SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES CANADA'S COMMITMENT TO UNITED NATIONS AT OTTOWA GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S LUNCHEON
Press Release
SG/SM/5820
SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES CANADA'S COMMITMENT TO UNITED NATIONS AT OTTOWA GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S LUNCHEON
19951122 Following is the text of the toast delivered by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on the occasion of a luncheon given on his behalf by the Governor-General of Canada, Romeo Le Blanc, in Ottowa on 22 November:Depuis sa création, l'Organisation des Nations Unies sait qu'elle peut compter sur le Canada. Car votre pays a su sans relâche - y compris dans les moments les plus difficiles - affirmer fortement sa foi dans les valeurs et dans les principes de l'Organisation mondiale.
Croyez bien que je vous suis très reconnaissant de défendre avec une telle constance nos idéaux et de soutenir avec une telle vigueur notre action au service de la communauté internationale.
En tant que Secrétaire général des Nations Unies, c'est pour moi un réel plaisir et un véritable réconfort que de me retrouver, aujourd'hui, parmi vous, en terre canadienne.
En cette année où nous célébrons le cinquantième Anniversaire de l'ONU, les Canadiennes et les Canadiens ont montré, plus que jamais, leur attachement à l'Organisation mondiale. Et je veux saisir cette occasion pour exprimer ma profonde gratitude au Comité national canadien pour le cinquantième Anniversaire, et lui dire combien, sous l'impulsion de l'Ambassadeur Douglas Roche, son travail de mobilisation a été exemplaire.
Mais je voudrais souligner aussi les liens multiples qu'a su tisser le Canada, au-delà de l'Organisation mondiale, au sein de grandes institutions internationales, tels que le Groupe des pays les plus industrialisés, le Commonwealth, la Communauté francophone ou l'espace nord-américain de libre- échange.
Ce sont les caractéristiques mêmes de la nation canadienne, ouverte au dialogue et riche de sa diversité culturelle, qui ont donné à ses relations internationales leur pleine originalité.
Ainsi, tout au long des années, le Canada a su établir des contacts multiples et variés, sur l'ensemble de la planète. Des Etats de la Caraïbe jusqu'au coeur de l'Europe, de l'Inde jusqu'aux rivages de l'Afrique, le Canada a su créer des rapports privilégiés sur tous les continents.
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Par là même, le Canada révèle son esprit de solidarité, d'ouverture et de générosité envers les autres peuples et les autres nations. Votre pays démontre aussi le sens de la responsabilité qui l'anime à l'égard de la communauté internationale dans son ensemble, de ses valeurs et de son devenir.
Canada is -- it seems to me -- by its history, its present situation, and its vision of the future -- an exceptionally thoughtful country. One finds that issues which seem new and challenging for the international community have been seriously thought about for some time in Canada. So Canada has gone further than most countries in spelling out its rationale for international action. Last year, through the appointment of the Foreign Policy Forum, Canada began a process of national debate about the objectives of foreign policy. The Special Joint Committee Reviewing Canadian Foreign Policy undertook a nationwide process of consultation.
Canada has recognized clearly that many of its goals can be pursued only in concert with other countries. The report of the Special Joint Committee noted the importance of a multilateral approach. It understood the value of a rules-based international system. It coined the phrase "directed multilateralism" to signal that multilateralism is not incompatible with selective bilateralism.
At a time when vital decisions must be made about the future of the United Nations, some are hesitant, ambivalent or ambiguous in their approach. That is not the case with Canada. Everyday, Canada's strong commitment is expressed through active and creative Canadian involvement in the work of the Organization. It is demonstrated by Canada's informed participation in debates about the mission of the United Nations. It is deepened by Canada's own clear approach to a world which is challenged at one and the same time by the dialectical forces of globalization and of fragmentation.
Democratization will be the key to the resolution of the great contending forces of our time. Democracy will be essential for the better world we all seek. Here, too, Canada is a leader in stimulating discussion and promoting action. I welcome the Canadian Government's commitment to democracy as a source and an objective of Canadian foreign policy.
Canada's commitment can be crucial to the future of the world Organization. Canada's advocacy of change is backed by its long record of unwavering commitment to the achievements of the past and to the imperative of moving forward for peace, development, justice and human rights. That is why Canada's voice on the future of the international system carries such authority, and why it must be heard.
I am deeply appreciative of the kind hospitality I have received in the course of my visit to Canada. I am immensely grateful for the understanding and support which the Government and people of Canada have consistently shown towards the United Nations. I invite you to raise your glasses to the Queen, the Governor-General and the people of Canada.
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