caribbean
and we urge others to adopt similar initiatives.
We see what an important role dialogue is playing
in the hemispheric approach at the Organization of
American States (OAS) through the Multilateral
Evaluation Mechanism. This allows member
Governments to collaborate in the fight against drug
trafficking, in supply and demand initiatives and in the
implementation of national or shared strategies. We
believe this approach is useful, because it makes
common approaches more frequent, discourages
unilateral actions and allows member States to share
experiences on interdiction, the epidemiology of drug
abuse and other trends. The fight against drug
trafficking, you will agree, is a transnational one. We
cannot point fingers or apportion blame. We need to
take action.
Saint Kitts and Nevis welcomes the approach of
the OAS, which permits us in the Caribbean to work in
a multilateral framework to find common solutions.
Equally, such a mechanism focuses attention on the
root problems and encourages hemispheric partnership.
We hope that these kinds of approaches will become
integral components of problem solving at the United
Nations.
In closing, the past year was particularly eventful.
We began with the Millennium Summit and concluded
with the HIV/AIDS special session. In between, we
interacted on many contentious issues. It is my hope
that during the new year we can move forward with
renewed vigour, building on the hard work that our
predecessors left in our charge, and paving the way for
a brighter future for those to whom we will pass the
baton. Once again, we salute the President on behalf of
the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.


At the outset, allow me to convey our
deepest condolences to the American people and
Government for today's plane crash and to express our
deepest sympathies to the families of the victims for
their tragic loss. Our condolences also extend to the
people and Government of the Dominican Republic,
whose nationals comprised most of those on board.
Pleading for concerted action against terrorism
and for urgent accession by States to all relevant
international conventions, the Millennium Summit
anticipated the need for more effective and
comprehensive joint efforts and cooperation. The tragic
events of 11 September united the world and reaffirmed
the resolve of all of us to fight the battle against
terrorism, gathered around our common values and
interests. That unprecedented terrorist attack took place
during the United Nations Year of Dialogue among
Civilizations. The fatal message of terrorism is to
destroy the very essence of dialogue as a global
response to conflict and violence.
By adopting several resolutions, the United
Nations demonstrated powerful solidarity and readiness
to combat terrorism. Today that has been reaffirmed by
Security Council resolution 1377 (2001), which
adopted a declaration on the global effort to combat
terrorism.
By expressing its strong condemnation of the
attacks and its solidarity with the American people and
Government, my country, the Republic of Macedonia,
immediately joined the call to establish a global
international anti-terrorist coalition. We undertook
concrete measures as our contribution to the global
efforts and to cooperation to curb terrorist activities.
As a response to terrorism and conscious of the
fact that terrorism transcends borders, we also
proposed the establishment of a regional anti-terrorist
pact, stemming from our terrible experience with
terrorism over the last eight months. We called upon
the international community to cut off financial support
for terrorist activities and, in that context, to strengthen
the fight against organized crime, aware of the strong
link between those evil phenomena. The resolution of
regional conflicts is yet another significant contribution
we can make to the fight against terrorism.
With regard to relevant international instruments,
we believe that the existing United Nations
conventions provide a solid international legal
framework for the implementation of many measures
intended to eradicate terrorism. While we strongly
support the adoption of a comprehensive convention
against terrorism and a consensus on a global definition
of terrorism, their lack should not prevent us from
taking action.
Action is needed now, from all of us  all
countries, regions and international organizations.
There is no alternative to international cooperation and
partnership, as there is no alternative to the common
fight against organized crime, which feeds terrorism.
But there is one matter we have to keep in mind:
different approaches towards acts of terrorism
undermine our struggle. There is no big or small
terrorism, nor international or domestic, nor one that is
tolerated and one that is not. No one should be allowed
to practice terror; the consequences are equally
devastating. We have to defend more vigorously than
ever our shared values of democracy, human rights and
the rule of law. We must not allow ourselves to be
manipulated through the use of social, economic,
religious and political differences as justification for
terrorism.
For the past 10 years the Republic of Macedonia
has developed a democratic society, a factor of stability
in the Balkans. Our model of inter-ethnic relations was
set out as an example and was applauded by the
39

international community. Then, eight months ago,
Macedonia was exposed to violent terrorist attacks that
threatened to undermine all our achievements. Under
the cloak of struggling for minority and human rights,
the so-called National Liberation Army (NLA) ─
whose structure, command and control and logistics are
of Kosovo provenance ─ wanted to realize one aim: the
division of Macedonia and changing the borders in the
region.
Our response to those attacks was military,
political and diplomatic. The Framework Agreement of
13 August of this year, which was signed by the leaders
of the four main political parties, is a result of our
strong commitment to finding a political solution to the
crisis as the best way to defend our country and
undermine the goals of the terrorists. But let me
reiterate that we will also defend our country by other
means if necessary.
The cost of terrorism for Macedonia was high:
lost lives, destroyed homes and thousand of refugees
and internally displaced persons. The crisis also caused
economic downfall and a large budget deficit. It has
had a negative impact on the country's development
and has increased unemployment and poverty rates. I
therefore urge the international community, financial
institutions and, in particular, the European Union to
address our needs at the upcoming donors' conference
and to consider the possibility of writing off our
foreign debts.
At this point, allow me to underline that the
international community gives strong political support
to the Republic of Macedonia. The European Union,
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) and NATO are playing an important
role in overcoming the crisis, for which we are
grateful.
I would also like to commend the prompt reaction
by the Security Council. The awareness that the
problems in Macedonia were largely inspired in and
imported from neighbouring Kosovo resulted in the
adoption of resolution 1345 (2001), by which the
Council, inter alia, strongly condemned extremist
violence, including terrorist activities, and supported
the Macedonian Government in its efforts to end the
violence in a manner consistent with the rule of law.
On 26 September the Council adopted resolution 1371
(2001), which supported the full implementation of the
Framework Agreement and rejected the use of violence
in pursuit of political goals. Even though the United
Nations was not directly involved in the resolution of
the crisis in Macedonia, it is present on the ground
through its agencies, working in cooperation with the
Government to alleviate the consequences. We are
grateful for their help, too.
Despite the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia
and the international community, attempts are still
being made to block the work of the parliament and to
obstruct the implementation of the Framework
Agreement. The latest events in the Tetovo area, the
death of three policemen and the kidnapping of
Macedonian civilians are proof that violence continues.
We should all condemn these obstacles to peace and
stability. Macedonia is determined to pursue the path of
peace and will not allow these events to blur our vision
and detract us from our main goals of building a strong
democracy at home and becoming integrated into Euro-
Atlantic structures.
The recent history of crises has shown more than
ever the importance of cooperation and solidarity
among the countries of our region, and we have acted
accordingly. The integration into the European Union
and NATO is a common goal of all the countries in the
region of South-Eastern Europe. We are all aware that
membership is a solution to lasting stability and
prosperity.
We are determined to contribute to the
strengthening of international peace and security, to
enhancing international cooperation in all areas and to
strengthening the role of the United Nations. This year,
the Republic of Macedonia submitted, and the First
Committee adopted without a vote, a draft resolution
on the maintenance of international security  good-
neighbourliness, stability and development in South-
Eastern Europe. That resolution was co-sponsored by
46 Member States.
The struggle against terrorism must not deter us
from taking up other important parts of the United
Nations agenda. At last year's Millennium Summit we
identified the direction of future United Nations
activities to which we committed ourselves: the
eradication of poverty, the struggle against AIDS,
conflict prevention and the protection of the
environment. On this occasion, however, let me refer to
the matter of the rights and well-being of children, and
in that context to reiterate the importance of the
upcoming special session on children as a forum to
40

review the progress achieved and the further steps that
need to be taken for the benefit of children all over the
world.
Furthermore, globalization remains one of the
most important issues on the international agenda. It is
obvious that there are some essential problems that
need to be addressed immediately. In the new
millennium, it is crucial for the international
community to address the development agenda in a
more appropriate way. We believe that the United
Nations has a major role to play in this process. Next
year's International Conference on Financing for
Development and the World Summit on Sustainable
Development are the most important events in this
respect, and we should all contribute as best we can to
their successful outcome. Another important issue is
the launching of the new comprehensive trade
negotiations under World Trade Organization
patronage, with special emphasis on the problems of
marginalization, sustainable development and
implementation of all multilateral environmental
agreements.
After 11 September, the world changed. We have
to adjust to the new realities. There are many
challenges ahead of us, and the United Nations has to
be better prepared to deal with them. That will require
even greater commitment on our part. The strength and
the success of our Organization depend on the resolve
of all its Members to respond to the new realities in a
more efficient, relevant and adroit manner. We all have
our part to play in this respect. This is the best
contribution we can make to building a better world for
all of us.
Last, but not least, allow me also to extend my
sincere congratulations to the United Nations and to its
Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on the Nobel Peace
Prize award. This is yet another proof of the lasting
relevance of the principles and values of our
Organization as enshrined in the United Nations
Charter and of the outstanding leadership of its
Secretary-General.


This session
that is taking place under extraordinary circumstances,
when the whole world is still reeling in shock from the
world’s most terrible terrorist attacks, carried out in
New York and Washington. This unprecedented action,
aimed against the civilian population, has provided yet
one more confirmation that terrorism poses a threat to
the whole world and has highlighted the relevance of
the proposals to join the international community’s
efforts in its common fight against terrorism, drug
trafficking and organized crime.
Our country calls for international legal norms to
be strengthened and for further mobilization of States’
efforts to counter international terrorism. Taking into
consideration the developments in the world that are
identified with this growing threat, we support the
initiative regarding the early adoption of a
comprehensive convention against international
terrorism.
Afghanistan’s transformation into one of the sore
spots of our planet was a matter of concern for
Kazakhstan well before the events of 11 September.
During the Millennium Summit, the President of the
Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, taking
into account the potential danger of a spillover of the
intra-Afghan conflict, proposed to convene a special
meeting of the Security Council devoted to the
consideration of the situation in Afghanistan and
Central Asia in order to devise comprehensive
measures to settle the situation in the Islamic State of
Afghanistan.
Welcoming Security Council resolution 1378
(2001), unanimously adopted on 14 November, we
share the Secretary-General’s view that the Security
Council should adopt a comprehensive approach to
settling the situation in the Islamic State of
Afghanistan and its political, military, economic,
humanitarian and human rights dimensions. Such an
approach, in his opinion, ought to be based on a careful
diagnosis of the current situation in Afghanistan, based
on the premise that no military solution to the Afghan
conflict is possible, or indeed acceptable, since
territorial gains achieved on the battlefield do not
constitute a basis for the legitimatization of power.
The issue of nuclear disarmament and non-
proliferation is of special significance to our country.
This year we mark the tenth anniversary of our
independence, as well as the tenth anniversary of the
shutdown of the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground,
which represented an important step towards a nuclear-
free, stable and safe world and its deliverance from the
spectre of global Armageddon. The harm that was done
first and foremost to the people of Kazakhstan was
acknowledged by the participants of the conference
entitled “The Twenty-First Century: Towards a
Nuclear-Weapon-Free World”, which was held from 29
to 30 August 2001 in Almaty.
Nuclear-weapon tests have caused the destruction
of the landscape, ecosystem, economic structure and
traditional way of life of the people in the affected
areas, which happen to be the historical centres of
Kazakh statehood and culture. We are grateful to our
partners who, in line with the three resolutions adopted
by the General Assembly, are helping to rehabilitate the
area of the testing ground, including the conversion of
infrastructure. Yet, much remains to be done. We
believe that the financial aid, experience and expertise
of international organizations, donor countries and non-
governmental entities play an important role in
addressing the problems of the affected region. The
outcome of the Almaty Conference has demonstrated
that the well-being of the planet, which is so cherished,
should be achieved not through threats and the use of
weapons, but exclusively through peaceful means such
as negotiation and dialogue.
Acknowledging the necessity of strengthening
stability and security at both the regional and global
levels, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Mr. Nursultan Nazarbaev, addressing the forty-seventh
session of the General Assembly, put forward an
initiative to convene a conference on interaction and
confidence-building measures in Asia. Leaders of 16
Asian countries are to meet for the first time in Almaty
in the first half of the year 2002 to discuss threats to
regional peace and security, to arrive at a shared vision
of forms and modalities of addressing such threats and
to agree on confidence-building measures and the
establishment of the structures and institutions of the
Conference. The work carried out so far shows that
compromise solutions are quite possible, even with
respect to differences that seem irreconcilable. In that
context, the Conference represents a forum based on
principles that are conceptually new for Asia, namely,
37

trust and cooperation as a means to ensure security and
stability.
Globalization, which has become a dominant
factor in international life, opens up vast opportunities
for social and economic development. At the same time
the United Nations should actively help to solve
current global trends associated with serious problems.
We call for an increased contribution on the part of the
Organization to improving the global environment for
sustainable development and to bridging the gap
between developed and developing countries. The
development of a globalization model for the modern
world — beginning with its economic component —
that would fully take into account the interests of all
countries could become a priority objective of the
Organization within the framework of the current
reforms at the United Nations. More active efforts by
the United Nations to promote the integration of
economies in transition into the world economy are
becoming especially important for Kazakhstan.
Against the background of irreversible growth in
global interrelationship, regional integration, which is
actively supported by our country, is gaining
momentum. Kazakhstan attaches great importance to
cooperation within the framework of the Economic
Cooperation Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, the Eurasian Economic Community, the
Central Asian Economic Community and other regional
economic organizations, and will contribute as much as
it can to building up their capacity and their
international standing. We consider it a priority to
develop cooperation with the United Nations in such
areas as strengthening the social security system
through efforts to fight poverty and unemployment;
developing transportation infrastructure by maintaining
and improving highways and railroads; solving the
problems of rivers in border areas; and supplying
drinking water in a number of regions.
We intend to take full advantage of the
geographical position of our country and of the
favourable location of continental transit routes. That
endeavour will be helped by an international
ministerial conference of land-locked countries devoted
to transit and transportation issues, which will be
convened in Kazakhstan in 2003 with the assistance of
the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development.
A transition to environmentally sound and
sustainable development is a priority goal of the
strategy to ensure the economic growth of Kazakhstan.
Stabilizing and improving the quality of the
environment in the Aral Sea basin are of overriding
importance to our country. Kazakhstan has called, and
will continue to call, for an integrated approach to
solving the problems of the Aral Sea and for wider
participation in the effort being made by the
programmes of the United Nations system.
The participation of the United Nations is also
important in solving the host of problems related to the
development of the Caspian Sea region. The problem
of the Caspian Sea has outgrown its regional
boundaries and has become global. As an effective tool
of regional and global economic partnership, the
United Nations has a role to play to implement a policy
of preventive diplomacy in the region in order to work
out an agreed programme for the development of the
Caspian Sea.
The process of globalization, which is
characterized by growing interdependence among
States in all spheres of life, presents new challenges for
the international community. In those circumstances,
multilateral efforts by the community of nations to find
adequate answers to new challenges and threats play an
exceptionally important role. Kazakhstan supports
strengthening the central role and authority of the
United Nations in efforts to ensure global stability and
to build equitable relations between States and peoples
based on mutual respect and universal values. We call
for increased efficiency of the United Nations system
as a whole, including the Security Council, its principal
organ responsible for the maintenance of international
peace and security. In that regard, Kazakhstan fully
supports the need for adequate implementation of the
decisions taken at the Millennium Summit and fully
shares the development goals and objectives set out by
the international community in the Millennium
Declaration.
The recent decision to award the Nobel Peace
Prize to the United Nations and its Secretary-General is
a sign of recognition of the Organization’s contribution
to strengthening international cooperation —
cooperation aimed at the maintenance of peace and
security for the sake of succeeding generations and in
the interests of the prosperity of the peoples of all
countries. That award has demonstrated that the United
38

Nations plays a special role in efforts to strengthen
global partnerships for international purposes.


I am honoured to address
the General Assembly. Speaking on behalf of the
people and the Government of Tuvalu, I extend
Tuvalu’s greetings to the Assembly at its fifty-sixth
session and our congratulations to the President and the
Vice-Presidents of the Assembly on their election. I
22

also pledge Tuvalu’s full support and cooperation
during their term of office.
As we come to the end of this general debate, we
are still overshadowed by the loss of many innocent
lives and property as the result of the barbaric terrorist
attack on America in September. We are further
saddened by the losses earlier this week resulting from
the plane accident in our host state, New York, and our
host country, America. Tuvalu therefore joins others in
reiterating to the people and Government of America
our strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks and our
pledge of strong solidarity with the United States of
America.
Let me also convey Tuvalu’s deepest sorrow and
sympathy to the families of the victims of the plane
crash, and offer our prayers to the people and
Government of America, and equally to the people and
Government of the Dominican Republic. We wholly
share their bereavement and grief.
As the newest Member of the United Nations,
having joined on the eve of the historic Millennium
Summit last year, Tuvalu is more than ever aware of its
responsibilities to the United Nations and what the
Organization stands for. In June this year, Tuvalu
established its Permanent Mission here in New York.
Although this has been costly, Tuvalu believes the cost
is offset by what the United Nations stands for. Our
presence in the General Assembly reflects a basic
belief we hold true: that the United Nations, through its
enfranchising activities, can help Tuvalu and other
countries like us by being an advocate with regard to
the issues that concern us most.
Tuvalu is proud that the Nobel Peace Prize for
2001 was awarded to our Secretary-General and the
United Nations itself. This award is a telling
recognition of the vast contributions the United
Nations has made in so many fields and on so many
fronts: to peace around the world; to the protection of
the individual, no matter his or her origin or
circumstances; and to the upholding of the basic United
Nations principle that every human being should have
every opportunity to lead a better and more fulfilling
life. We congratulate the Secretary-General and the
Organization for this recognition.
There is no doubt in Tuvalu that peace and
stability are indispensable to the well-being of
freedom-loving people everywhere. The world cannot
ignore threats to peace and stability, no matter what
their causes may be, be they economic, social or
environmental. The terrorist attacks in the United
States of America and what has happened around the
world since 11 September have made those of us here
in this great Hall today feel very anxious. However, the
very cause of this anxiety points clearly to the proper
role of the United Nations. The General Assembly
must be a strong advocate of what the Secretary-
General, in his new road map, calls a new “culture of
prevention”.
In our view, pursuit of this new culture is worthy
and must take advantage of the new spirit of
cooperation that is now emerging to facilitate the
elimination of the causes of terrorism and threats to
peace and stability. In this regard, it is imperative to
address problems in an open and representative
dialogue based on consensus and mutual respect and
understanding.
The consensus-building approach that we in the
Pacific region often call the “Pacific way” may well
prove useful in our collective venture for universal
cooperation. Tuvalu is committed to its obligation to
adhere to the United Nations resolutions to eliminate
terrorism, and thus is taking steps to accede to the 12
United Nations and international conventions on
terrorism. But to honour such obligations in practice is
easier said than done. We need technical and financial
support from the international community to build up
our legislative, surveillance and enforcement tools if
we are to have any hope of meeting these obligations
beyond our present capabilities.
Also, we must not lose sight of the need for
strong coalitions to deal with other pressing global
issues, including conflicts and wars; the challenges of
globalization; poverty and underdevelopment; and the
effects of environmental degradation and climate
change.
Universal cooperation against threats to peace
and stability cannot, however, be fully achieved as long
as the United Nations lacks the will to recognize fair
and just representation within it of a democratic and
economically developed State with a population of 23
million. The Republic of China on Taiwan is also
suffering in the aftermath of the 11 September terrorist
attacks, having lost innocent lives as well as property.
Like us, they suffer from the onslaught of natural
disasters; epidemics and diseases, including the HIV/
AIDS pandemic; and other threats of instability.
23

Yet in all these crises, and despite their enormous
contribution to the world economy and international
development — including technological
advancement — as well as their consistent
demonstration of international responsibility, the
people of the Republic of China on Taiwan have been
left to fend for themselves, denied the right to proper
representation and collaboration, not only in the United
Nations and its specialized agencies, such as the World
Health Organization, but in nearly every other
intergovernmental body. The voice with which they
could share their plight and thereby benefit from world
cooperation is silenced. However, the irony is that for
more than 50 years, no authority other than the
Republic of China on Taiwan itself has had full
sovereign control over Taiwan, its population and the
running of its affairs. To visit the country, for example,
one must have immigration papers issued by its own
authorities.
While we welcome the wise decision of the
World Trade Organization last week to admit the
Republic of China on Taiwan, it is Tuvalu’s strong
view that the United Nations must take the lead and
seriously reconsider United Nations membership for
the Republic of China on Taiwan, beyond the politics
of exclusion and on the basis of the reality of things.
In Tuvalu and many other countries in the Pacific,
we know that our economic vulnerability is fertile
ground for forces of terror that can threaten the security
and survival not only of the islands, but also of the
region and the world. We are worried about the
growing global interdependence and what that may
bring to our shores. We need to improve our ability to
share and disseminate information on transnational
crimes, particularly those involving drug trafficking,
money laundering, bogus investments, and other
dangerous and dubious schemes that often arrive in the
Pacific islands under the pretext of being legitimate.
We believe that, if we are left on our own, these
threats will continue to expose Tuvalu and other Pacific
island countries to forces outside our control. It is vital,
therefore, that individual Pacific island Governments
be given the back-up that is needed to boost their
ability to tackle security threats and fight crime. The
existing regional security arrangements under the
Pacific Islands Forum and its sister regional agencies
in the Pacific can, indeed, play a vital role. However,
they need to be further strengthened to enable them to
complement national security efforts more effectively.
Further solidifying of cooperation between our regional
organizations and the United Nations, moreover, is
fundamental to the success of national and regional
efforts vital for regional and global security.
I should like to add here that Tuvalu highly
commends the role played by the United Nations and
other international organizations and major countries in
helping restore peace in the Pacific following the
recent turbulence in the region.
Tuvalu is not in a good position to take advantage
of the opportunities offered by trade liberalization.
Like many island countries, Tuvalu currently lacks the
know-how, trained people and adequate infrastructure
to reap the benefits that are enjoyed here. If there is
benefit for Tuvalu in a free trade world — and we
believe there is — then surely Tuvalu must have in
place the means that would allow us to reap that
benefit.
In more ways than one, small island developing
States such as Tuvalu are at the sharp end, the cutting
edge, of development. For us, overseas development
aid is indispensable to the development and sustenance
of basic services necessary for security and survival.
Our priorities continue to be education, health services
and fresh water.
While we commend with great appreciation the
generosity of our development partners, particularly
our traditional partners, it has to be noted that Tuvalu
and other small island developing States, like the
landlocked and least developed countries and other
developing countries, will for some time continue to
rely on external financing through official development
assistance to address their unique development needs.
In our view, the International Conference on
Financing for Development and the World Summit on
Sustainable Development, both of which will be held
next year, must also capitalize on the premises laid out
under the reviewed Barbados Programme of Action for
the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States, the outcome of the United Nations
Conference on the Least Developed Countries and the
Secretary-General’s road map towards the
implementation of the United Nations Millennium
Declaration as the key tools to address the unique
circumstances and vulnerabilities of small island
developing States. Ultimately, this must lead to more
effective delivery of assistance that is flexible and
more responsive to the sustainable development needs
24

of small island developing States and of developing
countries in general.
With limited exploitable resources, Tuvalu, like
many other small island developing States, relies
heavily on the surrounding seas for its food security
and economic development. The proper protection of
the oceans from hazardous pollution is therefore vital,
and the sustainable management and exploitation of
fisheries and other marine resources is extremely
important to our sustainable development and survival.
Building local capacity to conserve, manage and
harvest marine resources in a sustainable manner is
crucial and should therefore be supported.
As has already been said in this debate, the
biggest long-term threat to the people of Tuvalu is
posed by the effects of climate change, in particular
rising sea levels. Recent reports released by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have
confirmed beyond doubt the correlation between
accelerated atmospheric warming and sea-level rise. In
Tuvalu too it is our strong belief that the weather is
growing more severe, hotter and drier, and that there
have been unusually high seas eroding foreshores and
intruding into freshwater lenses. We believe that the
cumulative effect of carbon dioxide emissions in
industrial and other countries into the atmosphere has,
in sum, created a future that is very uncertain in
Tuvalu.
It may not be known in this Hall but unique
within the United Nations membership are the
Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Those four countries are the only Member States that
consist entirely of low-lying coral atolls and reef
islands. In the event of further rising sea levels, where
are we to hide? Eventually asking countries to take us
in as environmental refugees is not what Tuvalu is after
in the long run. What we prefer is that our great-
grandchildren should grow up the way I did and the
way my wife and our brothers and sisters did in our
island communities, learning the traditions, customs
and culture of Tuvalu, and living our way of life.
Tuvalu is not alone in sharing that view. Tens of
millions of people who live on islands or in coastal
communities face the gloomy onslaught of rising sea
levels. Such vulnerable geography is everywhere. How
ironic it would be if decades from now the last Member
to enter the United Nations, Tuvalu, were the first
Member State to withdraw because it had disappeared
without a trace.
In the shrinking world we live in, environmental
pollution has never known artificial boundaries. The
presence of higher than normal levels of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere is a legacy of development in
industrial countries spanning the past 200 years. I hope
that industrial countries realize that nature is now
imposing a penalty for that development.
Unfortunately, it is Tuvalu and others with little or
nothing to do with the causes which are now forced to
pay.
While we are heartened by the positive outcome
of the seventh Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
held at Marrakesh, and while we are looking forward to
the full implementation of that Convention and of the
Kyoto Protocol commitments, we would also hope that
goodwill will prevail beyond instruments and
conventions to assist those most affected to adapt to the
immediate and long-term effects of climate change.
This is not the time to shrink from environmental
and survival responsibility. Like the international war
being waged against terrorism, a global solution to the
threat posed by climate change and sea-level rise will
save Tuvalu and many other small island States from
disappearing. Our collective resolve to remove causes
of terrorism and threats to peace and security, including
poverty and underdevelopment, HIV/AIDS and
environmental degradation, will ensure a truly peaceful
and secure village for all of humanity.
May God bless the United Nations; may God
bless its peoples.


The terrorist attacks of
11 September are going to thoroughly change the
world, but we do not yet know how. The aftermath of
these events has shown that there are more issues that
unite us than issues that separate us. We also know that
preventing terrorism and other global threats requires
the broadest possible cooperation. The United Nations
is the main forum for such cooperation. This was
demonstrated immediately after the attacks, when both
the General Assembly and the Security Council
promptly condemned the terrorist attacks as threats to
international peace and security and expressed their
readiness to combat all forms of terrorism. Now it is
extremely urgent to finalize the negotiations on a
comprehensive convention on the suppression of
international terrorism. I appeal to everyone to quickly
agree on the outstanding draft in question.
These attacks have also profoundly affected our
sense of security, both as Member States and as
individuals. Fear and insecurity were globalized
overnight. But democratic societies cannot be
destroyed by such acts. When faced with threats our
common values and democracy will only get stronger.
Finland condemns terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, and whoever its victims may be. There
is no justification for it.
I extend, on behalf of the Government of Finland,
our condolences to the families of the victims, to the
citizens of New York and to all Americans, including
President Bush. We have expressed our solidarity with
the United States, as we would have done with any
other country affected by such attacks.
The rapidly changing world and the new threats
require changed thinking in the international
organizations. We must respond quickly and efficiently
to the challenges of the real world. We cannot bury
ourselves in old rhetoric and positions when people
outside require concrete action and help. International
cooperation, after all, benefits all States, big and small.
23

I hope that the unique coalition and cooperation against
terrorism will be reflected on other issues of common
concern to us.
The statement in the Millennium Declaration that
the United Nations is
“the indispensable common house of the entire
human family, through which we will seek to
realize our universal aspirations for peace,
cooperation and development” (resolution 55/2,
para. 32)
is now truer than ever. The fight against terrorism and
the Afghan situation are at the top of the United
Nations agenda, but there are other issues and
processes that require true cooperation in order to be
successful. In this context, I would like to underline the
establishment of the International Criminal Court and
the world conferences on sustainable development,
financing for development and children.
One of our common responsibilities is the
maintenance of international peace and security. This is
one of the issues that unites us and is in everybody’s
interest. The United Nations is the only international
organization with global competence in the area of
security policies. Ongoing crises are, however, so
complex that they require united efforts and combined
resources. This is particularly true of the Middle East,
where a return to the peace process is an urgent
necessity. To this end, we will have to pressure both
parties, as well as those who can influence them.
The complexity of international crises has
required a close and comprehensive look by the United
Nations at how to improve its performance in peace
operations. The whole continuum that reaches from
conflict prevention, through crisis management to post-
conflict peace-building, with a strong emphasis on
preventive action in every phase, requires a fresh
approach, as proposed in the report of the Brahimi
Panel and in the comprehensive review of the
Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Finland
supports the full implementation of such an approach.
The report of the Secretary-General on the
prevention of armed conflicts and its recommendations
are important contributions to the core activities of the
United Nations. The Secretary-General’s call,
reiterated by the Security Council, on the development
of a comprehensive conflict-prevention strategy is
timely and warranted. By the adoption of the
Programme for the Prevention of Violent Conflicts, the
European Union has underlined its political
commitment to pursue conflict prevention as one of the
main objectives in its external relations. This is also a
good example of mutually supportive actions by the
United Nations and the European Union. This is again
an issue that requires a holistic view and a system-wide
approach.
Finland supports increased focus on the part of
the United Nations on crisis prevention and the root
causes of conflicts. Promotion of democracy, human
rights, the rule of law, increased equality and social
development, as well as the prevention of
environmental threats and the eradication of poverty,
discrimination, racism and impunity, all point in the
same direction.
The complexity of current crises — be they in
Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Balkans or Africa —
and the limited resources available have made different
organizations seek cooperation and complementarity in
their actions. Chapter VIII of the United Nations
Charter puts strong emphasis on regional arrangements
aimed at dealing with issues relating to international
peace and security. The Security Council should utilize
such regional arrangements for enforcement action.
The European Union is in the process of
developing its own crisis-management capability, in
terms of both civilian and military capacities. In this
work, Finland, just like the entire European Union, is
committed to contributing to international peace and
security, in accordance with the principles of the
United Nations Charter.
The European Union has adopted conclusions on
its cooperation in conflict prevention and crisis
management with the United Nations. Areas and
modalities for such cooperation have been identified in
close cooperation with the United Nations. It will
progress as the European Common Security and
Defence Policy develops its focus on substantive issues
and concrete needs in a pragmatic manner. This
cooperation focuses on conflict prevention, civilian and
military aspects of crisis management and on regional
crises like the ones in the western Balkans, the Middle
East and Africa.
There will be a wider and more concrete scope
for cooperation within two years when the European
Union achieves its military capability. At present, it is
difficult to say what kind of operations the European
24

Union could or would execute and when it could do so.
In Finland’s case, our law requires that either the
United Nations or the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe mandate such an operation.
In today’s complex crises civilian aspects of crisis
management have and will become all the more
relevant in all organizations. The European Union has
developed its civilian capabilities in four priority areas,
namely civilian police, strengthening the rule of law,
strengthening civilian administration and civil
protection. In these areas, the European Union and the
United Nations, as well as other international
organizations, must also seek synergies and
complementarity.
The Millennium Summit and the Millennium
Declaration are outstanding achievements in the history
of the United Nations. The Declaration manifests a
unique commitment to multilateralism by all the
Member States of the United Nations. It sets an
ambitious agenda and goals for the United Nations for
years to come. However, without effective
implementation it is only a piece of paper. Its
implementation also requires common action and
strengthened commitment to multilateralism. The
Secretary-General’s road map gives us guidance on
how to maintain the millennium momentum and how to
proceed, although the onus is on the Member States.
This year alone the United Nations has organized
five conferences and special sessions and hundreds of
other meetings that are an integral part of the follow-up
and implementation of the Millennium Declaration.
These processes should show the same kind of
commitment as was encountered in the Summit.
Unfortunately, I have to say that none of these recent
conferences and special sessions has come close to
reflecting the commitment that was so noticeable in the
Millennium Summit. We need invigorated common
efforts to genuinely implement the ambitious agenda
adopted only a year ago and to uphold multilateralism.
I hope we can see improvement in this respect in
coming summits and conferences.
The moral and political commitment to the
Declaration should lead to its effective implementation.
The strong support for these common objectives and
our determination to achieve them need much more
action in order to become a reality. Such challenges as
halving, by the year 2015, the proportion of people
living in poverty should not be jeopardized by narrow
national interests.
Globalization and harnessing it to benefit all
humankind remain one of the major challenges to the
international community. A common approach is
needed in this work too. We have to learn how to deal
with the paradox of democracy spreading across the
world, and there is much disillusionment about its
workings. The key to explaining this paradox is
globalization. It poses a demand to develop strong,
new, democratic policies and institutions for
international and global governance. They must be
developed in the United Nations, but also at the
regional level, such as in the European Union.
The Government of Finland recently prepared a
study on Finnish policies on globalization. One of its
main conclusions was that in resolving multinational
crises created by globalization, the role of cooperation
between national Governments will be growing, not
diminishing. The United Nations is the most universal
forum for intergovernmental cooperation. Finland
supports the United Nations as one of the central actors
in harnessing globalization at the universal level.


In the name of Allah, most compassionate, most merciful.
Blessing and peace be upon the most noble of prophets.

Mr. President:
It gives me great pleasure to extend to you and to your friendly country, the Republic of Korea, our sincere congratulations on your election as President of this General Assembly, expressing full confidence that you will steer the business of this important session competently and effectively.

I would also like to express our gratitude to the President of the previous session of the General Assembly, Mr. Harri Holkeri, who managed its business with wisdom and expertise, in a way that deserves our thanks and appreciation.
It is also my pleasure on this occasion to greet His Excellency the Secretary-General and extend my thanks and appreciation for his continued efforts to establish peace and security in the world, maintain the role of the Organization and raise its efficiency in order to restore credibility and effectiveness.
Mr. President:
The international community is still going through the aftermath of the horrendous disaster that befell the United States of America on September 11, resulting in huge material losses and the death of thousands of innocent victims:  tremendous damage that cannot yet be reckoned or determined, such was the gravity of the catastrophe, its depth and repercussions.
An earnest global direction has emerged, to stand resolutely and firmly against whoever is proved to be responsible for or connected with this heinous criminal act; and to attempt every way and means conducive to the eradication of the phenomenon of international terrorism that has lately been spreading and from which various nations and countries have suffered irrespective of their affiliation or ethnicity.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was one of the first states to express its absolute condemnation and strong denunciation of what happened in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Without hesitation it has contributed to any effort or alliance aimed at the eradication of this perilous scourge that threatens us all. This stance of the Kingdom is in harmony with its constant and continuing policies against terrorism and its perpetrators. The Kingdom itself has suffered from terrorism, and has taken numerous administrative, legal and security measures to combat it and eliminate it; to curb terrorist actions and practices, or at least to minimize the possibilities of their occurrence.
Mr. President:
Our meeting during this session, convened just two months after the New York disaster, and a few miles from ground zero, must take us from the phase of shock and sorrow at what happened to the phase of earnest action and the adoption of practical and effective means for combating terrorism: to sever its roots and causes. It is therefore most fitting to take up the spirit expressed by His Excellency President George W. Bush in his address to this distinguished forum a few days ago, in which he stressed that the time is ripe to move together seriously and purposefully in confronting this joint enemy, and not be satisfied merely with denunciation, repudiation, and the expression of sorrow.
On our part, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, even prior to the September incident, had in fact taken a series of measures and regulations that prove our seriousness in anti-terrorism endeavors. For example, my country enacted a series of laws and regulations related to combating terrorism and inflicting harsh punishment on its perpetrators. It has adopted financial and banking measures that restrict the potential for extremist groups to benefit from means of financial support to facilitate implementation of their plans.
At the regional level the Kingdom was one of the first signatories to the Arab Convention for Combating Terrorism issued in 1998 by the League of Arab States, as well as the Convention on Combating Terrorism of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. At the international level, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has acceded to numerous UN agreements concerning terrorism. It is on the point of joining two agreements: the International Convention on Terrorist Bombings, and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
Mr. President:
There is a fact that should not be overlooked concerning the growing global concern on the issue of terrorism, in the context of crystallizing policies and adopting international agreements designed to combat it. The mere enactment of laws and regulations to combat terrorism, while essential, is not enough by itself to prevent incidents of terrorist action.
Eradication of terrorism requires all of us to move towards eliminating the infrastructure that is relied on by terrorist groups scattered all over the world, the infrastructure that is providing them the means of support and publicity. In this context we should remember that certain countries grant privileges and immunities to those who resort to them under cover of "political opposition", with the result that they are able to avail themselves of freedom of movement in any country that hosts them, exploiting its laws and spreading their propaganda, making contacts and sending hate messages, attempting to influence public opinion and instigate the performance of violent and terrorist activities within that country. If we are serious in fighting terrorism, we must close this door in the face of anyone who wishes to exploit a country to achieve an end that may seem legitimate for some but in reality is a path leading to violence and terrorism that has no relation to a just cause.
The other issue that we should understand and pay attention to, particularly in light of the feelings generated by the events in New York and Washington, is the necessity to be aware that if the process of combating terrorism takes the form of accusing particular nationalities or religious groups, and is motivated by prejudice and bias, from an angle of generalization devoid of rationale or firm evidence, then this haste in accusation and spreading unfounded allegations such as linking terrorism and terrorists to Islam, will benefit only those who aim at propagating the idea of a clash of civilizations, which we believe is the basic objective of those who committed the events of September. Following such confrontational trends will result only in contributing to the achievement of the aims of the terrorists themselves.
We look forward to the United Nations, as the body that represents all of us without exception, to make the international endeavors against terrorism sincere global efforts devoid of discrimination and bias, and for the service of all members of the international community, protecting them from the evil of terrorism, including official terrorism that is supported by states.
Within the framework of its endeavors to combat terrorism, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has supported all efforts that stem from our international Organization, whether acceding to international agreements as mentioned earlier, or through endorsing the relevant resolutions on this topic, including Security Council Resolutions 1368 and 1373 (2001).
My country supports the call for convening an international conference on terrorism to be held under the auspices of the United Nations, with one of its prime functions that of putting a specific definition to terrorism:  distinguishing terrorism as a serious phenomenon threatening the security and stability of the international community, from the right of nations to struggle and resist occupation in accordance with the provisions of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Mr. President:
Combating terrorism requires from all of us diligent action in order to solve unresolved issues that inflame hatred, inculcate bitterness, implant mistrust and deepen the feelings of oppression and lack of justice. When we state this matter our intention is not to link terrorism to any other issue, because we recognize very well that combating terrorism is an issue that requires our concerted effort irrespective of any other consideration. What we should pay attention to and take into consideration, however, is the necessity for not availing any opportunity to the terrorists to sneak in and exploit unresolved issues in justifying their terrorist activities, thereby linking their practices to such issues.
It is our duty in this case to undo any such linkage, in a positive manner that will deprive the terrorists of any justification on which to base the implementation of their plans. From this perspective, we call for acceleration of finding a just solution to the Palestinian issue, one that is not looked at as a response to the terrorists' pressures but to a pressure from our side to deprive the terrorists from exploiting the continuation of this issue that is suspended without resolution.
This is exactly what makes us look with full appreciation to what has been stated in the address of the President of the United States of America before the General Assembly where he indicated - in the context of his reference to this issue - that violence in Palestine is the responsibility of all parties and not one particular party, and that it is the right of both Israel and Palestine to live jointly as independent states. The peace process should not be derailed by sporadic incidents of violence. The optimal way to stop violence is in getting the peace process to its desired target through reviving it and integrating it according to its principles and grounds, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy particularly Resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of land for peace.
Mr. President:
The war going on in Afghanistan represents one of the ramifications of the situation that the Afghan problem has reached, and that has led to an environment in which international terrorism found fertile ground in which to implement its plans and objectives.  With all our understanding of the motivation of the international coalition in launching its military campaign against the hideout of terrorism in Afghanistan, what we fear is that this campaign will be constrained by its military framework and the consequences of exposing Afghan civilians to greater suffering and displacement without achieving any acceptable objectives or outcome, and possibly exposing the future of Afghanistan to more trouble, division, and instability.
Therefore, the Kingdom has done its best to avert Afghanistan from such a painful destiny, while contributing to the direction of the international coalition towards the path that is in harmony with the spirit of the Security Council resolutions relevant to the Afghan issue. As such, we have submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations a perspective that embodies a number of ideas designed to safeguard the autonomy of Afghanistan and place it on the road leading to stability and development; and that on the other hand, will help eradicate terrorists and those collaborating with them by providing them with protection and a safe haven in Afghan territory.
Military action alone cannot, in our opinion, lead to achieving the desired objective in Afghanistan, and therefore it is imperative to depend on a political perspective that assists in achieving the targets of the coalition on the one hand, and on the other, safeguards Afghanistan's stable political future.
Mr. President:
Today the international community is most in need of joint endeavor and cooperation in order to devise solutions on which agreement comes as a result of our collective thought and the outcome of our joint action on the basis of justice and equality. It is imperative to strive to reach agreement on the parameters of international existence based on respect for human values, traditions and principles, to realize peace, stability and development, as well as to encourage the setting up of creative dialogue and positive interaction among global cultures in order to realize understanding and enhance international cooperation with the aim of achieving peace, security, stability and welfare for all nations and peoples.
May God's peace and blessings be upon you.