SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH NATIONAL RECONCILIATION PROCESS IN MALI, PROMISES UNITED NATIONS WILL HELP MALI DEVELOP
Press Release
SG/SM/5943
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH NATIONAL RECONCILIATION PROCESS IN MALI, PROMISES UNITED NATIONS WILL HELP MALI DEVELOP
19960329 Following is the text of the message from Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on the occasion of the flame of peace ceremony in Tombouctou, Mali, on 27 March:I should like, on behalf of the United Nations and on my own personal behalf, to give my wholehearted support and backing to the important ceremony that is taking place today.
The signing, in 1992, of the national pact between the Government of the Republic of Mali and the Mouvements et Fronts Unis de l'Azawad has led to the opening of a vast process of reconciliation.
At the time, I hailed the courage of all those who had agreed to take part in it. I have made sure that the international community encourages and promotes your efforts in the service of peace. Peace, as we all know, is a lengthy and continuing process. It requires, first of all, disarmament and that the former combatants be confined to their barracks. Today, that goal has very widely been achieved. And I believe that the ceremony of the symbolic destruction of weapons that you are organizing here is yet further evidence that there is, indeed, peace.
However, peace cannot be real unless it is also accompanied by lasting development. In this connection, the United Nations will work steadfastly to assist Mali in the task that it is carrying out in the service of all its people. Through the action of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and through all of its agencies, the world Organization will continue to assist the Malian authorities in the implementation of the development programmes for the regions of the North. I want Mali to know that it can definitely count on all its development partners.
Today, I should therefore like, once again, to commend those who have been able to silence the weapons and open the dialogue of peace for their wisdom and courage. Africa is essentially a continent of dialogue. It must, now more than ever, build upon this virtue. For that is the only guarantee of a lasting peace.
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I am convinced that you will be able to build, with steadfastness and tenacity, the national reconciliation which is necessary to the future of the country and to the well-being of the men and women of Mali.
I, therefore, hope that this "flame of peace" will rise up high in the sky of Africa. May it enlighten your minds. May it illuminate your hearts. May it shine upon your entire region. May it bear witness to the strength and vigour of your commitment to follow the path of peace on which you have so courageously embarked.
Believe me, today, I am with you wholeheartedly. I wish you all the very best in your efforts to achieve development and in your dialogue of peace.
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