ASSEMBLY ENDORSES INTENSIFIED COOPERATION BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS, ARAB LEAGUE; NEED TO PROMOTE PEACE,ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRESSED
Press Release
GA/9167
ASSEMBLY ENDORSES INTENSIFIED COOPERATION BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS, ARAB LEAGUE; NEED TO PROMOTE PEACE,ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRESSED
19961119 Central American Situation Also Reviewed; General Acclaim For Political Progress, Social Improvements Now Main PriorityThe General Assembly this afternoon adopted without a vote a resolution on intensified cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
Introducing the draft, the representative of Syria expressed the League's desire for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. For this to work, however, there had to be a balanced peace formula. The observer for the League of Arab States paid tribute to the continuing consultations and contacts between the United Nations and the League of Arab organizations at all levels. Efforts to resolve the question of Palestine were at the head of the concerns of the League.
The representative of Israel said he joined the consensus in favour of the resolution because of his country's desire to make peace with its neighbours, all of whom were members of the League of Arab States. Just as Israel was committed to peace, it was equally committed to regional economic cooperation. Also this afternoon the Assembly begin its review of the situation in Central America. Introducing a draft resolution, the representative of Costa Rica said the region was a successful model of settlement of conflicts and the re-establishment of peace. The success of the Central American peace process was an achievement of the international community and of United Nations.
Member States praised the progress made towards peace and stability in Central America and underlined the importance of economic and social development to maintain the process. The representative of Colombia said that the progress by the region in leaving behind its violent past could only be described as "spectacular". The representative of Venezuela said that the region had demonstrated that peaceful negotiations were the most appropriate way to solve conflicts. Japan and Norway described their assistance programmes supporting Central American development.
Statements on the situation in Central America were also made by Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Ireland on behalf of the European Union, United States and Uruguay. Action on the draft resolution was deferred to a later date, to be announced.
The Assembly this afternoon also completed its debate on the report of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, with statements from the representatives of the Russian Federation, Venezuela and Pakistan.
The Assembly meets again tomorrow, 20 November at 10 a.m., to fill vacancies in the Joint Inspection Unit, and take up the question of the support of the United Nations system for efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies, and a draft resolution on that item (A/51/L.20).
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Assembly Work Programme
The General Assembly met this afternoon to complete its consideration of the third annual report of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The Assembly was also scheduled to review the situation in Central America, and to discuss cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
International Tribunal on Former Yugoslavia
The report of the International Tribunal (document A/51/292-S/1996/665) states that during its third year, the Tribunal moved from the "drawing board" to the operational stage, testing both the normative and logistical infrastructure constructed during its first two years. With the Tribunal's first trial under way, two other cases in the pre-trial phase, and a fourth case at the sentencing stage, the accused having entered a guilty plea, the Tribunal has become a functioning judicial organ. Provisions on detention and provisional release have been applied for the first time, as have rules of sentencing.
The report goes on to review in detail the activities of the Tribunal during the period under review (July 1995 to July 1996), stating that its work was greatly facilitated by the improved security situation which followed the signing of the Dayton Agreement last December. However, the lack of cooperation on the part of some States and entities of the Former Yugoslavia to cooperate has tempered the forward strides of the Tribunal as well as progress towards a new era of international implementation of humanitarian law. (For additional details on the report, see Press Release GA/9166 issued today.)
Situation in Central America
The Assembly also has before it a report of the Secretary-General (document A/51/338) and a related draft resolution (document A/51/L.18) by which the Assembly would commend the efforts of the peoples and Governments of the Central American countries; support the decision of the Presidents of the region to declare Central America a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development; and emphasize the work accomplished by the Central American Integration System in favour of subregional integration to promote economic growth.
The Assembly would also support the adoption of the Framework Treaty on Democratic Security in the region, by other provisions of the draft. It would call upon the parties to comply fully with their commitments under the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala, reiterate its recognition of the effective participation of the Secretary-General to ensure
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the successful implementation of the El Salvador Peace Agreement and support the treatment accorded Nicaragua in the light of the country's recovery, social reconstruction and continuing exceptional circumstances. It would also request a further report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the resolution and include the item in the agenda of the fifty-second session. The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Russian Federation and Uruguay. According to the Secretary-General's report, the United Nations has assisted the efforts of Central American countries to achieve a lasting peace since 1983. A more direct involvement in the peace process was precipitated by the Esquipulas II agreement, signed by the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on 7 August 1987. In February 1989, at a summit meeting in El Salvador, the Central American Presidents called upon the United Nations to become involved in the verification of those agreements. Since that time, the Organization has encouraged the Central American countries to consolidate their progress towards peace, freedom, democracy and development. (For additional details, see Press Release GA/9166 issued today.)
Cooperation with League of Arab States
For its consideration of cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, the Assembly has before it a report of the Secretary-General (document A/51/380 and Add.1), and a 19-Power draft resolution (document A/51/L.8). U nder the provisions of the draft resolution, the Assembly would request the Secretariat of the United Nations and the General Secretariat of the League to intensify their cooperation. It would also decide that a general meeting between the United Nations system and the League take place once every two years and that inter-agency sectoral meetings be organized regularly. It would also recommend that the next general meeting on cooperation between the representatives of the secretariats of the United Nations system and the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and its specialized agencies be held during 1997. The resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The report of the Secretary-General reviews meetings and other cooperative activities undertaken by the United Nations and its agencies, and the Arab League. An addendum to the report reviews activities of the Department of Public Information (DPI) taken to promoting independent and pluralistic Arab media. (For further details see Press Release GA/9166 issued today.)
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International Tribunal
ALEKSANDR S. GORELIK (Russian Federation) said his country attached great importance to the work of the Tribunal, which was being carried out in very difficult conditions. There were efforts to manipulate its work, but as experience was gained he was sure that things would improve. He knew that the President of the tribunal and his colleagues were putting in a lot of thorough, impartial work. He said the tribunal must be entirely free from all outside influences, since he was certain that its activities would be able to foster peace in the region.
RAMON ESCOVAR-SALOM (Venezuela) said the Tribunal was established to fill a vacuum in international law. The statements made today, both by the President of the court and other speakers, were very important for the future of law in the world, in the efforts to build an international order in which the experience of the Former Yugoslavia would never be repeated. The current problems of the Tribunal must be used to continue to develop international law. The Sixth Committee, he noted, was currently working on conditions that would also help to develop international law.
MASOOD KHAN (Pakistan) said that to ensure the effective functioning of the Tribunal, the Security Council had prescribed that all States should cooperate with it. Those responsible for the crimes must not be allowed to undermine the effectiveness of the Tribunal through delays. Certain States had refused to comply with the arrest warrants issued by the Tribunal, in blatant violation of Security Council resolutions. Others had failed to investigate and prosecute violations of humanitarian law. Those States which had committed atrocities were trying to protect the criminals through different legal stratagems. He said that the surrender of those indicted did not violate States' extradition regulations; it had nothing to do with extradition.
His country had full confidence in the impartiality of the Tribunal, he continued. All allegations against the Tribunal were baseless and there was no bias against the Serbs. The Tribunal would prosecute individuals, but it could not be forgotten that individuals were supported by States. To promote peace in the region, the international community must ensure full and timely implementation of all aspects of the arrangements agreed to by the parties. The international community must reject a proposal from the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republika Srpska to try persons accused of crimes in their own territories.
FAROUK AL-ATTAR (Syria), introducing the draft resolution, said the Arab League had often expressed its concern for the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. For this to work, however, there had to be a balanced peace formula. The cooperation between the United Nations
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and the League must continue to be promoted, in order to achieve a peace that would endure, according to the principles of the Charter and in their spirit. He added that support for the Arab States in this trying period was a noble objective which ought to attract the support of all members of the international community. He called for the resolution to be adopted by consensus as a demonstration of this support.
MAHMOUD ABOUL-NASR, observer for the League of Arab States, paid tribute to the continuing consultations and contacts between the United Nations and the Arab League at all levels. Such meetings and visits reaffirmed the provisions of Chapter 8 of the Charter and allowed cooperation on a wide range of international issues. The world today was delicate and sensitive, he said, and required the strengthening the Charter of the United Nations and the promotion of its effectiveness. The League was ready to contribute in translating into action the declaration made by the heads of State and Government at the United Nations 50th anniversary last year.
He said the Arab League was following the efforts of the United Nations and the Secretary- General to resolve many issues around the world. The question of Palestine was at the head of the League's concerns. Unfortunately, the current environment did not call for optimism, given Israel's refusal to honour previously-reached agreements, and its plans to build new settlements, among other issues. The League hoped the opportunity would not be lost to build a just and durable peace. It was desirous of continuing cooperation with the United Nations in all fields. The draft revolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States was adopted without a vote.
Explanation of Vote
YAEL RUBINSTEIN (Israel), speaking in explanation of vote following the vote, said Israel's decision to join the consensus on the resolution had been guided by its desire to make peace with its neighbours, all of whom were members of the League of Arab States. Israel had also taken steps to implement the Interim Agreement signed with the Palestinians. Israeli Defence Forces had redeployed from six of the large Arab cities on the West Bank. Palestinians throughout the territories had assumed responsibility for their own affairs, including internal security, public order and all aspects of their daily lives.
She said that just as Israel was committed to peace, it was equally committed to strengthening regional economic ties. Israel was encouraged by steps taken to lift economic boycotts, such as last year's decision of the Gulf Cooperation Council to lift the secondary and tertiary boycott against Israel. It was hoped that those positive developments would find expression within the framework of the League of Arab States. The time had come for the
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members of the League to take further measures so as to eliminate their boycott against Israel altogether. As a first step, the League could adopt a decision similar to that taken by the Gulf Council.
She noted that the third Middle East/North African Economic Summit had been held in Cairo last month. Business leaders from Israel, the Arab States and Muslim States from beyond the region had met and concluded arrangements which would help augment the productive capacity of the region and contribute to its broad-based economic development.
Israel supported the cooperation between the United Nations and various regional organizations, including the League of Arab States. However, it was regrettable that Israel still did not belong to a regional group at the United Nations, due to the political objections of some Member States. Israel called upon the members of the League to lift their objections to the admission of Israel to the Asian Group.
She said Israel urged the establishment of joint projects with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of regional agricultural development in areas under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Council. Israel felt the Arab world must devote a greater share of aid to the Palestinian Council, to match the aid given by such donors as the European Union. Israel welcomed efforts to advance the socio-economic, educational, health and cultural standing of the Palestinian residents of the territories.
Situation in Central America
RODRIGO X. CARRERAS, Deputy Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, also speaking on behalf of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, introduced the draft resolution on item 40, "The situation in Central America: Procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development".
Recounting the events which led to the signing of the Agreement of Esquipulas II, he emphasized the importance of the Central American Integration System embodied in the Tegucigalpa Protocol. Like Esquipulas, it was an authentic example of communal organization and a mechanism for regional harmonization, he said. A system had been established for the constant evaluation of the mechanism, with the constant support of the Interamerican Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Since 1994, a new proposal for national and regional development, the Alliance for Sustainable Development, had been defined.
In 1996, he went on, Central American countries could prove to the international community that peace and democracy were possible after armed
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conflicts. Central America was a successful model for the settlement of conflicts and the re-establishment of peace. The international community, played a relevant role in that success. Without its support, it would have been difficult to speak of the consolidation and sustainability of the Central American process. Its success was thus also an achievement of the international community and of the United Nations.
RAMON ESCOVAR-SALOM (Venezuela) said the progress achieved in Central America showed that peaceful negotiations were the most appropriate way to solve conflicts. With negotiation, chances were that positive results might be obtained, as was evident in the area since the signing of the Esquipulas II Agreement in 1987, which established the principles and procedures that should prevail in the global process of peace in the region.
The challenge now was to face the difficulties of unemployment, social decay and poverty. He said it was necessary to promote liberty, democracy and development, maintaining a close relation between them. To focus on these objectives would result in the consolidation of peace and security in a region where conflict had been the result of inequalities.
He noted two "outstanding events" which revealed the political will of the countries of the region in this area. The first was the signing of the Alliance for Sustainable Development in Central America. The other was the subscription of the Framework Agreement of Democratic Security in Central America. Venezuela would continue to foster the necessary actions to preserve confidence and goodwill among all parties, in order to continue the regional process of peace.
JOSE JAIME NICHOLLS (Colombia) said the progress made in the Central American region in leaving behind its violent past could only be described as "spectacular". It showed that peace was a realizable goal, and that dialogue and negotiation constituted the best and only road to achieve it, when the will was there.
As a member of the Group of Friends of the peace processes of El Salvador and Guatemala, Colombia had the privilege of observing the immense efforts of those two nations in their search for peace, as well as the transparent and efficient collaboration of the United Nations. The signing of the peace agreements in Guatemala, next 29 December, would be a source of pride and hope for the whole region and the international community as well. Guatemala was another of the United Nations success stories. As for El Salvador, it was well on its way to becoming an open, participatory society working towards development.
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JOAO CLEMENTE BAENA SOARES (Brazil) said that for the first time in 30 years, Central America was not only at peace, but on its way towards political stability and economic and social development. The joint declaration of the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaría Nacional Guatemalteca (UNRG) last August put an end to a painful cycle in the history of Central American nations. Central America was now, along with the other Latin American nations, on the path of democratization and institution- building, as demonstrated by the elections in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
He said Brazil believed that the objectives of the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Central America, and cooperation within the framework of the Central American Integration System, were complementary and offered the basic guidelines for an action strategy for the political and social development of Central American. Within that context, the work of UNDP and all other United Nations agencies was very important and deserved all support. JAKKEN BJORN LIAN (Norway) said it was heartening that the trend towards political democratization and normalization in Central America had been further consolidated since last year. But widespread problems of unemployment and the distribution of the benefits of reform remained. Continued support and solidarity from the international community was still necessary, but success would largely depend on the will and ability of Central American Governments to respond to the needs and aspirations of their own peoples.
He welcomed the announcement that 36 years of internal armed conflict in Guatemala would come to an end formally on 26 December. The peace process had been actively encouraged, promoted and monitored by the international community. The establishment and deployment of the United Nations Human Rights Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) represented an extremely significant pillar in the construction of a new Guatemala; its presence had given renewed hope to the civilian population that peace, justice, reconstruction and reconciliation might become realities.
He said that in El Salvador, the increasing political polarization, the level of poverty, the social antagonism and the public security situation continued to give rise to grave concern. Credible steps should now be taken to pursue the political and social transformation more vigorously.
In Nicaragua, the high voter turnout in the October elections was an encouraging sign that would further strengthen democracy, but was a matter of serious concern, that Nicaragua was among the most indebted countries in the world. The continued support of the international community was required for the country to be able to develop further. Norway was prepared to maintain its assistance to Nicaragua, but outside help could only be a supplement to national efforts to ensure continued progress.
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JUAN JOSE CASTELLI (Argentina) said that for decades Central America experienced confrontation and violence. The situation was so serious that towards the end of the 1980s there were about 2 million displaced people in the area. But, fortunately the region was not immune to the positive changes going on around the world, beginning with the end of the cold war. Economic progress would need the cooperation of everyone, in order to attract new investment and growth. Argentina believed there was a need to deal with the many problems following the end of the war. He hoped the resolution would be adopted by consensus.
HISASHI OWADA (Japan) said that in recent years, the countries of Central America had made remarkable progress toward the achievement of sustainable development, thanks to their firm commitment to democracy and open market principles. It was incumbent upon the international community to continue to assist them in their efforts to enhance democratization, protect human rights and achieve economic stability.
Economic cooperation with the region should focus on social development, human capacity building and the promotion of economic infrastructure, he continued. Attention should be paid to the relationship between development and the environment. In the last five years, Japan had nearly quadrupled its economic and technical cooperation extended to Central America, going from $55 million in 1990 to $200 million in 1995. Next year, Japan would extend cooperation for a regional waste management programme and would convene a seminar to assist countries in developing their tourism industry.
The peace process in Guatemala had reached its final stage, this year, he said. Japan hoped that agreement on a peace settlement would be finalized on 29 December, as was scheduled. The achievements of MINUGUA deserved special commendation. Japan had contributed $100,000 to the Organization of American States (OAS) in support of the 1995 presidential elections in Guatemala. He observed that democracy had taken a firm hold in Nicaragua, and said his Government had extended more than $700,000 to the Nicaraguan electoral commission and to the OAS in support of democratic elections.
JORGE PEREZ-OTERMIN (Uruguay) said his country viewed with great satisfaction, the tremendous progress towards peace in Central America, but it also noted the many psychological wounds that would not be easy to cure. Uruguay stood ready to help to ensure that tomorrow would be bountiful for the people in that region. Now that peace had been established, it must be kept in mind that while there could be no development without peace, there could be no peace without development. The roots of the problem in the region were not so much political, as economic and socio-cultural. He said UNDP and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) should play a greater role in the education question.
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JOHN H. F. CAMPBELL (Ireland), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the past year had seen significant progress towards the consolidation of firm and lasting peace in Central America and in transforming the region into one of peace, freedom, democracy and development. The signing of the Peace Agreement in Guatemala next month would mean that for the first time in nearly three decades, Central America would be without armed conflict. He noted however, that important steps still needed to be taken in Guatemala and El Salvador. The European Union considered that the United Nations had contributed actively and positively to the peace process.
In El Salvador the process had maintained its momentum, and contributed significantly to the consolidation of a democratic order, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The European Union was pleased that the recent elections in Nicaragua were held peacefully, and he called on all parties to continue to work towards the consolidation of democracy there. He agreed with the report of the Secretary-General that the pursuit of economic growth, social justice and further democratisation would have to be approached with the same sense of urgency brought to bear on the resolution of civil war and regional tensions.
He said the "Alliance for Sustainable Development" provided a framework for efforts at development in Central America, with emphasis on collective efforts to reduce poverty through social integration, human development and investment in human capital, while recognising the importance of environmental protection. He asked that the European Union and its member States were, as a whole, the main donors in the area of cooperation for the region.
FRANCIS LEBLANC (Canada) said that in El Salvador, with nearly all the commitments under the Peace Accords having been implemented, the Government and people were directing their efforts to the development of their society and economy. Nicaragua had recently held open and free elections. It was hoped that during the peaceful transition from one administration to the next, all Nicaraguans would join together to confront the development challenges they must face. Canada also welcomed the substantial progress towards a final peace accord in Guatemala. The political will of the parties to achieve that end had been of great importance.
The people and the Governments of Central American deserved the congratulations of the international community, he said. The Secretary-General and the Secretariat of the United Nations deserved thanks for their important contributions, as did the United Nations peace-keeping operations which had done so much in the region.
PREZELL ROBINSON (United States) said that during the past decade the political landscape of Central America had been transformed. The United Nations had played an important role in moving the region from war to peace.
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During the last year, the nations of the region had made impressive strides towards peace, reconciliation and sustainable development. The Government of Guatemala and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) would sign an agreement ending Central America's oldest conflict. The United States was proud to have supported the parties during the negotiation process. The Government of the United States would provide substantial assistance to Guatemala in support of economic development, social equality and an improved life for the people.
Noting the progress in El Salvador and in Nicaragua, he said the United States was heartened by the efforts of the people and Governments of Central America to work together to promote sustainable development. He also welcomed cooperation in fighting common security threats and to promote trade.
EDWARD A. LAING (Belize) said there was no doubt that the Central American region was on the road to lasting peace and progress. He was happy that it had continued to receive the support it deserved from the international community and the United Nations. These efforts would be useless, however, if the people themselves did not make the effort. He congratulated the United Nations and the States in the area, while calling on all in the isthmus to redouble their efforts to help themselves and each other. Each and every diverse element must be harnessed, he said, and "so- called historic Central America and geographic wider Central America and Mezzo America must work in lockstep to bring to the peoples of the area the peace, freedom, democracy and sustainable development they all deserve".
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