SUMMARY OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEO-BEN GURIRAB (NAMIBIA) AT HEADQUARTERS, 16 SEPTEMBER

Press Release
GA/SM/95

SUMMARY OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEO-BEN GURIRAB (NAMIBIA) AT HEADQUARTERS, 16 SEPTEMBER

- 1 -Press Release GA/SM/95 21 September 1999

The plight of children in armed conflict, external debt problems of developing countries and United Nations reform, particularly review of the veto in the Security Council, were issues of particular personal resonance, the new President of the General Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab (Namibia), told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference on 16 September.

Mr. Gurirab, who is Namibia's Foreign Minister, was introduced by Under- Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Kensaku Hogen.

Citing particular concern over child soldiers, he pledged to do whatever he could in the worldwide campaign against "this scourge". He noted that he had presided over the Security Council debate which had led to the adoption, on 25 August, of an historic resolution on the plight of children.

Asked what issues he anticipated would dominate the fifty-fourth session of the Assembly and what he hoped to achieve, Mr. Gurirab said that the work of the Assembly was determined by the 188 Member States, inasmuch as they adopt the agenda. Prominent on the agenda was United Nations reform, conflicts over the world and development. He added that without peace and stability among nations, there could be no sustainable development. Citing the importance of United Nations reform, he said, "The United Nations belongs to all of us, rich, poor, big, small, and, as such, the time has come for us to look at the ways in which we do business at the United Nations." Reform was an issue that he inherited and one in which he hoped he would be able to make a contribution. Although, he added, he did not believe that "the last chapter and verse would be written" by the time his term was over.

In the context of East Timor and the response time of the United Nations, a correspondent asked for an opinion on how that crisis had affected the reputation of the United Nations. Mr. Gurirab replied, "We often knock the United Nations for what we should be shaming and blaming the totality of its Member States. The United Nations is not a world government." The moment that there was an opportunity, the Security Council and the Secretary-General decided that a team should go to East Timor. It had not been easy, and many phone calls had been made to bring about Indonesia's agreement.

Asked if there were plans to discuss the issue of the Korean peninsula in a United Nations forum before the end of the century, with the aim of bringing closure, Mr. Gurirab said the issue was already being discussed in many forums. He expressed the hope that common sense and goodwill would drive the two countries into finally reaching peace on the peninsula.

Mr. Gurirab told another correspondent, who asked if the United Nations could take any action regarding terrorist bombings in Russia, that international terrorism was a common enemy. In recent decades, the world had witnessed its devastating and indiscriminate power. Citing the bombings in Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania last year, he said the African leaders at their last summit had adopted a protocol which called for continuing efforts by member States, non-governmental organizations and businesses to combine efforts and share intelligence to track down terrorists and "throw the heavy weight of the law upon them". Terrorism was an issue that was very much alive on the agenda of the United Nations, and, perhaps, a country might call for a special look at the matter during his presidency. If so, he would be glad to provide the opportunity.

Asked to elaborate on the issue of the return of African art, Mr. Gurirab said he had highlighted the subject many times over the years. Not only Africans, but many friends of Africa and dedicated cultural workers, as well were demanding the return of the art. The subject was raised by Mobutu Sésé Seko as early as 1974, during the General Assembly session in which the credentials of South Africa were refused. Mr. Seko had made a vary eloquent speech, stressing the injustice. "I believe that now is the time, as we are searching our souls and as we are reflecting about our common humanity in the context of the millennium, that these priceless African treasures, artworks and icons be returned to the rightful owners." At the moment, that art adorned museums and art galleries and private homes in the United States, Canada and Europe, among other places. He expressed his intention, with the help of others, to keep the campaign alive and active. The cultural artifacts' importance was not simply one of aesthetics, but rather they formed an integral part of defining the identity and personality of the African family. "We continue to cry for them to come back home and to complete that cultural and spiritual space (that they occupy) in our hearts and in our minds", he added.

Responding to a correspondent, who questioned the importance of the "show" of the two-week general debate in the Assembly, Mr. Gurirab said there was a need and a place for the annual pilgrimage to New York by world leaders. The speeches were important because they expressed the hopes and concerns of people. Some of the speeches offered solutions. The period of the general debate also afforded world leaders the opportunity to have bilateral and inter-group discussions. Even though some of the world's problems might not be resolved in those meetings, at least they were being discussed face to face and in a serious light. Saying it was better to talk than fight, he said that if the annual gathering at the United Nations afforded such an opportunity, it was a good idea.

In the context of the upcoming special two-day session on small island developing States, a correspondent questioned the fairness of the request for preferential treatment by those States. Mr. Gurirab replied that the United Nations had recognized the peculiar situation of small countries, particularly the problems confronting small island States. While there was general recognition of the benefits of free trade, globalization sometimes forced States to be equal in certain respects, when in reality they were not.

Asked if there would be greater focus now on African issues, given that Africans held the posts of President of the Assembly and that of Secretary- General, Mr. Gurirab said that perhaps a certain sensitivity would be brought to decision-making. Some of the problems in Africa could be described as human disasters. Even so, by the same definition that the United Nations responds to Kosovo and East Timor, that was driven by humanitarian concerns -- which was right --so, too, should it respond in equal measure to the problems of Africa. "We are members of the same extended family. We should instil hope for a fairer chance", he said.

After describing Mr. Gurirab as a "graduate" of the United Nations, a correspondent asked how he now viewed the Organization. Mr. Gurirab replied that he agreed that if there were no United Nations, it would have to be created. He had spent many years spelling out the problems that beset the Organization. He saw how change came in small ways and how there was only so much the United Nations could do.

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