At the outset, I wish to express how deeply
saddened we are over the crash of the American
Airlines aircraft a few hours ago, a few miles away
from this Headquarters, in the borough of Queens in
New York City. Let me express our deep condolences
to the families of the victims and to our friends in this
country.
I have the honour to convey to Mr. Han Seung-
soo, on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, our sincere
congratulations on his election to the presidency of the
General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session. His
election to this high office shows the high regard the
international community has for him personally as well
as for his friendly country, South Korea, with which
my country maintains good relations. We are confident
that thanks to his experience in international affairs the
Assembly will achieve positive results, and we wish
him and his staff every success.
Let me also extend my thanks to his predecessor,
Mr. Harri Holkeri, for the valuable efforts he exerted in
conducting the work of the previous session.
I should also like to take this opportunity to
congratulate Secretary-General Kofi Annan on his re-
election for a second term to this high office and on
being awarded, together with the United Nations
Organization, the Nobel Peace Prize. We would like to
convey to him our appreciation for his persistent
efforts, which are bound to contribute to enabling the
Organization to accomplish its lofty mission of
maintaining international peace and security and
achieving sustainable international development.
This session is being held at a very critical stage,
when the United States of America has been subjected
to the most horrific and dangerous forms of organized
39

terrorism that not only targeted the lives of thousands
of innocent civilian men, women and children, but also
the moral codes and values underlying the human and
cultural principles that are enshrined in the Charter, the
norms of international law and the foundations and
concepts of the legal, political, economic and social
institutions that shape the nature of our international
relations as a whole.
The United Arab Emirates, which was deeply
shocked after this reprehensible, immoral and criminal
act, reiterates today its strong denunciation and
condemnation of these savage acts and all other forms
of terrorism, wherever they may be. They constitute the
clearest challenges to international peace and security
in the twenty-first century. We also announce our
complete support for and cooperation with the United
States Government as well as all the regional and
international efforts aimed at tracking down the
perpetrators of these brutal acts, bringing them to
justice. We also stress our readiness to contribute to
any international campaign aimed at eliminating
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. At the
same time, we call upon the international community to
strengthen the mechanisms and scope of relief aid for
the Afghan people, who have been afflicted by brutal
wars for over two decades and who presently face the
most horrible and unprecedented internal displacement.
The changes that we are witnessing in the nature
of international relations today, and the accompanying
accelerated trends in the fields of globalization,
technology, modern communications and economic
openness have not only had a positive impact on the
lives and interests of certain States and peoples but
have rather contributed to widening the security,
economic, social, cultural and information gap and
differences between the peoples of the developed and
the developing countries. At the same time, they have
helped to spawn new situations of conflict, civil and
ethnic wars and transnational problems. Accordingly,
we believe that the first steps to be taken to confront
the totality of these problems require, primarily,
finding a clear, comprehensive and balanced strategy of
regional and international cooperation that takes into
consideration, as a matter of priority, the extent to
which the concept of international security and peace,
on the one hand, and the problems of humanitarian
need and sustainable development, on the other, are
linked.
In this context, we stress the importance of the
assumption by the United Nations, in cooperation and
coordination with other regional organizations, of a
larger role in international affairs. We believe in
dialogue and peaceful negotiations as an ideal approach
for resolving disputes. We therefore look forward to a
response from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the call
by the United Arab Emirates to find a peaceful
settlement to the occupation of our three islands,
Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Moussa, either
through direct negotiations or by referring the dispute
to the International Court of Justice to be resolved on
the basis of the purposes and principles of the Charter
and the principles of international law.
We also hope that the visit to Tehran of His
Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan,
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on 23 July 2001,
and that of Mr. Mohamed Ali Abtahi, the Iranian
President’s envoy, to Abu Dhabi on 6 August 2001,
will contribute to the serious efforts being made to find
a peaceful solution to the issue of Iran’s occupation of
our three islands, promote confidence-building and
enhance the principle of peaceful coexistence, mutual
cooperation and good-neighbourliness.
Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates would
like once again to welcome the acceptance by the two
fraternal States of Qatar and Bahrain of the decision of
the International Court of Justice on the settlement of
their previous disagreement over the disputed areas. It
also notes with satisfaction the arrangements made for
the demarcation of the boundaries between some
countries of the region and stresses that continuation of
such an approach and peaceful trends in international
relations will strengthen the foundations of regional
and international peace and security.
The question of Iraq has been taken up by the
United Nations for 11 years and the Iraqi people are
still suffering from the continuation of the international
economic sanctions imposed on them. Although the
oil-for-food programme has helped alleviate the
suffering of certain sectors of Iraqi society, it clearly
does not constitute the practical mechanism required to
contain and deal with the human tragedies and far-
reaching destructive effects that these sanctions
continue to inflict, not only on the infrastructure and
institutions of the basic services sectors of the Iraqi
people, but also with regard to people’s most
elementary necessities, including nutritional, medical,
educational and other care. We therefore call for a
40

political formula acceptable to all the parties concerned
that will ensure that the sanctions imposed on the Iraqi
people are lifted and, at the same time, the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Iraq are maintained.
The re-establishment of normal ties between Iraq
and Kuwait requires efforts to resolve the problems
that have arisen as a result of Iraq’s occupation of
Kuwait in 1990, the most important of which is the
return of Kuwaiti nationals and others held hostage or
as prisoners of war, in accordance with international
resolutions.
We welcome the Security Council resolution last
September to lift the international sanctions imposed
on our brother country Sudan. We also demand that the
Security Council follow the same procedures in regard
to the international sanctions imposed on our fraternal
country Libya, especially now that its Government has
completely fulfilled its commitments under the relevant
Council resolutions.
Since 28 September of last year, the occupied
Palestinian territories have seen human tragedies and
acts of violence because of the policy of State terrorism
pursued by Israel against the Palestinian people,
including re-occupation of territories, expansion of
settlements, escalation of bombing and destruction of
economic and physical infrastructure in the Palestinian
territories, in addition to systematic liquidation and
massacres that have claimed the lives of more than
1,300 martyrs and tens of thousands of other innocent
casualties, half of whom are children and women.
The United Arab Emirates warmly welcomes the
announcement made by President Bush three days ago
in which he committed his country to helping establish
peaceful coexistence between two States, Israel and
Palestine. Once again, we fully support the right of
Palestinians to self-determination and to establish their
own independent State with Jerusalem as its capital. In
addition, we strongly condemn all flagrant violations
by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.
We call upon the United Nations — especially the
Security Council and its permanent members — in
particular the United States, and European Union
members to take all necessary and effective measures
to avoid bias and double standards and to bring
pressure to bear on Israel to end immediately all its
terrorist acts of aggression against Palestinians, their
towns and holy sites. In this connection, we call for the
establishment, without delay, of an international
mechanism to provide the necessary protection for the
Palestinian people.
The attainment of security and just and
comprehensive peace and stability in the Middle East
requires that Israel comply strictly with the agreements
and protocols it has concluded within the framework of
the peace process and relevant resolutions of the
United Nations. Those resolutions all call upon Israel
to withdraw completely from all Palestinian and other
Arab territories it has occupied since 1967, including
the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Syrian Arab Golan and
the Shab’a farms in Lebanon. They also call for the
removal of existing settlements and the return of
Palestinian refugees to their homes.
Israel’s possession of prohibited weapons,
especially nuclear weapons, is a direct threat to
regional and international peace and security. We
therefore renew our call on the international
community to pressure the Israeli Government to
dismantle its dangerous arsenal of weapons. We would
also like to emphasize that comprehensive international
disarmament, including nuclear disarmament, and
improving international mechanisms and arrangements
for non-proliferation have top priority in the area of
regional and international security concerns. We also
call upon nuclear States and States that continue to
pursue the acquisition of such weapons to end such
dangerous policies, which threaten regional and
international peace and security.
We are following with deep concern the political
and military events that have erupted in many regions,
particularly in South and South-East Asia, certain
African countries and the Balkans. We therefore stress
the need for the parties concerned to muster the
necessary political will and to try to resolve their
problems and disputes by resorting to dialogue and
peaceful means, and on the basis of the principles of
international law and United Nations resolutions.
Despite the encouraging rates of economic
growth and recovery achieved by some countries in the
last few years as a result of the information revolution,
globalization and the formidable technological
developments in the fields of communications and free
markets, international reports and statistics have
recently indicated a slow-down in global economic
growth due to the lack of a clear strategy for regional
and international economic cooperation. That slow-
down has in turn aggravated the economic imbalance
41

between the countries of the North and those of the
South. While the countries of the North enjoy
prosperity, those of the South continue to suffer from
poverty, unemployment, disease and environmental
pollution.
Therefore the United Arab Emirates, which is
accustomed to extending financial development
investment and humanitarian assistance to many
developing countries and countries affected by natural
disasters and armed conflicts, calls upon developed
countries and international specialized agencies to
increase both their official and unofficial assistance to
developing countries. It is equally important that
official development assistance to poor countries be
increased so as to alleviate the foreign debt burden, to
help those countries secure access to world markets for
their domestic products, to facilitate the transfer of
peaceful technologies, and to assist them in containing
their growing domestic problems so as to combat
poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation
and the spread of disease.
In conclusion, we hope that our deliberations on
the items on the agenda at this session will produce
positive results that will enhance confidence-building
measures and ensure security and stability in this world
of numerous and quickly changing variables.


It is my honour to
address the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session.
Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September, the struggle
against terrorism has become a clear priority on the
international agenda. The United Nations is playing a
key role in coordinating joint measures to eliminate
international terrorism. My country reaffirms its
commitment to be vigorous in handling this matter.
We must act on all levels — global, regional and
national — if we are to succeed in combating
terrorism. Today, the need for international cooperation
has assumed new dimensions. To achieve sustainable
results in eliminating terrorism, joint international
action is mandatory.
Latvia strongly welcomes and supports Security
Council resolutions 1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001).
Latvia is convinced that full and unconditional
implementation of Council resolution 1373 (2001) is
imperative for success in the suppression of terrorism.
The financing of terrorism has to be prevented and
eliminated. All action or inaction by States or
individuals that allows the practice of terrorism has to
be stopped. Cooperation and information exchange
among States concerning terrorist activities has to be
strengthened. Latvia welcomes the establishment of the
Security Council Committee to monitor the
implementation of resolution 1373 (2001).
Latvia supports efforts undertaken by other
international organizations acting on the regional level.
As an aspiring member of the Euro-Atlantic
community, Latvia plays its part in the common
activities carried out by the European Union and the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In order to
harmonize regional measures to prevent acts of
terrorism, an action plan for Central and Eastern
European countries was adopted at the recent Warsaw
conference on combating terrorism. Another important
European framework for combating terrorism is the
Council of Europe, which has already formulated a
wide range of legal instruments intended to fight
terrorism.
My country fully shares the position of the
European Union that we must redouble our efforts to
fight international terrorism. That includes both our
commitment as members of the international
community and the “homework” we have to do as
individual States.
A high-level task force has been established in
Latvia to coordinate national efforts against terrorism,
including implementation of Security Council
resolutions 1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001). Latvia has
initiated the national legislative process of ratifying the
International Convention for the Suppression of the
2

Financing of Terrorism, and it is foreseen that we will
sign the Convention by the end of this year.
The Latvian Government has approved an action
plan for combating terrorism. This is a set of measures
aimed at strengthening my country’s ability to prevent
its territory, banking system and other assets from
being used by terrorists. There should be no place
where terrorists can hide from justice. Latvia has
already formulated legislation in the area of preventing
money laundering. Banks and other operators are
obliged to report on suspicious transfers. The
Government has submitted to the parliament a package
of further amendments to the banking law and the law
on the prevention of the laundering of proceeds derived
from criminal activity.
As it defends the world from terrorism, the
international community has to do its utmost to spare
the innocent people of Afghanistan further suffering.
Latvia fully supports the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, and other
parties in their efforts to bring about a fully inclusive
political system in Afghanistan. My country welcomes
Security Council resolution 1378 (2001). The Latvian
Government has also taken the decision to provide
humanitarian aid to the Afghan people through the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees.
We believe that the priorities that existed before
11 September are all the more valid today. A year ago,
heads of State or Government adopted the Millennium
Declaration, which renewed the spirit of the United
Nations and which clearly demonstrated that the world
and its peoples need this Organization. Latvia attaches
great importance to the implementation of the
Millennium Declaration, especially in relation to issues
of human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rights of
the child and conflict prevention. We consider that the
follow-up process to the Millennium Summit should be
an integral part of the work of the United Nations.
International relations in the twenty-first century have
to be based on values and principles set out in the
Declaration.
The fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly
demonstrated that the commitment that was put into the
Millennium Declaration was genuine. The results of the
General Assembly’s special sessions on human
settlements and on HIV/AIDS, the United Nations
Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and
Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the Durban
World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
have set a number of goals at the State, regional and
global levels. The process has started, and Latvia is
actively participating in pursuit of the common goals.
The United Nations is the only global
Organization charged with the fundamental task of
saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war
and with the maintenance of lasting peace and
international security. One of its most important tasks,
therefore, involves peacekeeping operations.
My country has actively participated in United
Nations-mandated peacekeeping operations since 1996.
This year Latvia is continuing to provide support to
stabilize the situation in the Balkans and is
participating, with troops and personnel, in all United
Nations-mandated, NATO-led operations in the
Balkans, as well as in other operations and endeavours
of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE).
Latvia, which attaches great importance to
peacekeeping operations, voluntarily increased its
contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping
budget starting in 2001.
The establishment of the International Criminal
Court has been one of the priorities of the United
Nations for a decade. My country signed the Rome
Statute in 1999, and the Government will present to
Parliament the ratification bill of the Statute and drafts
of the necessary amendments to our national legislation
as soon as possible. Latvia also hopes to be among the
first 60 States to ratify the Statute.
This is an important session of the General
Assembly for Latvia and for its people. This year
marks a decade since Latvia joined the United Nations
as a free and independent country. The United Nations
was the first international organization that Latvia
joined, after 50 years of occupation. The United
Nations has a special meaning for Latvia. Latvia’s
joining the United Nations demonstrates the
commitment of my country to rejoin the international
community and to take an active part in international
events and processes.
In these 10 years, Latvia has made great headway
in its development, and this growth encompasses a
variety of realms. Latvia’s foreign policy is rooted in
3

the observance of international law, the development of
human rights and democracy and the protection of
universally accepted human values. The top priorities
of Latvian foreign policy continue to be joining the
European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization. These are not goals in themselves, but,
rather, means to ensure sustainable development. Our
foreign policy priorities also include good-neighbourly
relations, bilateral cooperation and active participation
in international organizations.
I have the honour to announce that Latvia is
changing its status from that of aid recipient to that of
donor country, in order to provide its support to others
through both financial assistance and the sharing of
experiences. Latvia has begun to elaborate its concept
of a donor country. We are looking forward to the
implementation of this concept and are assisting those
who are in urgent need of our help.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the
United Nations and its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan,
on having been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
recognition of the work that has been carried out. I am
convinced that we, as Member States, will continue to
spare no effort in safeguarding the principles and ideals
for which the United Nations stands.


On behalf of
the people and Government of Papua New Guinea, I
wish to join previous speakers in congratulating the
President on his election to this prestigious post.
His election shows the high esteem in which the
international community holds both him personally and
his country, the Republic of Korea.
My delegation is confident that, through his great
diplomatic skills and leadership, which is already
evident, he will continue to guide the work of this
session of the General Assembly to its successful
conclusion.
I also take this opportunity, through him, to
express my delegation’s sincere appreciation to his
predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Harri Holkeri, for his
outstanding leadership and stewardship in facilitating
the work of the historic Millennium Summit and the
fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly.
We also congratulate and pay tribute to Mr. Kofi
Annan for his re-election to the office of Secretary-
General of the United Nations and for the award of the
Nobel Peace Prize.
Papua New Guinea is resolute in its commitment
to the purposes and principles of the United Nations
Charter. Papua New Guinea acknowledges the value of
many of the United Nations treaties and declarations,
including those that advance human rights, the rule of
law and good governance. Many of these principles are
enumerated in our national Constitution.
We acknowledge that the Organization has had
some limitations, many of which are self-inflicted. We
note that the United Nations is now in a much healthier
31

financial position than ever before. However, there is
no room for complacency in the pursuit of its reform
programme. The United Nations bodies and systems
must be restructured to reflect new dynamics and
geopolitical changes and to create hope for all at the
beginning of the new millennium.
We believe that our common global and regional
problems cannot be resolved under the auspices of
violence, terrorism, war and destruction; nor can they
be resolved in a vacuum. The United Nations provides
a forum and an avenue for fostering dialogue for
peaceful resolution of disputes.
An effective Security Council, we believe, should
be representative of all subregions of the world. My
Government also believes that the use of the veto
power should be limited to Chapter VII issues, while
the working methods and deliberations of the Council
should be more transparent and democratic.
Papua New Guinea’s development aspirations
have been compromised by problems associated with
the downturn in the global economy, the economic
crisis within the Asia-Pacific region and natural
disasters, over all of which we have little control. The
Government has addressed these challenges through a
comprehensive programme of structural adjustments.
We have worked hard to make sure that these structural
adjustments are made in the public sector in order to
stimulate and expand growth in the private sector.
The measures we have adopted have stabilized
the economy. However, as we look into the future, we
cannot but hope that the incidents of 11 September will
not unduly affect our future recovery. Judging by the
evidence of a downturn in the United States economy,
it seems clear that every effort is required to make the
International Conference on Financing for
Development next year a success.
We are grateful to the Friends of Papua New
Guinea group, comprising Australia, Japan, the
European Commission and China, among others, which
have been generous in assisting our Government in its
development efforts. The World Bank, International
Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank have
also been very positive in their responses to our
policies.
My country has experienced an unfortunate and
terrible conflict and has been trying to build mutual
confidence and security by pursuing a progressive
political settlement, including through restoration and
development for the past four years in its Bougainville
Province. We have utilized the Melanesian way of
building consensus between all parties to the conflict.
The consensus is now reflected in the Bougainville
Peace Agreement, signed by the parties on 30 August
this year. The Government is resolute in its desire to
implement the Agreement. It has completed work on
drafting amendments to our Constitution to provide for
greater autonomy, a referendum and amnesty. Together
with ongoing efforts to implement other aspects of the
Agreement, the parties are expected to facilitate
progress on weapons disposal and associated issues,
such as reconciliation and the unification of political
and administrative structures in Bougainville. A special
session of Parliament will be been convened next
week, on 22 November, to continue to debate the
Agreement. Parliament will deliberate on the
constitutional amendments on or soon after 14
December this year.
We wish to place on record our deep appreciation
to the United Nations, in particular Ambassador Noel
Sinclair and his team on Bougainville, the United
Nations Development Programme, the European
Union, individual European Union members and the
Governments of Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand,
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for their continuing and
constructive roles in Bougainville.
It is also my pleasure to speak on behalf of the
Bougainville parties and the Government to thank the
Secretary-General and all members of the Security
Council, past and present, for continuing to renew the
mandate of the United Nations Political Office in
Bougainville. We are confident that the Security
Council will continue to provide all the assistance we
need with respect to arms collection, storage and
disposal.
The process of decolonization will not be
completed until the people of the remaining 17 Non-
Self-Governing Territories have exercised their right to
self-determination and/or achieved self-government.
Papua New Guinea welcomes the cooperation of
the Government of France with regard to the progress
made in implementing the Nouméa Accords and setting
in motion the eventual exercise of the right of self-
determination by the people of New Caledonia,
especially the indigenous Kanak people.
32

We acknowledge the full cooperation of the
Government of New Zealand in the progress made so
far with respect to the question of the Tokelau Islands.
My Government notes the progress made in East
Timor. We heartily welcome the announcement of 20
May 2002 as the day the people of East Timor will
attain independence and nationhood. We look forward
to welcoming them as a full Member of this family of
nations.
Papua New Guinea continues to urge the other
administering Powers to cooperate with the Special
Political and Decolonization Committee in
implementing and completing its mandate soon.
The future of each of the remaining Non-Self-
Governing Territories can be assured only by a
positive, constructive and, above all, transparent
approach to developing a unique solution for each of
them.
The fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly
established the Consultative Process on oceans to
improve the coordination and management of the
programmes associated with the use, development and
protection of the oceans and seas. The Consultative
Process has been successful in bringing to the fore, and
focusing the attention of Member States on, a number
of issues.
The Pacific Islands Forum group includes small
island developing States that are custodians of the
largest ocean space. This ocean space is rich in natural
and marine resources. However, the small island
developing States of the region have limited human,
financial and technological capacities to harvest,
control, manage and secure these resources for the
benefit of our current and future generations.
It has been said that to divert the poor from the
call of the evil, it is not enough to appeal to their
stomachs only. Rather, one must appeal to their
aspirations as well. We joined others having particular
interest in the sustainable use and management of the
fish stocks in our region to establish the Convention on
the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory
Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean
in September 2000. The next meeting of the signatories
to this Convention will be held in Papua New Guinea
early next year.
We welcome Malta’s lodgement last Sunday of its
instrument of ratification of the Agreement for the
Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December
1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of
Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish
Stocks. The Agreement, which will now come into
force on 11 December 2001, called on States to
cooperate to enhance the ability of developing States,
in particular the least developed and small island
developing States, to conserve and develop their own
fisheries for such stocks. For all small island
developing States in the Pacific, financing for
development has to be linked to the development of
their fisheries sector.
In order to emphasize my point, I have provided
some data on the last page of my written statement.
The Assembly will note that the Central and Western
Pacific fishery is valued in excess of $2.5 billion per
annum, while the Pacific small island developing
States earn an average of only $66 million per annum
in licensing fees. For the small island developing States
of the Pacific to attain sustainable growth and
development, this situation has to change.
Last year my delegation also welcomed the
conclusion by the International Seabed Authority of the
exploration code for seabed mining. Continuing work
is to be undertaken with respect to a code for
exploration for polymetallic sulfides and cobalt-rich
crusts. Papua New Guinea has particular interest in
polymetallic sulfides.
My delegation would like to thank once again the
Secretary-General of the International Seabed
Authority, Ambassador Satya Nandan, for his report on
the work of the Authority. We welcome the execution
of contracts by pioneer investors and urge the
remaining pioneer investor to follow suit as soon as
possible.
Papua New Guinea supports the principles
contained in the Barbados Programme of Action and in
Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development. We continue to support
the principles contained in the Kyoto Protocol and the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change. We once again stress the urgent need for
developed countries to make a concerted effort to
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
My delegation welcomes the achievements of part
two of the sixth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the climate change Convention, held at Bonn
33

last July, and the successful completion of the recent
seventh session of the Conference, held at Marrakesh,
Morocco.
Another of the greatest challenges facing the
United Nations is to strengthen the capacity of the
global community to respond promptly and effectively
to climate change and natural disaster. In 1997, Papua
New Guinea experienced drought and frost caused by
El Niño and in 1998 came the tsunami and the La Niña
phenomenon, bringing floods and landslides and
leaving death and destruction in their wake. We
acknowledge the prompt and generous support of our
neighbours in dealing with the effects of such disasters.
Global warming has also brought increased numbers of
cases of diseases such as malaria to the higher-altitude
and most populous region of our country. The threat of
increased incidence of malaria in that region is real,
and could negatively affect the demographics of the
country. There is definitely a link among climate
change, natural disaster and the spread and increased
incidence of disease.
Nor is Papua New Guinea exempt from the HIV/
AIDS epidemic or from tuberculosis. We are grateful to
Australia and to other partners which have provided
assistance in that field of health care. We also welcome
again last year’s announcement by the Japanese
Government that it would set aside substantial financial
resources for disease eradication programmes in
developing countries.
The forthcoming International Conference on
Financing for Development and the World Summit for
Sustainable Development must be platforms for
launching new and innovative methods for realigning
the policies of the Bretton Woods institutions so that
they focus more on development and on the eradication
of poverty. There must be a concerted effort to link
new and innovative financial instruments to the
delivery of specific outcome-oriented approaches.
There must be flexibility in assisting developing
countries, especially small island, landlocked and least
developed countries. As I have said before, for the
peoples of the Pacific islands to become meaningful
participants in the globalization process, new financial
instruments and mechanisms should be developed to
facilitate the transfer of technological capacity and
expertise in the fisheries sector.
Papua New Guinea is committed to peaceful
dialogue among nations and condemns those that
employ terrorism against people or that finance, recruit
or train terrorists or mercenaries. The barbaric acts of
11 September have been described in many ways.
Some have called them horrendous, despicable and the
work of evil-doers. The use of any adjective to describe
the horror and the continuing threat to human security
only adds to the esteem in which some hold the
perpetrators. The use of qualifiers to describe the
innocence of the deceased lends legitimacy to those
acts and shields the nakedness of their wilful and
wrongful nature.
Papua New Guinea condemns the 11 September
attacks on the United States and supports the ongoing
campaign by the United States and its allies against
terrorism. On behalf of the Government and the people
of Papua New Guinea, I convey our heartfelt
condolences to the immediate families and other
relatives of all those who had their lives brutally taken
away from them in New York, Washington, D.C., and
Pennsylvania. My Government is committed to
implementing Security Council resolution 1373 (2001)
and is in the process of examining all existing
conventions relating to terrorism with a view to
acceding to them early next year.
Papua New Guinea also notes the death several
days ago of the political leader of the people of the
Indonesian province of Irian Jaya, Mr. Theys Eluay,
under questionable circumstances. As a neighbouring
country which shares a common border with that
province, Papua New Guinea is concerned about the
likely spillover effect of new developments in the
province. We urge Indonesia to undertake a thorough,
impartial and transparent investigation into Mr. Eluay’s
death, to make public the results and to bring to justice
those responsible.
My Government is committed to a stable,
peaceful and environmentally safe world and therefore
supports the objectives of the Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and of the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. We call on all
that have nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass
destruction, including biological weapons, to stop
testing, manufacturing and storing them, and
furthermore to take steps to destroy them.
We also support efforts to ban transboundary
movements of radioactive and other hazardous wastes
through the Pacific region. We call on those States that
previously conducted nuclear-weapon tests or that have
34

discharged chemical or other non-degradable wastes in
our subregion to adequately compensate and provide
appropriate medical assistance to the scores of persons
and families affected. Remedial action should be taken
to clean up the damage done to the environment.
Global and regional partnerships to promote
change are the key to addressing the challenges that the
world will face in the twenty-first century. Papua New
Guinea believes that a challenge for Member States is
to reshape the Organization so that it can serve as an
effective tool for implementing our collective desire: to
make the global village a better place for all.


Before I
proceed, allow me, on behalf of the people and the
Government of Nicaragua, to express our sorrow to the
people and the Government of the Dominican Republic
for yesterday’s event. Allow me also, Mr. President, to
join those who have come before me in congratulating
you on your well-deserved election as President of the
fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly, and to
express my confidence that under your competent
direction this session will conclude its work
successfully. I also wish to express our most profound
appreciation for the praiseworthy work achieved by the
outgoing President, Mr. Harri Holkeri of Finland.
Likewise, I wish to pay tribute to the Secretary-
General, Mr. Kofi Annan, not only for having been re-
elected to a second mandate with the consensus of the
entire international community, but also for the recent,
well-deserved, high distinction of being awarded,
together with the United Nations, the Nobel Peace
Prize.
The people and the Government of Nicaragua
received with great concern the news of the criminal
terrorist attacks against the people and the Government
of the United States on 11 September. Since then, we
have offered our solidarity and cooperation to the
people and the Government of the United States for the
capture and punishment of all those involved in those
abhorrent acts. The magnitude of those terrorist acts
brings new and diverse challenges in the political,
economic and security areas. The enemies of peace and
democracy have attempted to create a widespread
5

climate of uncertainty and fear. For this reason, our
first challenge is not to allow ourselves to be
intimidated or paralysed by their criminal threats and
actions.
At the Central American level, on 19 September
in Honduras, the Presidents of the isthmus adopted a
Declaration entitled “Central America united against
terrorism”, in which we strongly condemned any ties
between groups or sectors in the Central American
region and international terrorism. As of that date, we
began to undertake concrete initiatives aimed at
improving information systems between neighbouring
countries; increasing coordination between air and
naval forces to deal with illicit traffic; ensuring better
border monitoring; enabling the exchange of
information between specialized public security
agencies; increasing control over travel documents; and
strengthening security for airports and civil aviation.
Nicaragua is a party to those measures and
provisions that promote and safeguard international
and regional peace and security through the prevention
and peaceful resolution of disputes between States and
the non-proliferation of nuclear and conventional
weapons of mass destruction, which contravene the
principles of international humanitarian law.
Our firm commitment to world peace and security
led my country to host the Third Meeting of the States
Parties to the Ottawa Convention, despite the fact that
that meeting took place soon after the events of 11
September. The Managua Conference allowed the
States parties to renew their commitment and to note
with satisfaction the important progress that has been
made in the crusade to eliminate anti-personnel
landmines. The ratification of the Convention by more
than 120 States; the strengthening of the mechanisms
for its implementation; the progress in mine removal;
the destruction of mines stockpiled in different parts of
the world; and the virtual embargo on the international
trade in these weapons are concrete steps in our effort
to end the suffering brought about by antipersonnel
mines.
I would like to earnestly appeal to the States that
have not yet done so to ratify the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, as well as the Convention for
the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines. Nicaragua
also welcomes with satisfaction the Programme of
Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade
in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects,
adopted on 21 July.
Just one year ago, we convened the Millennium
Summit, at which we made commitments designed to
meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and
reaffirmed our faith in the United Nations as the central
instrument for promoting peace, security, prosperity
and justice.
In order to respond effectively to the challenges
that the new millennium imposes on us — challenges
that cannot be ignored — it is crucial that we take
resolute steps to reform the United Nations, ensuring
that its policies and structures are commensurate with
the realities and aspirations of contemporary
international society. Nicaragua shares the interest of
all Member States in strengthening our Organization so
as to optimize its work in the maintenance of
international peace and security, conflict prevention,
the promotion of sustainable development and the
battle against poverty.
In this context, it is crucial to move forward with
reform of the Security Council so that that body can
respond fully and effectively to current needs and to
future challenges to our peoples.
Furthermore, the profound changes experienced
by societies throughout the world since 1945 require
the United Nations urgently to reaffirm its universal
vocation as a fundamental prerequisite for confronting
new challenges through the full and effective
participation of all peoples, without distinction and
excluding no one.
However, this universal vocation cannot be fully
realized as long as a democratic State and signatory of
the San Francisco Charter is unable to participate as a
full-fledged Member within the United Nations system.
As is well known, the Republic of China is a
democratic country, and its freely and transparently
elected Government is the only one that can
legitimately represent the interests and desires of the
people of Taiwan at the United Nations. We should not
continue to deny the 23 million people who live in the
Republic of China the right to be represented in the
United Nations and to share with us the efforts to
promote peace and development for future generations.
Let us recall that the Republic of China has
played a positive role in the promotion of world trade,
the eradication of poverty and the advancement of
6

human rights. These laudable efforts at the national and
international levels must be recognized by the United
Nations; the Republic of China should be given the
right to integrate itself into the international order of
the United Nations, having fulfilled the basic
conditions in accordance with international law.
Since the beginning of my mandate in 1997, we
Nicaraguans have taken significant steps in the
important task of consolidating democracy and guiding
our country along the path of development. The
Nicaraguan people have made great sacrifices in laying
the foundations of sustainable human development by
strengthening the rule of law; stabilizing the economy
through the implementation of responsible financial
and fiscal policies; providing for the effective
participation of civil society in national decision-
making; and formulating a long-term strategy in the
battle against poverty and for reducing economic,
social and environmental vulnerability. That process,
however, has not been easy, because of the heavy
burden of our external national debt, international
financial crises, the fall in the price of our main export
products and natural disasters.
The elections held in my country on 4 November
will go down in national history as an example of
transparency, public spirit and profound democratic
conviction. The orderly and transparent way in which
the process unfolded, broad citizen participation, with
fewer than 10 per cent of the population failing to take
part, and the attitude of the people of Nicaragua reflect
of the degree to which my country has progressed in
strengthening its democratic institutions.
We strongly support the convening of the World
Summit on Sustainable Development to take place in
Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2002, the
task of which will be to determine the current status of
the implementation of the commitments undertaken at
the Earth Summit. As a reflection of that will, we note
our ratification of the Conventions on Climate Change
and Biological Diversity, the efforts carried out by the
National Council for Sustainable Development and
Nicaragua’s participation in major projects for the
preservation of the rich ecosystems of the region, such
as the Meso-American Biological Corridor and the
Atlantic Biological Corridor.
The new problems and challenges that humanity
faces greatly exceed our individual capabilities as
States. For that reason, it is imperative that we renew
our commitment to the goals and principles of the
United Nations, which will allow us to continue to
advance in the building of a world that is more just,
peaceful and secure for future generations.


At the outset, I wish to
join other speakers in warmly congratulating you, Sir,
on your election as President of the fifty-sixth session
of the General Assembly. It is my deep conviction that
in this difficult situation we will, under your
experienced leadership, materialize the expectations of
the international community, which has always desired
to view the United Nations as a reliable guarantor of
world peace. I recall our recent meeting in Seoul, and it
is a pleasure for me to see you, Sir, presiding over the
General Assembly this year. I also wish to thank your
predecessor, Mr. Harri Holkeri, for his hard work,
dedication and leadership in presiding over the fifty-
fifth session of the General Assembly.
7

The recent brutal terrorist attack against our host
country, which has left all of us in deep shock, was
undoubtedly also directed against the United Nations
and its principles and values, which we as Member
States share. This inhuman act was an attack on all of
us. However, it has united the international community,
which realized the potential danger and threat of
terrorism to the existence of human civilization. The
international community has responded in the only way
appropriate: international terrorism cannot be tolerated;
all the nations of the world must stand united in the
battle against this evil; and they have to search
vigorously for ways to effectively respond to it.
We were relieved to see the United Nations acting
promptly and in a very determined way, adopting the
very next day General Assembly and Security Council
resolutions urging the international community to
redouble its efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist
acts by increased cooperation and full implementation
of the relevant international anti-terrorist conventions
and Security Council resolutions. In particular,
Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) is of a great
importance and must be fully implemented.
We appreciate that after the terrorist attacks,
countries and international organizations have
manifested moral maturity and their capacity to closely
cooperate and coordinate their actions in the fight
against world terrorism. We welcome the active and
irreplaceable role the United Nations plays in this fight.
As United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
explicitly stated in his response to the arrogant and
disdainful words of bin Laden addressed to the United
Nations, people will understand that the position of the
United Nations is the expression of the will of all its
Members.
A year ago, many of my colleagues and I
elaborated on the role of the United Nations in
combating international terrorism. The Slovak
Republic joined the anti-terrorist coalition swiftly,
effectively and without any hesitation. It will remain a
firm part of the coalition of nations and people
resolved to fight terrorism and determined to face this
threat to peace and security on our planet. The Slovak
Republic is a party to 11 of the 12 universal anti-
terrorist conventions. Shortly, we hope to ratify the
International Convention for the Suppression of the
Financing of Terrorism, which we signed last January.
We call on all other countries to redouble their efforts
in order to achieve a speedy conclusion of a
comprehensive convention against terrorism.
The terrorist attack has certainly changed our
perception of the world. A re-assessment of
international arrangements is a necessity in this
context. After a period of mostly emotional reactions,
we now need more qualified answers, supported by
resolve and responsibility. I am convinced that the
resolve and responsibility will be translated into
executive actions and systemic steps by the United
Nations.
The legal instruments devised here at the United
Nations constitute an especially good basis for
deepening the effectiveness of the fight against
terrorism. Using the words of the aphorist Blaise
Pascal, I want to emphasize that the only thing that
remains to be done is to implement all the good
principles that have already been laid down. It is
encouraging that the words of comfort and the ideas
and commitments uttered by high representatives of the
Member States of this, the most universal international
community, overwhelmingly share that spirit. Slovakia
fully associates itself with those views. In that context,
we wish to express our hope that the Rome Statute of
the International Criminal Court will enter into force
sometime next year. With that the international
community will be establishing a body that will end
impunity for crimes of the greatest seriousness,
including crimes against humanity.
The world has a unique opportunity to achieve
progress in tackling long-lasting conflicts through joint
efforts. Slovakia considers United Nations
peacekeeping operations to be one of the key and most
visible aspects of the Organization’s activities. We
view all United Nations activities in conflict
prevention, peacekeeping, peace support and peace-
building as particularly important. It is the people in
the regions suffering from conflict who look to our
Organization with hope, and we must not let them
down.
As a country that is materially and personally
involved, we welcome with great attention and
devotion and participate actively in the discussions
aimed at reforming and improving the efficiency of
United Nations peacekeeping. We are ready to continue
contributing our share in every possible way to this
noble endeavour. The participation of the Slovak
Republic in United Nations peacekeeping operations
8

has grown almost six-fold since the beginning of the
year 2000. This year we took part in the United Nations
mission in East Timor, where we deployed a level II
hospital. In Cyprus the Slovak contingent has replaced
Austria and has become the lead nation in Sector 4. We
have sent our demining experts and other personnel to
the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
I would also like to add my personal note to this
description of my country’s engagement. For the past
two years, the Secretary-General has entrusted me with
an exceptionally demanding and responsible task,
namely, to serve as his Special Envoy for the Balkans
and to oversee the peaceful resolution of the still-
smouldering conflict in Kosovo. I am aware of the
critical importance of the coming elections to be held
in Kosovo under the supervision of the United Nations
Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). I
am now therefore in a position to state a single critical
thesis: that area must stay multi-ethnic and the
international community must continue to be consistent
in its policies on the matter.
As a country that is experiencing dynamic
development and one that shares a great interest in
stable international development and the prosperity of
the international community, Slovakia also has an
ambition to play a more visible role in the United
Nations. Our Prime Minister, Mikuláš Dzurinda, also
clearly expressed our position on many other topics
and challenges at last year’s Millennium Summit. The
spirit of the commendable initiatives adopted at the
Summit will produce the best results only through their
unrestricted practical implementation, although new
and unprecedented barriers have emerged on the way.
Our position on the issue of Security Council
reform is linked to the importance of making the
Organization more effective. Let us be honest and
admit that we have not been fully successful in
achieving this goal for years, and that we will now
have to cope with new and unprecedented challenges.
In my letter to the previous President of the General
Assembly I emphasized that, in addition to maintaining
sufficient representativeness, the Security Council
should also preserve sufficient operational flexibility.
We also believe that the Security Council should base
its decision-making on majority voting, and that the
right of veto should only be reserved for decisions
taken under Chapter VII of the Charter.
Slovakia supports the enlargement of the Security
Council in both the non-permanent and the permanent
categories of membership. However, the failure to
achieve consensus on the enlargement of one category
should not result in blocking enlargement in another
category. I avail myself of this opportunity to confirm
that while increasing the number of Security Council
members in the category of elected non-permanent
members, we consider it fully justified to allocate one
additional seat to the Group of Eastern European
States. Its membership has doubled in the last decade.
Exceptionally urgent current challenges have cast
a malicious shadow of destruction over this year’s
agenda of the General Assembly, which I have not
commented on in detail. I would like, however, to
assure the Assembly that Slovakia believes in the need
for a universal world organization — which the United
Nations is — as a source of hope for a better and more
just world. We have no doubts about the irreplaceable
role of the United Nations in tackling global issues, be
it the protection of human rights, the eradication of
famine, poverty, diseases and illiteracy or the
prevention of drug and arms proliferation or
guaranteeing sustainable development. A life of dignity
for all of us is really unthinkable without the enduring
involvement of the United Nations. However, it
requires universal respect of its paramount place in
international life, and joint cooperation in intensifying
its activities.
In conclusion, I would like to underline the
feeling of deep satisfaction of my country, and me
personally, with the appointment of Mr. Kofi Annan to
serve a second term as the United Nations Secretary-
General. I also wish to voice our recognition of the
honour given to him personally and to our universal
world Organization through the prestigious and well-
deserved award of the centenary Nobel Peace Prize,
and to congratulate him wholeheartedly on this
achievement


Fiji mourns the recent losses
and world-changing tragedies which the United States
of America has endured. We remember the many lives
lost in that adversity, and we express the hope that
peace and goodwill may prevail. Now is the time to
make haste to galvanize collaborative efforts by
developed and developing nations in the global fight
against terrorism.
We congratulate His Excellency Mr. Han Seung-
soo and the Government of the Republic of Korea on
Ambassador Han’s assumption of the presidency of the
25

General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session. We pledge
complete support during his term of office, fully aware
that the qualities that have marked his eminent and
distinguished career promise a resounding conclusion
to the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly
despite its difficult start.
Fitting tribute is also due to his predecessor,
Mr. Harri Holkeri of Finland. His leadership over the
previous year successfully concluded a truly hectic and
full schedule of business, including some difficult
issues and special sessions during the period of the
fifty-fifth session. He leaves an indelible mark in the
annals of the United Nations.
My Government congratulates His Excellency
Mr. Kofi Annan on his appointment as Secretary-
General for a second term; this signifies the trust and
confidence that the United Nations places in him. He
has aptly been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which
he shares with the United Nations. Fiji welcomes the
road map he has outlined for the Organization, which,
under his creative and competent leadership, will
deliver the reforms needed to launch the Organization
into the twenty-first century.
In the wake of the political crisis that triggered
instability in Fiji in 2000, my Government set itself
two immediate tasks: to restore constitutional
democracy and to stabilize our fragile economy. Those
goals are being achieved. Moreover, my Government is
continuing to pursue strong economic performance
through increased investment and development.
I am honoured to inform the Assembly that, only
18 months after its political crisis, Fiji successfully
concluded the general elections and formed a
multiparty Government in September 2001. My
Government is confident that, with the support of the
United Nations and the international community, Fiji’s
forward-looking policies will steer it ahead on a path of
democratic rule and sustainable economic
development.
Fiji acknowledges the support rendered to us by
the United Nations and by Member States in the
deployment of the United Nations electoral observation
team during our elections. The team discharged its
duties professionally and impartially. We are confident
that it will provide the Assembly with a positive
appraisal of the conduct of the elections as free and
fair — conduct to which we have been well
accustomed throughout our electoral history.
I should like to convey my Government’s deep
gratitude to those Member States that supported Fiji
and to those that sponsored resolution 55/280, which
enabled the participation of the United Nations
observer team.
Our leaders are committed, under the Millennium
Declaration of 2000, to the principles of human dignity,
equality and equity, especially with respect to those
who are most vulnerable, in particular the children,
who are our future. It is a timely and constructive
commitment that creates the necessary global
framework for addressing the plight of the poor and the
vulnerable in the face of the accelerating impact of
globalization and trade liberalization.
Poverty is at the root of many problems. As the
most powerful destabilizing force, it threatens
democracy and good governance. It is thus our most
insidious enemy. Successive Human Development
Reports amply document abysmal accounts of poverty
and poverty indicators. A total of 1.2 billion people
live on less than $1 a day, more than a billion people in
developing countries lack access to safe water, and
more than 2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation.
We are talking not millions, but billions.
Poverty reduction is therefore our greatest
challenge today. The Millennium Declaration set a
target to halve global extreme poverty by 2015. This
goal must be the cornerstone of all development
efforts. It demands an ongoing commitment and
effective measures on the part of the international
community.
In this connection, my Government has created a
new Ministry for Poverty Alleviation, which is a key
policy factor in our triennial Strategic Development
Plan. We recognize that economic, social and political
stability are inextricably tied to reducing the gap
between rich and poor. That equation must also
recognize the unique vulnerabilities that beset the
fragile economies of developing countries such as Fiji.
Complementary legislation is also being
developed in the Social Justice Bill to translate into
policy the constitutional provision for social equity.
Primarily, the Bill will regulate affirmative action
policies for disadvantaged groups in the areas and in
the manner prescribed in the Fiji Constitution. This is a
critical step in Fiji’s efforts towards national unity and
nation-building and its efforts to address issues of
social, ethnic and economic development and harmony.
26

Today, in our journey in this world, we are
meeting with unprecedented challenges and
uncertainties, ranging from widespread global conflict
to escalating terrorist activities and economic
marginalization. The Assembly and the United Nations
system must devise appropriate, creative responses to
these difficult questions, in ways that are compatible
with the goals of world peace and security, as
enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Current organizational reform plans present
constructive and necessary platforms for meeting these
specific challenges. An amicable agreement on the
expansion of the permanent or non-permanent
membership of the Security Council could well present
us with new and fresh avenues for solutions. My
delegation reiterates our full support for an expansion
of both membership categories of the Security Council.
We congratulate the Security Council on the support
that its landmark resolution 1325 (2000) received, a
resolution whose implementation will allow for
increased involvement on the part of women in the
process of achieving peace and security.
Fiji has excelled in its efforts to achieve the
peacekeeping goals of the United Nations Charter. We
remain fully committed to this goal and to the Brahimi
recommendations for reform. Our military is serving in
various United Nations missions, including in Lebanon,
East Timor and Kuwait. Our police officers are serving
in Bosnia and Kosovo. It is gratifying to see positive
conclusions to several peacekeeping mandates and their
impending withdrawal or downsizing. We would
caution, however, against any exit without strategy, in
order to give credence to the huge investment of
goodwill and resources by the United Nations and the
international community, and to avoid a situation of
double jeopardy for the people trapped in armed
conflict.
In this regard, we support new measures to
strengthen the protective regime of the Convention on
the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.
Its scope needs to include United Nations and
humanitarian personnel on the ground, who need real
protection and security while working to ensure the
safety of, and caring for, civilians.
Fiji has consistently advocated decolonization
and self-determination since joining the United
Nations. We note the delay in the implementation of
the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to
Colonial Countries and Peoples. Fiji supports the
ongoing work of the Committee of 24 and recognizes
the political and diplomatic constraints involved.
Early on in this Second Decade for the
Eradication of Colonialism, the 17 Non-Self-Governing
Territories, mostly small island Territories in the
Caribbean and Pacific regions, need our focused
attention, so that their legitimate aspirations for self-
determination can be recognized.
The Declaration of Commitment on the
HIV/AIDS pandemic demands that we exercise greater
vigilance and focus sincerely on safeguarding our
development gains and on our future goals. We in the
Pacific are seeking to maintain our low infection rate
trend, as we stand to lose the most if we fail to abide
by that Declaration. Only collaboration and solidarity
at the international, regional and national levels can
save humanity from this invasive scourge.
Despite the recent political disturbances in Fiji,
respect for the rule of law and for international human
rights standards has been maintained. The continued
existence and independence of the Fiji Human Rights
Commission is testimony to our commitment to human
rights.
Fiji, along with several of its Pacific Island
neighbours, is for the first time facing the dilemmas
posed by refugees and asylum seekers. International
human trafficking has brought them to our shores,
despite the vast distances between our lands.
International refugees are the direct result of violations
and breaches of human rights. As a State party to the
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to its
Protocol, Fiji pleads with Member States to respect the
rights of refugees and to support the work of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. At the very
least, Member States are obligated to protect the rights
of their citizens in their own homeland.
Fiji co-sponsored the resolution on Korean peace,
security and reunification during the fifty-fifth session
of the General Assembly. We are elated to see peace
and reunification initiatives in the Korean peninsula.
Likewise, the small island developing States are
seeking continually to enhance our international
participation. Strengthening future relations between
the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum is a
mutually beneficial avenue. This will allow for our
effective participation in the United Nations system. It
27

also affords the United Nations with a unique and
authentic Pacific perspective and voice. Cooperation
between the Pacific Islands Forum and the United
Nations is a welcome addition to this session’s agenda
and promises greater returns, with the support of
Member States.
Our Pacific Islands Forum leaders will meet in
Fiji in 2002. It is therefore opportune to renew our
invitation to Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General, to
visit the Pacific Islands Forum region. Recent political
events in the Pacific and the successful domestic,
regional and international initiatives to address these
concerns can only be positively reinforced by such a
high-level, goodwill visit by the Secretary-General, to
take place early, rather than later, in his second term of
office.
Our global development agenda demands of the
United Nations an increased facilitating role in the
coordination of economic, financial, trade and social
issues. At the International Conference on Financing
for Development in March 2002, stakeholders will
deliberate on enhancing coherence and coordination
between development and social objectives. Fiji hopes
that the Conference will inspire the international
community and financial institutions, including the
Bretton Woods institutions, to support and devise new
standards and indicators, such as the vulnerability
index, to effectively address poverty and other
disparities.
Growing imbalances and marginalization in the
world economy are a threat to humanity, in particular
to Fiji and other small island developing States (SIDS).
Sustainable development depends on a given level of
resources to propel our fragile economies forward.
Moreover, these resources are needed to sustain long-
term, sound, economic and environmentally friendly
development. The critical role of the international
community is to assist us in nation-building and
efficient resource utilization so that we can fulfil our
social obligations.
Fiji has long expounded to the international
community how vulnerable and heavily dependent our
economies are on the vagaries and whims of the global
economy. Our small size, extremely remote distance
from the international markets and increasing
susceptibility to natural disasters do not lend
themselves well to economies of scale of production, to
building export-based trade or to gaining competitive
access to foreign markets for our products. Clearly, our
ability to benefit fully from globalization is doomed
from the start, further aggravating the divide between
the rich and poor. It is my Government’s aspiration that
the scope of equitable and tangible benefits from
globalization and trade liberalization is still to be fully
realized if we are to meaningfully tackle global and
human poverty.
As a member of the World Trade Organization,
Fiji is concerned at the fast erosion of trade preferences
in the world trade in agricultural products, sugar being
a mainstay of our economy. Increasingly, we fear that
small island States like my own, which depend
predominantly on agricultural export commodities, will
be seriously affected without adequate market
safeguards. We are forced to question the efficacy of a
multilateral trade framework as a fair mechanism in
promoting the interests of SIDS like Fiji.
In this context, we welcome the current work on
financing for development and preparations for the
World Summit on Sustainable Development. Targeted
assistance and official development assistance
programmes to enable us to fully implement and
strengthen investment and productivity must
necessarily complement our efforts through regional or
multilateral trading agreements. We are optimistic that
next year’s high-level conferences will flag our
concerns in line with the Barbados Programme of
Action and the development goals that are set out in the
Millennium Declaration.


I
would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you,
Mr. President, on your election as President of the
General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session. Your
election is a clear manifestation of the entire
membership’s confidence in and high regard for your
able leadership and diplomatic skills. We wish you
success in the tasks ahead. I want to assure you of my
delegation’s full cooperation and support.
Our salutations are also extended to your
predecessor, Mr. Harri Holkeri of Finland, for a job
well done.
Allow me also to sincerely congratulate
Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the able and
distinguished manner in which he has continued to
administer and guide the affairs of our Organization.
His re-election to a second term attests to the
confidence and trust that we have in him. The award of
this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to him and the United
Nations is recognition of his personal attributes and
contributions to strengthening the world body. It is also
recognition of the glorious performance and
achievements of the United Nations in the search of
global peace, solidarity and prosperity.
As we applaud and pay tribute to the Secretary-
General and the United Nations for their remarkable
achievements, the horrific terrorist attacks of 11
September against the United States are a clear
reminder to us all that the fight for lasting world peace
is far from being won. Strangely enough, the fight can
take new dangerous dimensions when aeroplanes,
which are a magnificent human invention for the fast
movement of people, goods and services between
distant places, can themselves become weapons in
terror attacks.
Coming from a country that fell victim to a
terrorist attack with the bombing of the United States
Embassy in Dar es Salaam in 1998, I can clearly
understand the pain, anger and quest for revenge on the
part of President George Bush, his Administration and
the people of the United States of America. On that
fateful day, when 11 of our fellow citizen’s perished
and over 70 people were wounded, the Government
and people of my country felt exactly the same. We
therefore perceive and share the pain and grief of the
people of the United States and support their right and
that of their Government to seek redresses and fight the
perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Terrorism is a horrendous crime in its brutality
and victimization. It is wanton, cruel and
indiscriminate. The world must work together to fight
and defeat it. Allow me to reiterate Tanzania’s pledges,
resolve and readiness to continue to participate fully in
the efforts to combat terrorism.
The events of 11 September remind us once more
of the need to expedite the process establishing the
International Criminal Court.
Allow me also to convey sincere sympathy to the
families of the deceased in yesterday’s tragic plane
crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this
time of grief.
This is the first session of the General Assembly
after the Millennium Summit held here last year. At
that Summit, the world leaders defined the agenda and
strategies of our Organization in the new century.
There was common understanding in the new century, a
resolve to continue to work together to tackle the
numerous problems bequeathed by the last century. It is
the view of my delegation that this session of the
General Assembly and the subsequent ones should
translate that commitment into concrete actions.
Permit me at this juncture to share with the
Assembly some thoughts about what could be the
important priorities of the United Nations. Tanzania
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would like to see a United Nations that continues to be
the guarantor of world peace and security, a United
Nations that has the development agenda at the centre
of its main objectives and activities and a United
Nations that continues to fight for justice and equality
among peoples and nations the world over.
Strengthening and revitalizing the United Nations
is an imperative we all agreed to undertake almost a
decade ago. We have done a remarkable job as regards
the restructuring of the Secretariat and the United
Nations agencies. It is regrettable that reform and
restructuring of the Security Council remain elusive. A
process started seven years ago has yet to bear the
desired result. The disturbing thing is the fact that in
some quarters it no longer appears to be a priority
subject.
Tanzania believes that expansion of Security
Council membership in both categories is as relevant
and desirable today as it was seven years ago. We
would like to reaffirm our support for the principle of
equitable representation of Member States on the basis
of their geographical regions. In particular, we want to
reiterate support for Africa’s request for two seats in
the permanent category. As the continent with the
largest portion of the membership of our Organization,
such a representation is well deserved. We also think
that the time has come to have a serious look at the
circumstances and modalities for invoking the use of
veto powers. We are of the view that the veto power
should be used in pursuit of global interests, and not
narrow national interests.
At the Millennium Summit, world leaders
emphasized that the development agenda should
continue to be at the centre of the objectives and
activities of the United Nations. We know that the
United Nations is not a major funding institution, but
over the years it has been the moral force behind the
many difficult decisions taken to address serious
economic issues. The United Nations organized several
forums where various development agenda items were
discussed and continue to be discussed, and decisions
taken. We want the United Nations to continue to do
that.
In a period of global economic slow-down like
the one we are witnessing today, the task of forging
new strategies to tackle the intractable problems of
poverty, hunger, disease, deprivation and
environmental degradation becomes very challenging
indeed. We hope the current economic crisis will not
last long, because if it does its consequences may be
bad for us all, especially the developing countries. I
would also add that Africa, as a continent with 34 of
the 48 least developed countries, will suffer the most.
In view of this situation, this world body, donor
countries and least developed countries must muster
collective efforts to ensure that these problems and
many more are addressed collectively. I know that
there can never be quick fixes to resolving such
problems. However, building those kinds of
partnerships is one thing that the United Nations should
help realize.
There is no doubt that for development to make
sense in the context of the developing countries like
Tanzania, the availability of official development
assistance (ODA), plus long-term capital flows and
access to technology and markets of the developed
countries, are essential. These will have a catalytic role
in building domestic supply capacity.
We are particularly concerned that the situation
with regard to availability of ODA is still not
encouraging. Most developed countries are far from
meeting the target of contributing 0.7 per cent of their
gross domestic product to ODA, as agreed way back in
1970 and reiterated at the 1992 Rio Summit. What is
more disturbing to us is the fact that the decline
continues unabated despite numerous appeals. My
delegation would once again like to use this
opportunity to call upon the developed countries to
honour this historic duty to mankind. We hope the
United Nations will remain seized of the matter and
exercise leadership.
The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI),
which is so essential for inducing growth in our
nations, leaves much to be desired. So far, the flow of
FDI is not as we would have wanted or have expected
it to be.
The painful part of this problem is the fact that
many of our countries have done everything that has
been demanded of us in order to create a conducive
environment for FDI to flow, yet there is not much of it
coming. Take the example of my country, where we
have established, through an Act of Parliament, a
financial, legal and institutional framework as
attractive and competitive as one would find anywhere
in the world. We have a sound macroeconomic
environment; there is political stability; and good
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governance and democracy are vibrant, yet foreign
direct investment flows are minimal.
My country’s experience is the experience of
many countries in the developing world. We are at a
loss as to what else we have to do. Maybe someone
will volunteer to tell us. While we continue to appeal to
the developed countries to do more, we request the
indulgence of the United Nations. In this regard, we
welcome and support the convening of the
International Conference on Financing for
Development, to be held next March. We hope that the
question of ODA and FDI will be given appropriate
consideration. I promise Tanzania’s full participation in
that Conference.
Easy access by the developing countries to the
technology and markets of the developed world could
contribute immensely towards the alleviation and
eventual eradication of poverty in the world. There are
encouraging developments in the area of market access,
with initiatives such as the Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows over 1,800
products from countries of sub-Saharan Africa to enter
the United States market duty-free and quota-free, and
the Cotonou Agreement, which allows everything but
arms from the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and
the Pacific to enter the European Union duty-free and
quota-free.
We hope the initiatives taken by Japan under the
Tokyo International Conference on African
Development (TICAD) and by the People’s Republic of
China under the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will
go a little further and offer opportunities similar to
those offered under AGOA and the Cotonou
Agreement. It is our sincere hope and expectation that
the four aforementioned initiatives by the United
States, the European Union, China and Japan will also
ease the difficulties experienced by our countries in
accessing the financial, scientific and technological
resources available in those nations. While our nations
will continue to engage the developed countries
bilaterally or collectively in various forums, the United
Nations should never lose sight of the need to help us.
The problem of the external debt of developing
countries, and particularly of the least developed
countries, continues to pose a serious challenge to the
development efforts of those countries. External debt
servicing has been crowding out priority social
investments in our respective countries. In Tanzania,
for example, debt servicing averaged one-third of the
entire Government’s budget. With another one-third
spent on payment of salaries, the Government is left
with only a third of the budget to perform its duties,
which range from maintaining law and order to the
provision of basic social and economic services. This
clearly underscores the fact that debt relief and debt
forgiveness for nations like mine will go a long way
towards enhancing Government capacity to discharge
its duties.
In this regard, Tanzania welcomes the various
measures undertaken by the international community
aimed at dealing with this chronic debt problem. Our
only concern is that, despite all these measures, the
scope and magnitude of debt is continuing to build up
to dangerous proportions. More surgical measures
should therefore be taken to deal more effectively with
this crippling problem.
Let me now turn to issues related to peace and
security. At the outset, let me state that it is
heartwarming to see the Security Council more
engaged in the process of trying to tackle the crisis in
the Great Lakes region. The Government of Tanzania is
committed to building a secure and stable Great Lakes
region. In this regard, I want to assure the United
Nations that we will continue to play a positive role, as
we have been doing, in order to help the people of
Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
secure and enjoy the peace which they so richly
deserve.
It is encouraging to note that in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, despite difficulties, the
implementation of the Lusaka Agreement is on track.
We are particularly glad that the inter-Congolese
dialogue is under way. I would like to use this
opportunity to appeal to the parties to the conflict to
stay the course. We also appeal to the Security Council
to remain seized of the matter, and to the international
community to extend the urgently needed financial
resources to the facilitation of the dialogue.
We welcome the installation of the Transitional
Government in Burundi. We hope that this historic
event, which marks the successful conclusion of long
and arduous political negotiations, is also the
beginning of an irreversible process that will put an
end to the long years of pain and suffering endured by
the people of Burundi. Indeed, the subregion continues
to work towards the cessation of hostilities and towards
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ultimately securing a ceasefire agreement between the
rebels and the Government. In this respect, I would like
to take this opportunity to say three things.
First, let me reiterate Tanzania’s previous calls
for the leaders of the Front for the Defence of
Democracy (FDD) and the National Liberation Forces
(FNL) to see reason and to join the Arusha process. I
believe that there is nothing they are fighting for which
has not been discussed and decided upon in the Arusha
Agreement. Even if they feel strongly that something
has been excluded, the Arusha Agreement provides
opportunities for discussion of the same by the parties.
Secondly, Tanzania promises its readiness to
work with the new Government and to do all it can to
help it succeed. We are ready to work with the new
Administration in Bujumbura and with the Front for
Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) to engage the
rebels and encourage them to join the Arusha
Agreement.
The third issue I would like to address relates to
the repatriation of Burundi refugees living in Tanzania.
It need not be emphasized that the return of refugees to
their homeland is a crucial element in the healing and
normalization process in that troubled country. As host
to over 800,000 refugees from Burundi, Tanzania
expects repatriation of these refugees to be among the
top priority issues in the implementation of the Arusha
Agreement. It is our sincere hope that, in that exercise,
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) will include not only the half a
million people in the camps that they manage in
Kigoma and Ngara, but also the earlier caseloads of
about 300,000 they left to Tanzania to manage.
It is sad that Savimbi and his renegade UNITA
continue to be a menace in Angola. The United Nations
and the international community should do more to
stop this menace. If action could be taken in Kosovo
and Sierra Leone against criminal leaders, why not do
the same against Savimbi and UNITA? I believe it can
be done. Let us muster the political courage.
With regard to Western Sahara, Tanzania
reiterates its long-held position that this is a question of
decolonization and that the Sahrawi people have a right
to decide on their future through a referendum, as
stipulated in the relevant Security Council resolutions.
We fear that abandoning that path could lead to
untoward events.
It is regrettable that the situation in the Middle
East remains volatile and explosive. It is our hope that
the peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel
will be revived through a resolute commitment by all
parties. The United Nations has a major role in
ensuring that the peace process gets back on track. The
commitment made by President Bush on the creation of
the state of Palestine on the basis of Security Council
resolutions is very reassuring. We hope this will be
followed through and that the United States
Government will once again assume its leadership role.
As host country to the International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda, we cannot but reiterate our call
for continued support for the Tribunal. It is gratifying
that the Tribunal’s mission of bringing to justice those
responsible for the genocide in Rwanda is well under
way. Contrary to previous negative publicity, the
Tribunal is increasingly obtaining the appreciation and
credit it deserves for its work.
I would be remiss if I were to conclude my
remarks without saying a word about the debilitating
disease of HIV/AIDS. The impact of this worldwide
scourge is not only a major scientific and medical
challenge, but a threat to the very existence of
humanity. Our leaders at the June special session
dedicated to HIV/AIDS pronounced themselves on this
scourge and on their resolve to fight it. Let me express
our appreciation for the leadership role of the United
Nations, particularly the Secretary-General’s
commitment to combat this global crisis, from which
no corner of this world is safe.
I believe that, with resolute political will, the war
against this world pandemic is not insurmountable.