GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS GERMANY "TRUSTED FRIEND" OF AFRICA AT ANNUAL DINNER HOSTED BY GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Press Release
GA/SM/100

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS GERMANY ‘TRUSTED FRIEND’ OF AFRICA AT ANNUAL DINNER HOSTED BY GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Following is the statement of the President of the General Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab (Namibia) at a dinner held in his honour hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joschka Fischer, in New York on 23 September:

This dinner continues a fine tradition of friendship held every year in New York, in conjunction with the General Assembly Session. It brings together African Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation and the Foreign Minister of Germany. It is a tradition which was started by Hans-Dietrich Genscher, and preserved by Klaus Kinkel, your two worthy predecessors. It is a good tradition, which affords an opportunity to the two sides to update each other on current world issues, as well as exchange views on the items on the agenda of the General Assembly. It is a German invention which is constantly being enriched by Africa, in true partnership.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to you, Mr. Minister, for hosting this year’s dinner, in my honour, and inviting both old and new colleagues and friends. Longevity in politics has its own pleasures. Of course, sometimes it has its own agonies. For me, I can think of pleasures only, in this case. I am one of the privileged originals who attended virtually all the previous dinners, from the 1970s, as representative of the South West African Peoples Organization (SWAPO) to the United Nations.

Mr. Minister, you are no stranger to most of us here. You did many good things which we admire. You and your committed collaborators, of the Green Party, took up, many years ago, the worthy causes of decolonization, human rights, gender equality, sustainable development and environmental protection ahead of most in Germany and Europe. And in your present position, you are providing new ideas and solutions.

I am wearing at least three hats on this occasion: Foreign Minister of Namibia; President of the General Assembly; and Dean of the African Foreign Ministers.

The current Session of the General Assembly takes place at a crucial moment for humanity, nations, peoples and the United Nations itself.

- 2 - Press Release GA/SM/100 24 September 1999

I cannot underestimate what this means, especially for Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) -- European Union partnership.

Germany is a trusted and longstanding friend of Africa. Germany boasts of a strong economy of great influence in Europe and in the world, generally. Mr. Minister, your country’s leadership in world affairs is widely respected and inspires confidence. We have every good reason to expect that Germany will bring understanding and advocacy, on Africa’s behalf, in deliberations of the group of seven industrialized countries (G7).

As an example, if I may, it was your predecessor, Klaus Kinkel, who, in 1994, took the initiative at a joint Berlin Ministerial Conference in launching a European Union - Southern African Development Community (SADC) dialogue on political, economic, defense and security matters of common interest between the two sides. We have held two ministerial meetings so far -- in 1996 in Windhoek, Namibia, and in 1998 in Vienna, Austria. Germany maintains similar or other forms of interaction with Africa’s other subregions.

I may also add that it was Klaus Kinkel who put Germany, and indeed Europe, behind the worldwide campaign to outlaw anti-personnel landmines. The Ottawa Treaty of 1997 benefited from our sustained collaboration on this burning issue of deep concern to the world. Another important crusade which joins us together is the growing menace of small arms.

Of course, I have not forgotten the generous development and technical assistance and commercial ties linking Germany to most African countries. The Lome Convention -– which is built upon unique ties of friendship and cooperation between Africa and Europe -- is coming to an end in February next year. In this regard, while the negotiations for a new framework of cooperation between the ACP States and the European Union are advancing well, there are still certain matters relating to trade that impede progress. The Federal Republic of Germany is a leading player in these negotiations and should work with us towards helping to resolve the existing sticking points.

Germany’s understanding and support for ACP States’ concerns will further strengthen the foundation for a renewed partnership between the European Union and Africa. These concerns include the need for a minimum ten-year grace period (2000- 2010) to allow for the ACP States’ successful integration into the world economy; the imperative for maintaining the European Development Funds at current levels; as well as the desire for further enriching European Union/ACP political dialogue. As the trade chapter of the post-Lome Convention framework of ACP/European Union cooperation is being finalized, I am confident that the ACP States can continue to count on Germany’s support on these and other issues.

- 3 - Press Release GA/SM/100 24 September 1999

Africa, and no less, the United Nations, welcome Germany’s stepped up involvement in and contribution to international peacekeeping operations, including the related capacity-building here at the United Nations. Germany’s economic and technological power puts it in good stead to fulfil this vital role globally. I believe that Germany’s world leadership and its assistance to worthy causes are widely lauded, particularly in Africa. Another area of concern where Germany provides support, is conflict resolution and management in Africa, in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its subregional bodies.

The maintenance of international peace and security requires direct involvement of big and small nations alike, in a context that is inclusive, democratic and transparent. This means that the United Nations reform and the enlargement of the Security Council must take into account the principle of equitable geographical representation and the sovereign equality of States. The current imbalance in the Security Council must be corrected in a manner that enhances its authority, effectiveness and credibility. The General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council also demand further strengthening to do their work with greater resourcefulness.

The current international financial system is defective and unjust. Repeated calls have been made for the reform of the Bretton Woods institutions and others. While the need for reform is agreed upon, no consensus exists on the content and direction of such reform.

I welcome the proposal of the G7 nations -- of which Germany is a key member -- to establish a new international body -- Group X (GX) -- to discuss ways and means of averting future global financial crises and mitigating devastation that negatively affect stability of currencies, economic growth and development. It must be good faith and thoroughgoing exercise. All nations, rich and poor, should work together to ensure that new arrangements, like GX, do not only benefit the G7 nations and the so-called “systematically important” developing economies, but all of us.

In addition, the debt burden facing many developing countries, specifically in Africa, should be written off. This will go a long way towards paving the way for a robust and sustained development of their economies. The trend towards declining official development assistance (ODA) should also be arrested. ODA should be regarded as an enlightened business proposition that will yield mutual benefits for everybody in the long run. All care should thus be taken to ensuring that such assistance is in itself non-debt-generating.

We listened with keen interest to your important statement in the General Assembly yesterday. We intend working closely with you and other friends, here at the United Nations and elsewhere, on the pertinent issues you raised in your statement, both those that already

- 4 - Press Release GA/SM/100 24 September 1999

enjoy a consensus and those that require further and concentrated discussions in the international forums, starting at the United Nations.

In this context, I think particularly of a notion repeated by speakers in the General debate. A notion of putting sovereign States and individual citizens or persons in a country on the same footing, under the pretext of protection of human rights. This is uncalled for and divisive. I see here not a constructive, but a precipitous interpretation of the United Nation Charter which can lead to confrontation. Since Kosovo, a new phrase has been coined, “humanitarian intervention”, to give legitimacy to foreign interference aimed at undermining sovereignty of States and the authority of their governments. Other speakers said quite a lot to the contrary on this and we have not heard the last word on the issue.

I trust that on this and other matters before the General Assembly, we will continue to exchange views and narrow our differences in the interest of strengthening the United Nations, as we usher in the new millennium.

* *** *