PAKISTAN, ACTING IN SELF-DEFENCE, ESTABLISHED NUCLEAR DETERRENCE; PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN TELLS ASSEMBLY DURING GENERAL DEBATE
Press Release
GA/9450/Rev.1*
PAKISTAN, ACTING IN SELF-DEFENCE, ESTABLISHED NUCLEAR DETERRENCE; PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN TELLS ASSEMBLY DURING GENERAL DEBATE
19980923 Prime Minister of Ireland Says Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement Parity of Pain and GainThe Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, told the General Assembly this afternoon that immediately after India's nuclear tests in May, the Indian leaders had adopted a belligerent posture towards Pakistan.
During the Assembly's continuing general debate, Prime Minister Sharif said that India had conducted tests to alter the strategic balance and threaten his country's security and sovereignty. Pakistan had not initiated the tests, but instead had been forced to establish nuclear deterrence in self-defence. The world must understand that if India resumed testing, Pakistan would review the situation and invoke the supreme interest clause provided by article 9 of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Pakistan, however, was committed to resolving its problems with India through dialogue.
The Foreign Minister of Ireland, David Andrews, said that the "Good Friday agreement" concerning Northern Ireland marked a historic new beginning in relations within Northern Ireland, between the North and the South of the island, and between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The agreement -- a blueprint for the future -- contained a complex set of checks and balances, with a parity of pain and gain. "In the North", he said, "divisions and fears were not challenged. They festered and brought us almost three decades of violence. The peace process allowed us to challenge and resolve the fears and divisions."
Discussing conflicts in Africa, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, President of Djibouti, urged the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea to "give peace a chance". Djibouti had attempted to address the conflict in a number of ways, although there were few real signs of easing the stalemate. It was incumbent on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea to go beyond the immediate problem and look towards a better future.
* Revised to correct information on page 15 in the statement by the representative of Rwanda, Gideon Kayinamura, in exercise of the right of reply.
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President Aptidon said that in Somalia, where the people were hungry for national reconciliation, the "reckless adventurism" of the ruling warlords had brought the country to its knees. He urged the United Nations to re-engage in Somalia, which, since the Organization's exodus and disengagement, had been the representation of a failed State.
Ibrahim Maïnassara Baré, President of Niger, said the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve conflicts in West Africa demonstrated the advantage which subregional and regional organizations had in preventing and managing certain conflicts. Regional organizations' unparalleled knowledge of local events could be harmonized with the logistical skill and expertise of the United Nations to better address local conflicts.
Arnoldo Alemán Lacayo, President of Nicaragua, said his nation was consolidating peace and democracy, having as its foundation full respect for human rights, the rule of law, respect for the separation of powers and the guarantee of individual liberties. Also, President Alemán Lacayo said the social politics of government required healthy and effective economic policies that ensured permanency and preserved the will for development. To that end, his Government promoted an atmosphere of stability for the private sector to generate production and work.
Statements were also made by the Foreign Ministers of Portugal, Ukraine, Chile, Spain, Czech Republic, Sweden and the Dominican Republic.
Statements were also made in exercise of the right of reply by the representatives of Rwanda, Uganda, Iran, United Kingdom, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates.
The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow to continue its general debate.
Assembly Work Programme
The Assembly met this afternoon to continue its general debate. It was expected to hear from Hassan Gouled Aptidon, President of Djibouti; Ibrahim Mainassara Bare, President of Niger; Arnoldo Aleman Lacayo, President of Nicaragua; and Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Foreign Ministers of Portugal, Ukraine, Chile, Spain, Czech Republic, Sweden, Ireland and the Dominican Republic were also expected to address the Assembly.
DIDIER OPERTTI (Uruguay), President of the General Assembly, announced that the Republic of Moldova and Burundi had made the necessary payments to reduce their arrears according to Article 19.
Statements in General Debate
HASSAN GOULED APTIDON, President of Djibouti, said while the United Nations mandate to maintain international peace and security, and promote development remained the same, the United Nations of today must embrace the realities of the new millennium, he said. The phenomenal growth in the membership of the United Nations brought with it the expectations of a more democratic, transparent and representative body. He noted that the Security Council was a body which needed to undergo a thorough transformation. It must come to reflect a more equitable geographical representation, for developing as well as the developed world.
Regarding the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, he urged both nations to "give peace a chance". Djibouti had attempted to address the conflict in a number of ways, although there were few real signs of easing the stalemate. It was incumbent upon both leaders to go beyond the immediate problem and look toward a better and promising future.
Globalization and the rapid expansion of the international economy had brought immense benefits to many countries and individuals around the globe, he said. However, a great number of countries -- particularly developing countries -- were increasingly faced with marginalization. Many were not able to cope with the rapid pace of integration.
Africa could not rely on the much vaunted policy of "African solutions to African problems", he said. Africa could not do it alone and its nations would require continued support from the industrial countries to achieve economic recovery. He said the people of Somalia were in need of "national reconciliation". However, the warlords ruling the country, with their "reckless adventurism", had failed and brought the country and its several million citizens to its knees. The United Nations exodus and disengagement from Somalia had caused Somalia to become the representation of a failed State. The devastated country required the re-engagement of the United Nations.
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He also addressed the practice of sanctions to thwart violations of international law, or punish uncontrolled criminal behaviour. He said sanctions are often too general and broad in their application and serve as instruments of someone's political agenda. Real targets or target groups are missed, while a broad, innocent population is harmed, he said. Furthermore, the original purpose of the sanctions as a tool become lost and thereafter assume a life of their own.
IBRAHIM MAINASSARA BARE, President of the Niger, said the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve conflicts in West Africa demonstrate the advantage which subregional and regional organizations had in preventing and managing certain conflicts. Regional organizations' unparalleled knowledge of the local events could be harmonized with the logistical skill and expertise of the United Nations. Yet, much still had to be done to ensure that nations such as Somalia were firmly headed towards national reconstruction. Regarding the situation in the Great Lakes region, he called on concerned countries to accept mediation offers to resolve the conflict.
The international community should find appropriate collective initiatives to respond to terrorism, he said. While fully condemning terrorism, his Government disapproved of any unilateral military recourse against sovereign countries. It seemed necessary, he stressed, to send a special envoy to conduct an international inquiry of such recent actions.
The recent escalation of the arms race had convinced his Government of the urgent need to convene an extraordinary session of the General Assembly on disarmament, he said. Better methods of controlling materials used in weapons of mass destruction were needed, as were more efficient means of regulating conventional weapons. Furthermore, the success of the recent efforts to prohibit the use of landmines should encourage the international community to better regulate light arms and small weapons.
It was time to strengthen global partnership in support of development and to reverse the reduction of official development assistance (ODA), he said. In that regard, his country, along with others, would explore new development strategies to mobilize public assistance for development at the upcoming international conference on African development, in Tokyo in October. Political negotiations should begin to finalize a long overdue agreement to cancel the external debt of the poorest countries.
Given the continuing marginalization of the African nations, an international mechanism was needed to assure the integration of developing countries into the world economy, he said. Several factors had limited Niger's development, he said, noting that it was classified at the bottom of the scale regarding human development. His Government had developed, for the
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first time, a programme to fight poverty and stimulate the economy. Furthermore, the democratic process under way in his country was irreversible. His Government was resolutely committed to consolidating the gains thus far achieved in the country.
ARNOLDO ALEMAN LACAYO, President of Nicaragua, said it was of great concern that there were postponements and an absence of concrete proposals from the Open Ended Working Group on the question of Equitable Representation in the Security Council. Those resolutions that entailed modifications to the fundamental Charter of the Organization must be approved by two thirds of the General Assembly Members.
At the end of the twentieth century, the world faced profound changes that required innovative solutions for humanity to move in a direction where science and technology could have positive effects on national development, he said. The historic transformations of the times had frequently increased inequalities between countries, and the international community must prepare to reduce those negative effects. Nicaragua was moving forward in consolidating peace and democracy, having as its basis full respect for human rights, the rule of law, respect for the separation of powers and the guarantee of individual liberties. Also, it had taken important steps to reach higher levels of economic development with social equity.
Believing that human capital was one of the best investments for integral and sustainable development, Nicaragua emphasized its intention to raise the levels of education and broaden its reach to all sectors, he said. It was also redirecting efforts and resources to maintain and improve the social programmes for the protection of individuals and families in great poverty. The social politics of government required healthy and effective economic policies that ensured permanency and the will for development. In that regard, the general objective of the government was to promote the conditions for the private sector to generate production and work within an atmosphere of stability, promoted through dialogue and agreement. The strengthening of the justice system was essential in that context. The macroeconomic transformations that Nicaragua had undertaken included significant reforms in the taxation and financial systems and measures to protect the environment. Those initiatives had been backed by the international community, and he acknowledged the assistance received from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and especially its support of the National Commission for Sustainable Development.
Nicaragua would be the most open economy in Central America in the year 2000, he said. It had signed a Treaty for Free Trade with Mexico and with the Dominican Republic and planned to sign similar treaties with Chile and Panama. Nicaragua was the first country to sign the Accords for the Protection of Intellectual Property and Investment with the United States. It was a firm believer in the free market economy, with a humanistic sensibility and social justice. Globalization was not a panacea, although it was an exceptional
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opportunity if prudent and realistic measures were taken, he said.
In the first 18 months of his administration, Nicaragua had the greatest rate of economic growth in Central America, he said. The country had also generated 170,000 new jobs and brought inflation down to an annual level of 7 per cent. There were signs that appeared to indicate that, given the steps it was taking and the inhuman sacrifices, the time-frame for becoming creditors to the various international financial institutions could be shortened. Nicaragua's dark past of destruction and violence had left a gigantic external debt and a devastated economy, that in a few years had suffered a setback of more than 50 years. Nicaragua sought help in securing relief from its asphyxiating debt, he said.
The United Nations was the most important and plural forum in which the opinions of all the States were freely expressed, with transcendent decisions taken within the framework of world policy, he said. However, it was sad to note the absence once again of the Republic of China, a founding Member of the Organization. The denial of the right of a people to be recognized with full and effective participation contradicted the spirit of the United Nations, and signified a painful collective violation of human rights of more than 21 million people. For that reason, he called on the international community to review resolution 2758 (XXVI), which unjustly excluded the Republic of China.
MOHAMMAD NAWAZ SHARIF, Prime Minister of Pakistan, said "we are being propelled into a future which appears anarchic and insecure". The economic crisis spreading from East Asia had shaken confidence in trade and financial liberalization. With falling incomes and failing hopes, strife had spread amongst and within nations in virtually every part of the world. Prospects for universally ending hunger, disease and ignorance were being negated. The multiplicity of conflicts and suffering around the world had also placed extraordinary demands on the United Nations.
Seventeen years of war had completely destroyed Afghanistan and Pakistan had, more than any other country, borne the consequences of that country's turmoil and suffering, he said. His country had a vital interest in the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan was deeply concerned about the current tensions between Iran and Afghanistan. Pakistan would continue to do all it could to promote peaceful and friendly relations between those two fraternal neighbours.
This year the nuclear cloud had cast its dark shadow over South Asia, he said. Immediately after its nuclear tests in May of this year, India's leaders had adopted a belligerent posture toward Pakistan. The world must understand that Pakistan had not initiated the tests. India had conducted tests to alter the strategic balance and threatened Pakistan's security and sovereignty. Circumstances had forced Pakistan to establish nuclear deterrence in self-defence. Although his country had violated no
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international norm, some countries had imposed sanctions and other restrictions against Pakistan. Those actions were unjust, he said.
He asked the international community to determine who was in the wrong and why Pakistan should be subjected to punitive measures. His country's nuclear tests had been conducted to defend against the threat of force. In the present context, Pakistan would insist on the same treatment as India, in terms of status or incentives. It must also be understood that if India resumed testing, Pakistan would review its position and invoke the supreme interest clause provided under article 9 of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). His Government, however, was committed to resolving its problems with India through dialogue.
He said as the East Asian crisis spread, that decisions on how to manage globalization must be made by all nations. Specific policies must flow from the overriding objective of ensuring growth with equity.
Multilateral institutions should be strengthened to address issues of trade, finance and development in a coherent manner, thereby ensuring the effective "governance of globalization". It was also necessary to correct the inequities in the international trade regime, through more rapid liberalization in areas of primary interest to developing countries.
JAIME GAMA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal, said that in accordance with his country's historic, cultural and social ties with many regions and countries of Africa, Portugal continued to make efforts towards helping to overcome, by peaceful means, the conflicts that had devastated the continent since the end of the cold war, and towards the promotion of the indispensable elements of economic development, social progress and good governance.
He said that the signs of rupture were becoming more dangerously evident in the Angolan peace process. The refusal by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to fully comply with the obligations of the Lusaka Protocol, which it had freely signed -- with regard to its demilitarization and transformation into a political party, as well as the obstruction of the normalization of state administration -- contributed to the resort to military options outside the framework of the negotiated solutions adopted by the international community. The Government and UNITA must assume their responsibilities before the Angolan people, whose right to peace, security and well-being was legitimate and inalienable. The gains of a multi-party system in Angola must not be jeopardized.
Guinea-Bissau had been, since June, the site of a conflict that had had grave human, economic and social consequences for its people, he said. At the express request of the parties to the conflict, Portugal and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries had carried out mediation efforts designed to stop the fighting, obtain a negotiated solution to the conflict and bring
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humanitarian assistance to the population of Guinea-Bissau.
On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose stability was strategically essential to its region, he said Portugal defended unequivocally the need to respect that country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Portugal supported unconditionally the African peace initiatives, seeking a negotiated and peaceful solution to the Republic's complex political problems, solutions to which could not and should not be based on the use of force or on the presence of foreign military forces.
Turning to Europe, he said the crisis in Kosovo jeopardized peace and stability in the Balkans and was producing heavy human losses in deaths, injuries, internally displaced persons and refugees. There was no doubt as to who held the primary responsibility for the eruption of that crisis. The adoption, this afternoon, by the Security Council of a resolution co-sponsored by Portugal was a clear signal of the international community's determination and could not be ignored by those to whom it was addressed.
On East Timor, he said effective and promising steps had been taken towards creating the conditions to achieve a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution, with full respect for the legitimate rights of the East Timorese people. While safeguarding the basic positions of the parties, it had been agreed to negotiate for East Timor a wide-ranging autonomy resting on genuinely democratic and participatory rules for its people, who, it was hoped, would progressively establish an ample degree of self-government.
He said it had also been agreed to associate the East Timorese more closely to the negotiation process. It was necessary now to achieve tangible progress with regard to the more critical aspects of the situation in that territory, such as the reduction of the Indonesian military presence, the release of all East Timorese political prisoners, including Xanana Gusmao, and the monitoring by the United Nations of the evolution of the situation on the ground.
BORYS TARASYUK, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said a great advantage of globalization was the possibility of resolving problems of individual regions and countries by using world experiences and approaches that proved to be most efficient. However, recent years had been marked by some of the adverse effects of globalization. The financial crisis in Asia and the Russian Federation, repercussions of which had been acutely felt all over the world, had become a subject of special preoccupation in almost every country. The United Nations, which bore the responsibility for international stability and sustainable economic development, had to find the means and tools to help overcome the negative impact of globalization. In that regard, he reiterated the initiative of the President of Ukraine, announced in 1995, to establish a new United Nations Economic Security Council. Meanwhile,
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Member States could also entrust the Security Council with additional assignments and the responsibility to deal with economic and social challenges that have direct repercussions for international peace and security.
As a nation that had inherited the world's third largest nuclear arsenal and voluntarily renounced it, and that had suffered from one of the largest disasters of the century in Chernobyl, the issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation had a special meaning for Ukraine, he said. Ukraine had made the unprecedented and exemplary decision to initiate practical nuclear disarmament, and had strictly honoured its obligations. Therefore, it believed it had the moral right to urge other countries, first of all nuclear ones, to continue further reduction, and to totally destroy their nuclear potentials. The world community should take effective measures to create reliable mechanisms for non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and control over the implementation of respective international agreements. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was the only internationally binding document, which consolidated the world community around the concept of global security.
He underscored the need for strengthening the mechanisms of United Nations global monitoring and early warning of threats to international peace and security in order to facilitate Security Council readiness for a timely and efficient response. An important role was played by international sanctions, which made it possible to exert pressure without resorting to force. However, the mechanism for introducing sanctions required serious improvement. First, an efficient tool of compensation for the losses incurred by third countries observing the sanctions needed to be worked out. It was regrettable that all previous resolutions adopted by the General Assembly to assist such countries remained unaccomplished, leaving some Central and Eastern European countries to cope with unrewarded economic losses.
Ukraine believed that the future architecture of European security would be based on the principles of comprehensiveness, indivisibility and partnership, he said. His country also advocated further strengthening of the role of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as an important all-European tool for safeguarding stability on the continent by means of political mediation, protection of human and minorities' rights, strengthening of democracy, and humanitarian activity. Having contributed to the solution of global issues by fostering internal harmony, projecting stability through its active participation in non-proliferation and peacekeeping activities, and by shaping a vast network of regional cooperation, Ukraine gave top priority to strengthening peace and security, and aspired to be elected next year as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2000-2001.
The Organization's social and economic activities should focus more on the countries with economies in transition, to accelerate their integration into the world economy, he said. Ukraine's course for complete and
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comprehensive integration of its national economy into the European and global economic systems remained unchanged. He emphasized the strategy of Ukraine's integration into the European Union, which provided for harmonization of national legislation, intensive development of trade and economic relations with European Union members based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Ukraine supported the strengthening of the International Court of Justice, he said. The Security Council and other United Nations bodies ought to consider a better use of the Court's potential when dealing with international disputes. Regarding reform of the United Nations, he said it was necessary to continue wide-scale structural adjustments and reorganization of the United Nations activities to make them more result-oriented, business- like and tailored to meet the needs of the Member States. He added that it was impossible to imagine a reformed United Nations without resolving the issue of Security Council reform.
JOSE MIGUEL INSULZA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Chile, said the experience of many countries, Chile among them, showed that greater participation in the world economy, if appropriately channelled, could constitute a key element in economic growth and prosperity. However, an in-depth review of the current structures of the world financial system was needed to adapt them to the new challenges of "internationalization". No agency of the multilateral system, on its own, was in a position to bring certainty and stability to the current crisis. As a response to the crisis, he said his Government had adopted stringent measures to reduce public and private expenditure; avoid an upsurge of inflation; maintain social investment; and protect Chileans' jobs.
At a recent summit meeting of the Rio Group, participants had urged the countries where the crisis had arisen to take the necessary measures to correct their imbalances. They had also urged the "Group of Seven" industrialized countries to take action to restore the stability of the financial markets. The international financial institutions had been called on to work more rapidly and effectively to resolve the crisis.
A growing awareness of the need to address global problems collectively was motivating efforts to reform international regimes, he said. Chile supported establishing a new international framework, whether regional or global, to face certain challenges. Among such issues were drug-trafficking and international terrorism.
The various United Nations summits and conferences on economic and social issues had underscored the Organization's commitment to development, he said. Those forums had provided valuable conceptual tools and ideas for drawing up public policies to support economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development. Referring to the importance of the special session of the General Assembly in the year 2000 to review
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implementation of the commitments made during the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, he expressed the hope that new initiatives, at the national and international levels, would be adopted to permit further progress.
ABEL MATUTES, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain, told the Assembly that a paradoxical element in strengthening the current United Nations reform process was greater recognition of the limits that restricted its action. Indeed, the euphoria of the early nineties had been followed by a period of disappointment. Today, however, the reform process had certainly contributed to a renewed sense of control and confidence in the Organization. Within that debate, the issue of enlarging Security Council membership deserved special attention. The international community must not attempt to force decisions that could spark divisions within certain regional groups. The reform had to reflect the provisions of Article 108 of the Charter of the United Nations in any general agreement. Therefore, at present, there was no realistic alternative to enlarging the category of non-permanent membership only.
Of great concern, he said, was that no State forgot that full and timely payment of its contributions was a legally binding international obligation. Spain would, together with its European Union partners, explore ways for guaranteeing the United Nations' financial security. Spain was also following the application of reform measures proposed by the Secretary-General to eliminate lack of coordination and overlap in the activities of the different United Nations programmes and funds.
With the decade for decolonization about to end, it was important to recall, he noted, that the United Nations' work could not be considered complete as long as colonial situations remained. Recalling the Brussels Declaration of 1984, he said the current negotiation process to put an end to the colonial situation of Gibraltar would be advanced by the proposal put forth by his Government.
Continuing, he said that terrorism constituted a serious threat to domestic and international security, peaceful relations between States, the development and working of democratic institutions and human rights. Spain supported strengthening international cooperation mechanisms and building collective responses to the threat. His country had signed the Convention for the Repression of Terrorist Attacks with Bombs, and hoped that the proposed convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism could be adopted.
The international fight against drugs, he added, was given high priority by his Government. The special session in June, devoted to this universal problem, had concluded that international coordination was urgently needed in seeking global solutions based on co-responsibility, multilateralism, attention to sustainable development and increased regional and interregional cooperation.
As the chief aim of the Organization was the maintenance of peace and
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security, it was of utmost importance, he said, that next year the international community conclude negotiations of the protocol on verification of biological weapons. Also, Spain was optimistic on the start of negotiations on the treaty to ban the production of fissionable material for nuclear weapons manufacturing. On other security issues, he added that his Government intended to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Secretariat concerning standby forces. He said that the United Nations must continue giving its full support to the peace processes on the African continent. To that end, the parties involved in the Western Saharan conflict must give proof of their goodwill so that the referendum on self-determination envisaged in the Secretary-General's Settlement Plan could be held. In Kosovo, the international community must not remain impassive in the face of indiscriminate use of force. A negotiation process should be established, therefore, as soon as possible to enable Kosovo to regain political autonomy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was also urgent, he added, to find a solution to achieve a long-lasting reconciliation of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic cultures in the Middle East.
JAN KAVAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, said a country's international reputation was largely dependent on its domestic health. In his country, this year's parliamentary elections resulted in a change of Government. He wished to stress that the top foreign-policy priorities of the Czech Republic were to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union. Those priorities stemmed from its desire to actively contribute to the implementation of the vision of a united, democratic, peaceful, socially just and prospering Europe without tensions or conflicts, where there were free citizens and cooperating regions based on mutual solidarity, human rights and cooperative security.
He said preparing for the next round of enlargement of the Union was a task for all Europeans. Last year in Luxembourg, by opening up membership to Central and Eastern European countries, the Union had finally overcome the heritage of a divided continent. Europe had been a contributor to global security, but still had to put its own house in order. He cited the consequences of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the aggravating humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo as examples. Regarding the latter, he said his country was in favour of a Security Council resolution adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter which would remind parties that they must halt violence, order a ceasefire and start a meaningful dialogue on satisfactory solutions to the conflict.
He said that countering the scourge of international terrorism was high on the agenda of many. He believed the United Nations, as the global platform, should assert its responsibilities and said that "we endorse all initiatives aimed at cutting terrorists off from any support and resources, isolating and strictly punishing them". The Czech Republic supported United Nations peacekeeping operations and all efforts to make them more effective. He reiterated that his country was committed to contributing further to the
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Organization's peacekeeping initiatives and was refining its own forces to meet new requirements. The Czech Republic supported nuclear disarmament and looked forward to the complete elimination of nuclear arsenals. That was why
it regarded the nuclear tests carried out in May of this year by countries considered non-nuclear States as a negative step.
He said his country supported the work in the area of chemical disarmament as well as efforts to speed up the negotiation of the verification protocol text which would strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention. Turning to the Security Council, he said his country supported enlargement of that body in both categories of membership. It also supported equitable geographic representation and backed the aspirations of Germany and Japan for permanent seats. It was, however, disappointing, that after five years of dealing with the issue the Working Group had not achieved concrete results.
Continuing, he said it seemed that Member States were even further apart on the issue. Unfortunately, the same applied to the question of improving and simplifying the Council's methods of work, which seemed to be near to consensus a year ago. The Czech Republic felt that the Working Group should continue its work with the aim of achieving a general agreement by the end of the millennium if possible. It was hoped that talks would eventually produce concrete results that could be put on the agenda of the fifty-fifth General Assembly within the "Millennium Assembly" context.
Referring to the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said the record of those 50 years was impressive. There was, however, a long way to go to achieve the desired universal acceptance and indivisibility of human rights. That sad situation could be illustrated by the fact that there were still countries, Cuba for example, where people were punished for such absurd "crimes" as distributing the Declaration or for refusing to explain where they obtained such a subversive document. It had to be admitted, however, that economic sanctions or embargoes did not seem to be an effective means of persuading a country to promote human rights.
LENE HJELM-WALLÉN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, began by saying that Security Council resolution 1199 (1998), on Kosovo, adopted this afternoon, was "a firm response to a stark reality". She then said that the current session of the General Assembly was meeting against a sombre background of problems. Early warning signals were received, but rarely acted upon. Globalism concerned some, but was the best opportunity for peace, democracy and development. The United Nations must reform to remain relevant, but not under threat of political and financial crisis. All debtors must pay their assessed contributions without conditions. Sweden supported the Secretary-General's efforts to streamline the Organization.
She addressed five key areas which required common action: eradication of poverty, promotion of human rights, strengthening democracy, disarmament
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and the prevention of armed conflict. Poverty was about material resources, knowledge, justice and equal rights and opportunities, she said. Only four nations, including Sweden, met the United Nations aid target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income, and the "Group of Seven" industrialized countries average was only 0.19 per cent. The international financial system was insufficiently adapted to political and social realities, and the Initiative for Highly-Indebted Poor Countries needed to be strengthened.
Respect for human rights contributed to peace and stability, she said. Primitive expressions of public vengeance had no place in a civilized legal system. A majority of Member States had abolished or embargoed the death penalty, often as a result of political leadership and with the support of international standards. Economic, social and cultural rights created the basis for sustainable democratic society. The next International Labour Conference should agree on a convention on child labour. Also, urgent national and international action on child prostitution should be taken, and international standards on children as combatants in conflicts should be established. All States were urged to become a party to the Statute for the International Criminal Court. Democracy provided the grounds for reconciliation rather than conflict, and the United Nations should become a leader in promoting it.
She said the nuclear ambitions of India and Pakistan, exposed by tests in May 1998, endangered peace, security and stability in the region, and threatened international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. The possession of nuclear weapons by any State could not be indefinitely accepted as legitimate. Sweden would co-sponsor a resolution at this session of the Assembly calling for a new, forceful impetus for nuclear disarmament. It also supported increased efforts to rid the world of other weapons of mass destruction, and initiatives aimed at small arms reduction.
Cooperation to prevent armed conflict must also be strengthened, she said. Normally stable peace did not suddenly turn into military conflict. Conflict followed a period of deterioration. Preventive measures held the best prospect for success, but action often came too late. Conflict prevention was both a national and an international responsibility. The United Nations must find a way to engage regional actors in conflict dispute, and, where regional leadership was missing, be ready to lead.
DAVID ANDREWS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, said that more than 1 billion people struggled to survive on less than a dollar a day. All nations must share a determination to break down the walls of exclusion and marginalization that divided the world. A new partnership was needed to address international aid flows and the crippling problem of debt. Last week, his Government had agreed to a package of debt alleviation for developing countries, amounting to some $46 million. For Ireland, support for development cooperation meant, by definition, support for the United Nations. "The United Nations has only the resources which the Member States give it",
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he said.
There had been no clear commitment on the part of nuclear-weapon States to proceed rapidly toward nuclear disarmament, he said. Ireland had joined with seven like-minded States to launch the initiative on the declaration: "Towards a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World: A New Agenda". A draft resolution on the matter would be presented to the General Assembly and he urged Member States to adopt it. He also announced Ireland's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council from 2001 to 2002.
In Northern Ireland, there had been a breakthrough of great importance in the form of the Good Friday agreement, he said. The agreement marked a historic new beginning in relations within Northern Ireland, between the North and South of the island and between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The agreement was a complex document, containing a careful set of checks and balances, with a parity of pain and gain, he said.
Participants from the full spectrum of the political landscape had participated in the negotiations which had addressed a complex range of problems. Many perspectives, each with deep roots in history, had been considered. Thus, the agreement itself had to be complex, broadly based and balanced. The agreement was a blueprint for the future, but it could only be successful if it were translated from word to deed.
The experience of Ireland echoed the experience of so many other States, he said. "We realized our desire for independence in the wake of the 'Great War'. Our birth as a State was darkened by civil war. We in the South of the island overcame our divisions, channelled our differences into peaceful politics and we have prospered. In the North, divisions and fears were not challenged. They festered and brought us almost three decades of violence. The peace process allowed us to challenge and resolve the fears and divisions", he said. The agreement was a great historic rapprochement. It would be a source of immense additional satisfaction if the agreement were helpful in resolving conflicts elsewhere.
EDUARDO LATORRE, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, said changes in the world situation had made it necessary for the United Nations to revise its policies and increase its activities with regard to international peace and security, defence of human rights and protection of the environment. Also, the United Nations must support cooperation for economic, social and cultural development. It must, however, remain devoted to resolving the problems of social marginalization, and ethnic and religious tensions. His country supported the United Nations reform programme, which he hoped would make the Organization more effective, democratic, transparent and representative.
The Dominican Republic believed in the enlargement of the Security Council, he said. The Council must create new seats for the regions of Latin America,
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Asia and Africa, to make it more representative and to strengthen its functions. Democracy, respect for human rights, justice and respect for the rule of law were the principles which would lay a foundation for peace. The acceptance of those principles could not be imposed, but they could be actively promoted. With regard to the Republic of China on Taiwan, he said the Dominican Republic once again reiterated its position that the international community had to consider the importance of Taiwan in the context of peace, security and prosperity in that region. There was a need for constructive dialogue between both parties, with a view to achieving greater understanding and mutual cooperation.
The Dominican Republic was committed to nuclear disarmament, he said. Recent tests had endangered world peace. All nuclear-weapon States must responsibly use and handle such weapons. The preservation of world peace demanded the establishment of nuclear-free zones.
The Dominican Republic was strengthening its ties with its neighbouring countries, he said. The President of the Dominican Republic had recently visited Haiti, with a view to expanding dialogue and coordinating the handling of common problems. He appealed to the international community to provide assistance to Haiti.
Rights of Reply
GIDEON KAYINAMURA (Rwanda), speaking in exercise of the right of reply to the statement made this morning by the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said his delegation was not expecting an attack that was filled with so many false allegations and stories. He wanted to refute Rwanda's military involvement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and give the real facts. The alleged external aggression was being used to cover up politics of exclusion, mismanagement and corrupt factions that had overshadowed the Congo since the 1960s. The regime of the former President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko, was a nightmare and had established the foundation of corruption and left a legacy of instability for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries. With President Mobutu's departure, changes had been anticipated. Under President Laurent Kabila, however, there was no honeymoon for the Congolese people. In less than 12 months, the Congolese political alliance was destroyed and its power usurped. President Kabila had then turned the country into a personal fiefdom where corruption and nepotism became dominant.
Following the statement to the General Assembly by the Secretary- General, the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and others had called for a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the situation. He said he would have thought that the Congolese Foreign Minister would have heeded such calls instead of playing games in front of the Assembly.
MATIA MULUMBA SEMAKULA KIWANUKA (Uganda), also speaking in exercise of the
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right of reply, said the statement made this morning by the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a vicious and unwarranted attack against Uganda. On behalf of his Government, he wanted to refute in the strongest possible terms the baseless and unfounded allegations and present the facts. Over the last 12 months, there had been repeated incursions into Uganda by groups allied with the Congolese Government. Those incursions had resulted in the merciless massacres and abductions of Ugandan men, women and children; and widespread burning of boys' dormitories, industrial plants and markets. No country or government could fold its arms in the face of such atrocities. As a result, the Ugandan Government had to respond. It sent its army to put an end to the cross-border banditry. The Government of Uganda had no wish to spend one day longer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo provided that country could put an end to the incursions and atrocities inflicted on the Ugandan people. He wished to reaffirm that Uganda respected the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
ABULFAL ABOLHASSANI (Iran), in exercising the right of reply to a statement made earlier by the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, said the Foreign Minister had made some unacceptable claims against his country. Iran had friendly relations with its neighbours in the Persian Gulf and stood ready to enter into negotiations to end all misunderstandings. In line with the principles of Islamic policy, he said that a dialogue among Islamic countries should begin and he hoped to be able to foster one.
STEWART ELDON (United Kingdom), speaking in exercise of the right of reply to remarks made by the Foreign Minister of Spain on Gibralter earlier this afternoon, said the United Kingdom sovereignty over that Territory was clearly established in the Treaty of Utrecht. That legal fact was incontrovertible. Moreover, the British Government stood by the commitment to the people of Gibraltar as contained in the preamble to the 1969 Constitution of Gibraltar, which stated that the United Kingdom would not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed will.
Spain's offer to reintegrate Gibraltar into Spain, to which the Spanish Foreign Minister had referred in his speech today, could only prosper with the freely and democratically expressed support of the people of Gibraltar, he said. The British Government believed that issues relating to Gibraltar could only be resolved by direct talks, such as those established under the 1984 Brussels Declaration. In that regard, the United Kingdom attached great importance to continuing the dialogue with Spain as a means to overcome their differences.
MONGA MULENDA MAKONGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo) said many speakers has condemned the disintegration and destabilization of a sovereign State. Those speakers had called for a peaceful resolution of the problem, as soon as possible. The right of reply of Rwanda incited him to anxiety more than optimism. If Rwanda did not recognize its involvement in the conflict,
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he asked how it explained the capture in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo of thousands of Congolese soldiers in its army. Congolese peace and security could only return with the withdrawal of Rwandan and
Ugandan troops, and respect for its sovereignty. Unity and ethnic inclusion without exclusion was also needed.
MOHAMMAD SAMHAN (United Arab Emirates), in exercising its right of reply in response to the representative of Iran, said Iran's statement had not respected the legal status of the disputed islands. The islands were being illegally occupied by Iran. His country, on many occasions, had presented initiatives in attempt to reach a bilateral solution or to submit the issue to the International Court of Justice. He hoped that the new Government of Iran would respond positively to efforts to reach a solution to the dispute and to restore the sovereignty of the islands to the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates sought friendly relations with its neighbour.
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