Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

55^th Meeting (PM)

MALNUTRITION, HIV/AIDS, TRADE ACCESS, DIGITAL DIVIDE AMONG ISSUES RAISED

AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES SIXTH DAY OF GENERAL DEBATE

Malnutrition, starvation, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, trade access, and the digital divide were among the issues identified as grave threats to global security and development this afternoon in the General Assembly, as it continued its general debate.

The representative of Santa Lucia told the Assembly that the international community should react just as rapidly and with as much force to malnutrition, starvation and disease as it had to terrorism.  Although heartened that peace-loving nations had come together to rid the earth of terrorism, he noted that defeating that threat would not in itself create a better world.  “There are billions in the world who are not at war, but do not know peace, since they suffer from other terrors,” he said.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister added that, despite the gravity of terrorism, it should not deter the international community from pursuing developmental aims.  Neither should it deflect attention from other equally negative acts, such as illicit trading in drugs and small arms.  While security had become a priority, the international community still needed to guarantee commodity prices, which most developing countries depended upon for growth.  Also, middle-income countries needed debt relief, so they could finance health and education.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mozambique noted that inequalities in the global economy were aggravating poverty, fuelling conflicts and threatening international security.  “In Africa, 340 million people, half of the population of the continent, live on less than $1 a day, the mortality rate of children under five years of age is 140 per 1,000, and life expectancy at birth is only 54 years,” he said. 

A gaping digital chasm remained between industrialized and developing countries, especially in Africa, said the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lesotho. To close that abyss, information and communication technologies had to become a vital part of national and regional development.  Also, many of the evils that had plagued Africa had been major obstacles to development.  For recovery, it needed resources, which must come through development cooperation and improved trade access.  It also needed a healthy population.  Africa hosted 70 per cent of people infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Also making statements this afternoon were:  the Prime Minister of Bulgaria; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Barbados; the Foreign Ministers of Grenada, Panama, Central African Republic, and Ethiopia; the

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea; and the representatives of Papua New Guinea, Denmark and Thailand.

The representatives of Eritrea, Armenia and Indonesia made statements in exercise of the right of reply.

Opening this afternoon’s session, Han Seung-Soo, President of the General Assembly, extended his deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Algeria for the tragic loss of lives and extensive material damage caused by the recent floods.

The Assembly will meet again at 9 a.m., Friday, 16 November, to continue its general debate.

Background

The General Assembly met this afternoon to continue its general debate.

Statements

SIMEON SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA, Prime Minister of Bulgaria:  One year after the Millennium Summit we reaffirm that the United Nations enjoys even greater prestige as a tool to meet the challenges of our time.  International terrorism has become threatening, not only to States but, also to the freedom of the world.  Bulgaria supports without reservations Security Council resolution 1373 (2001).  The struggle against international terrorism however would only be partial if there were no moral or spiritual commitment.

It is with a sense of pride that Bulgaria is shouldering its responsibilities as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.  The election to that organ is seen as recognition of the international prestige my country enjoys.  The priorities of Bulgaria’s foreign policy are accession to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and strengthening cooperation with countries in our region.  We are attached to the French speaking world, which entails not only a language, but also a state of mind.  My country is open to a dialogue of all Member States and receptive to all ideas to improve the role played by the United Nations.

Bulgaria is an important agent for peace in South-East Europe.  The forthcoming general elections will play a decisive part in Kosovo in democratization.  My country attaches great importance to stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including the protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to comprehensive implementation of the Dayton Agreement.  The democratization of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is a positive development.  I highlight Bulgaria’s position on a lasting and peaceful settlement of other regional conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.

Having been an exile for more than 50 years, I am aware of the drama of refugees, the number and suffering of which continues to grow, as is the case in Afghanistan.  We attach great importance to such agenda items as fighting global crime, illegal trafficking in drugs and corruption.  Our Government is making great efforts to this end and monitoring the trade in weapons is highly relevant, in that regard.  Bulgaria participates actively in economic and social cooperation, human rights, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and protection of the environment.

Bulgaria intends to have a clear foreign policy, logical and predictable, with an accent on regional security and development, through active participation within a multilateral dialogue.  This is where we have to find solutions for conflicts -- here in the United Nations, not on the battlefield.

JOSE MIGUEL ALEMAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama:  In addition to the common efforts that we are bound to make against terrorism, we respectfully request that we attempt to resolve the differences of opinion that arose here during last July’s conference on the problem of massive and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.  Panama reiterates the position it put forward during the conference, that no State should claim the right to promote this deadly traffic by citing its national interest.  Panama is particularly concerned at the social, political and economic implications of the illicit traffic, and hereby declares its intention to sponsor American convention on the issue, in order to structure a legal framework that will allow countries of the hemisphere to suppress the traffic and thereby strengthen regional security.

Panama defends human rights without reservation, and will never accept acts that violate those rights, no matter where they occur and no matter what circumstances may be adduced in an attempt to justify them.  To this very clear position we would also add, as an inherent part of human rights, our sincere commitment to the universal campaign to protect the rights of the child and to combat HIV/AIDS.  If the campaign on HIV/AIDS is to be successful, all must accept the economic and social responsibility with respect to that terrible affliction.  Also, we must also promote sound community planning at the local and provincial level in order to prevent this and other sexually transmitted diseases.

We believe that the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development offers us a magnificent opportunity to reduce the gap that persists between the rich countries of the North and the poor countries of the South.  During the Preparatory Committee meetings for the Conference, divergent ideas have been put forward and they must be reconciled.  Because of those differences, it is predicted that it will be impossible to develop a concrete plan of action.  I think, on the contrary, that with creativity and a sense of responsibility, the issue of financing for development can take on parameters more in keeping with the realities of today’s world.

The determination of Central America to achieve development has been reinforced with the launching of the Puebla-Panama Plan.  We have created, thereby, a regional mechanism for continuous and ongoing consultation, in order to put in place a comprehensive long-term strategy.  The Plan, which had its origin in south-east Mexico -- and which will involve indigenous communities, villages, non-governmental organizations, private business and governments -- seeks to enlist civil society in the process of raising the level of human and social development for our people.

MOTSOAHAE THOMAS THABANE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lesotho:  There remains a gaping digital chasm between the industrialized and the developing countries, especially in Africa where the majority of people are yet to reap the benefits of information and communication technology.  To close this digital abyss, information and communication technologies (ICT) have to be made an integral component of the developing countries’ national and regional development agenda.  Because of this, the necessary economic, institutional, social, legal and fiscal environment to boost ICT must be established.  In this regard, much still needs to be done to jump-start the introduction of ICT in primary schools, in order to enable developing countries to respond to the changing needs of society and the economy.

Africa is not only determined too overcome its problems, but it is determined to ensure that the future development of the continent is shaped and designed by Africans themselves.  Many of the evils that have plagued Africa have been major obstacles to development and the establishment of viable societies.  All these have made us realize that the only way to achieve sustainable development is to ensure that people live in safe and stable conditions, under the rule of law.  Transforming the Organization of African Unity into the African Union should be seen as a milestone.  For recovery, Africa needs resources, which must come through development cooperation and improved trade access.

Housing remains a critical pillar of sustainable economic development.  It is the single most important and obvious indicator of individual aspirations and their fulfillment.  In the same vein, a healthy population is an absolute requirement for social and economic development.  We, thus, recognize the immense challenges posed by HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.  For Africa, which is host to 70 per cent of the people infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide, this scourge is reversing hard won gains in economic and social development.  Political commitment and leadership are, thus, essential for building national capacities to develop and implement comprehensive national strategies for HIV/AIDS.

While peace has been maintained in many regions of the world, but Africa has experienced setbacks in that regard, as violent conflict continues unabated.  The sad legacy of our colonial past, wherein state-sponsored activities facilitated the systematic plunder of Africa’s resources, has been replaced by foreign companies and individuals in pursuit of the so called “bottom line”.  The link between conflict, the easy availability of arms, the abundance of natural resources and their plunder by outside forces has become even more apparent.  The same collective conscience of the international community that succeeded in eradicating slavery must speak with equal vehemence against this evil.

AGBA OTIKPO MEZODE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic:  The Millennium Summit must be viewed as a strategy to deal with the many challenges of the twenty-first century.  Some of the most pressing challenges are extreme poverty, conflicts, intolerance, terrorism, foreign debt, marginalization, endemic diseases and HIV/AIDS.  The burden of these challenges cannot be lifted without multilateral cooperation.  The role of the United Nations cannot be underestimated in the work ahead.

The Central African Republic has endorsed the Millennium Declaration and urges countries in the North to work with Africa in a real partnership, both through the public and private sectors, in order to support the development of the African continent.  This support requires a level of political will.  In the face of the many conflicts between, and sometimes within, African countries, many partners tended to give up and become indifferent when progress was rare or slow.  The lack of a culture of democracy and the extreme poverty endured by so many African countries cause these conflicts.  It is vital that international partners support these young and fragile African democracies, which need both political and financial assistance in their consolidation.  

In the case of the Central African Republic, on 28 May, a coup had been attempted with the goal of ending the democratic reign in the country.  This was the fourth attempt since 1996.  As it turned out, the people responsible for the last coup attempt were the same group of men that had, for five years, subjected my country to repetitive terrorist acts.  Facing both national and international condemnation, this group is now hiding behind claims of genocide, in an attempt to justify the unjustifiable.  The recurrence of violence highlights the importance of a strong judicial system in young and fragile States.  A solid legal system is needed to prevent these kinds of acts from going unpunished.  All coups, whether they are successful or not, threaten human rights, the rights of the people and society.

The march for democracy in the Central African Republic is slow and difficult, due to extreme poverty and the fragility of the state system.  The coup attempt of 28 May has only made the situation more fragile.  In this context, I want to take the opportunity to express our gratitude to the Security Council for always having shown interest in the developments within the Central African Republic.  We appeal to the United Nations to support the Central African Republic in its development and urge international financial institutions to provide more financial aid.  Further financial support is needed, in order to prevent the country’s total collapse.

BILLIE A. MILLER, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados:  The horror of terrorism, that has scarred innocent lives for decades in the Middle East, in Northern Ireland, in Asia, Africa and Latin America, has now landed on these shores with a fury and intensity that few of us would have thought possible.  We share America’s bewilderment and disbelief, for our citizens too have experienced that sense of violation that comes with an unprecedented terrorist strike.  Twenty five years ago, a Cubana Airlines flight was downed just outside our territorial waters.  Although the masterminds of that attack were apprehended, they were never punished for that crime.  We must insist that there be zero tolerance for terrorism, whatever its source or ideology.

We must all accept that the quest against terrorism can never hope to succeed if it is viewed simply as a military campaign.  It must also seek to find effective and lasting solutions to the problems of underdevelopment, poverty and deprivation, inequality, intolerance and injustice, which marginalize so large a percentage of the world’s population.  New converts to the cause of terrorism spring from these conditions of hopelessness.  The importance of a revitalized development agenda cannot be understated.  We support reform of the international economic and financial architecture to meet the current development challenge.

Barbados is far advanced in the implementation of its national commitments under Agenda 21, the action programme of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.  For all small island developing States, follow up of the Barbados Programme of Action will form an integral part of the process of dealing with development challenges.  The Caribbean Basin countries will continue their attempt to create a special regime for the Caribbean Sea, with the ultimate goal of achieving its recognition as a special area in sustainable development.  We hope that the Doha decision to launch a new round of trade talks will lead to a meaningful resolution of fair, equitable and inclusive trading arrangements.  We welcome the agreement on drug patents, which is of great significance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerances presented a unique opportunity for countries to take a proactive approach in diffusing both historic and contemporary conflicts, and in coming to terms with injustices of the past.  We regret that in many respects the Conference did not get the serious high-level attention it deserved, and that the treatment of issues was less wide-ranging and definitive than we would have wished.  Much can be done to promote the culture of peace and understanding, especially among the youth.  Barbados attaches importance to the early convening of the United Nations Special Session on Children.

ELVIN NIMROD, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Grenada:  The global economic turbulence created by the recent terrorist acts has hit our tourism and aviation sectors hard.  Tourism, the hotel industry and aviation play a synergistic role so crucial to the economies of most small States, in terms of foreign exchange and employment.  The sub region had already begun to feel the effects of the international economic downturn, but it is clear that, since the attacks, Grenada and the other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States are suffering.  We are experiencing shortfalls in revenue collections and our tourism sector is experiencing a drastic reduction in visitor arrivals.  Indeed, the International Monetary Fund predicts arrivals in the Caribbean could fall short by as much as 50 per cent.

The events 11 September, with the ensuing economic and geopolitical instability, have propelled us to reorder our priorities.  We need to focus on restoring confidence in international economic and multilateral cooperation and underpinning that is the fight against poverty.  To feed the hungry is both a divine and social imperative.  Thus, we look forward to the outcome of the International Conference on Financing for Development and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio + 10).  These are both very important for small States.

For more than 40 years, embargo has existed against Cuba.  What this has done is to ostracise the Cuban people and cause them undue hardship.  I wish to register our support for the removal of the United States economic embargo on Cuba.  Trade is important for the development of any people and, with the establishment of the embargo, there is no freedom of trade between Cuba and the United States.  In the wake of the devastation of hurricane Michelle, it is even more critical that the embargo be removed, giving the Cuban people a chance to maintain a modern, dynamic society.

The time has come to reconsider the exclusion of the Republic of China on Taiwan from membership of the United Nations.  The Republic of China is a free and democratic country, and a peace-loving member of the international community.  In economic terms, it is the seventeenth largest economy in the world, the eighth largest investor and the fourth largest exporter of information technology.  It is preposterous to continue to keep such a country outside the world body.

LEONARDO SANTOS SIMAO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mozambique:  We are living in a world where few countries are reaping the benefits of globalization, and the majority are increasingly marginalized.  These increasing inequalities aggravate poverty, fuel conflicts and threaten international security, stability and democracy.  In Africa, 340 million people, half of its population, live on less than $1 a day, the mortality rate of children under five years of age is 140 per 1,000, and life expectancy at birth is only 54 years.  Only 58 per cent of the population have access to safe water and there are only 18 main telephone lines per 1,000 people in Africa, compared with 145 for the world as a whole and 567 for high-income economies.

Conflict is one of the main obstacles to development, particularly in Africa.  To find durable solutions to conflict we need to focus on prevention and address root causes.  Prevention should be aimed at addressing poverty, governance, human rights abuses, hunger, endemic diseases and underdevelopment.  We should also think about how we can implement sound strategies for conflict resolution and management.

Initiatives undertaken by regions and sub-regions aimed at conflict prevention management and resolution should be supported by the resources they need to build their capacity to act effectively.  The international community should continue to assist Africa in searching for peaceful resolution of conflicts, particularly in Sierra Leone and Somalia.  It should also assist in implementing the United Nations plan for Western Sahara, which was agreed to by all parties to the conflict.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in Doha, the forthcoming International Conference on Financing for Development and the World Summit on Sustainable Development provide unique opportunities to produce an integrated mechanism to eradicate poverty and implement development goals set out in the Millennium Declaration.  The Financing for Development should be instrumental in reshaping the world economic order towards more equity and fairness.  It must resolutely address the steady decline of ODA and foreign direct investment, untie development aid, reform the international financial architecture and provide a sustainable solution to the debt crisis.  The Sustainable Development Summit should allow us to assess the implementation of Agenda 21, as well as devise appropriate strategies to further pursue this daunting challenge.

SEYOUM MESFIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia:  In the long term, terrorism will be defeated when the ideological cover it is wearing is unveiled. This can only be achieved when those who are capable of perpetrating the heinous crimes are not only denied safe havens, but are also bereft of any alibi.  This is where, among other things, the fight against poverty becomes all the more critical.  That fight is not as elusive as the fight against terrorism.  We know the causes and how to fight it.  What we lack is the global political will to act.

African leaders have taken the conclusions of the Millennium Assembly further and have drawn a broad plan on how to bring peace, security and development to that continent:  the New Partnership for African Development.  We have duly acknowledged the responsibility for our own continent and fully accept that peace, security, democracy, good governance and sound macroeconomic management are essential for economic growth and sustainable development.  At the same time, Africa at present lacks the required resources and capacity to implement the initiative.  The new African initiative, therefore, calls for complementary obligation from the international community.

Regarding the situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, it is not prudent to conceal both our disappointment and growing concern about the implementation of the Algiers Agreement.  Ethiopia is committed to the peace process and to the scrupulous implementation of the Agreement.  We want the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) to succeed.  However, success cannot be achieved by the efforts of one party alone.  Eritrea is not complying with the Algiers Agreement, and has continued to refuse to maintain the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone as a demilitarized buffer area between the two forces.  This violation is taking place under UNMEE’s nose.

Experience has made it unmistakably clear that appeasement has never worked with Eritrea.  Lately we have witnessed an ever-increasing mobilization of troops by Eritrea along the common border.  Lack of vigilance on the part of UNMEE and its policy of appeasement appears to make another round of fighting close to inevitable.  We call on the United Nations, as a co-guarantor of the Algiers Peace Agreement, to shoulder its full responsibility.  The Security Council should send an unambiguous message to Eritrea to immediately desist from all actions which endanger the peace process.  UNMEE needs to wake up and take Ethiopia’s real concern seriously.  Ethiopia is determined to respond to real threats and reserves its right to self-defence.

MERVYN ASSAM, Minister for Enterprise Development and Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago:  Despite the gravity and topicality of terrorism, we cannot allow the specter of terrorism to deter us in our sense of purpose, as we pursue developmental objectives aimed at the betterment of our peoples.  Neither should we allow it to deflect attention from other activities that impact just as negatively on our societies, such as the illicit drug trade and the illegal trade in small arms.  For its part, my Government has enacted legislation authorizing the confiscation of the assets from drug trafficking.  Existing legislation will be strengthened and relevant measures put in place as part of my country’s contribution to the international effort in the fight against terrorism.   

At the national level, my Government recognizes the need to maintain a focus on promoting economic growth and creating a better quality of life for all its citizens as key elements in preserving democracy.  In this context, the Government has identified nine key objectives aimed at creating a healthier, better educated and highly skilled nation, capable of fully participating in the life of the wider global society.  But even as we pursue these objectives, we know that, as a small island developing State, we have special needs and vulnerabilities.  What is required therefore, is a supportive, regional and global environment.

Trinidad and Tobago is also of the view that trade remains one of the essential elements for our economic growth.  While safety and security concerns have become a priority, the onus is still on the international community to guarantee the strength and stability of commodity prices, on which the majority of developing countries depend to finance their growth and development.  Consideration must also be given to extending debt relief to middle income countries, as this will free resources otherwise allocated to debt servicing to assist in the financing of such critical sectors as health and education.  My country has given priority to the mobilization of domestic resources, within an overall macroeconomic policy that encourages the creation of a competitive business environment.

Success in domestic resource mobilization is, however, heavily dependent on the external environment and linked to success in accessing the markets of developed countries.  Many of the factors that attract foreign capital are outside the control of developing countries.  Trinidad and Tobago faces the particular problem of attracting foreign investment in the non-oil sector, which affects the overall development of the social infrastructure.  Foreign direct investment also tends to flow where profits are highest, not necessarily where sound policy for the creation of a hospitable local environment has been instituted.

JOSE ELA EBANG, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea: Peoples and their governments constantly face the need to adapt to new demands. This task should not rest on the shoulders of one people or one government in isolation.  It is our belief that the United Nations continues to be the best option for vital convergence, with all the benefits of its diversity.  The Organization must be endowed with the necessary means to organize international society.  In the light of recent positive experiences, we advocate greater, closer and more effective cooperation between the United Nations and regional groups.

Together with the need to enhance United Nations capacity, the time is also ripe for States and international organizations to take specific and positive steps to democratize international relations, promote and reaffirm respect for human rights, consolidate the disarmament regime and promote development.  We insist on the vital need to democratize the Security Council by establishing the greatest possible coordination between it and the General Assembly.

It is still disquieting to note that successes in the international sphere have failed to eliminate the areas of tension that seem to exist indefinitely. Military expenditure around the world has continued to grow, while development assistance has fallen.  This also applies with regard to cooperation to eradicate poverty.  We need to translate into reality the decision taken by the Millennium Summit to combat poverty and make globalization an inclusive, not exclusive, phenomenon.

There are many ills that the United Nations needs to combat.  For example: the HIV pandemic; traffic in weapons; the way in which children are often doomed due to poverty, lack of education and war; and discrimination against women.  The attention of the world has been diverted by unprecedented events, such as the recent terrorist attacks.  These were attacks on the United Nations, not just the United States.  We express our condemnation of terrorism in all forms and aspects. We also hope and trust that the General Assembly will pronounce itself in favour of the active use and expansion of cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Community of Central African States. 

PETER DONIGI (Papua New Guinea):  My country has experienced an unfortunate and terrible conflict and has been trying to build mutual confidence and security by pursuing a progressive political settlement, including restoration and development for the past four years in its Bougainville province.  We wish to express our deep appreciation to the United Nations and others for their continuing and constructive roles in Bougainville.  We also thank the Secretary-General and the Security Council for continuing to renew their mandate in Bougainville.  We are confident that the Security Council will continue to provide every assistance we need in respect to arms collection, storage and disposal.

Papua New Guinea places particular emphasis on the sustainable use and development of the resources of the ocean space and the deep seabed.  We welcome Malta’s lodgment of its Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.  The agreement calls on States to enhance the ability of developing States to conserve and develop their own fisheries for such stocks.  For all small island developing States in the Pacific, financing for development has to be linked to the development of the fisheries sector.

Papua New Guinea notes the death of the political leader of the people of the Indonesian Province of Irian Jaya, Theys Eluay, under questionable circumstances.  As a neighboring country, we are concerned with the likely spillover effects of new developments in that province and urge Indonesia to undertake a thorough and impartial investigation into his death and bring to justice those responsible.  My government supports efforts to ban trans-boundary movements of radioactive and other hazardous wastes through the Pacific region.  We call on those States that have conducted nuclear testing or discharged chemical and other non-degradable wastes in our subregion to adequately compensate, as well as give medical assistance to, the scores of people affected.

ELLEN MARGRETHE LOJ (Denmark):  The measures we are taking to combat terrorism form part of our overall effort to create a better world where human dignity is guaranteed and human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected.  Indeed, recent events underscore further the need to make the world a better place in particular for those vast groups of people who live in poverty.  For poor people who see no possibility of improving their economic and social standing, turning to extremist religious and ideological views and networks may be tempting.  We need to secure real political, economic and social opportunities for the world’s poor and disadvantaged.  The goals identified by the world leaders during the Millennium Summit give our work direction in the decades to come.

The last ten years have seen more countries commit themselves to a democratic and accountable political system than ever before.  This trend is encouraging.  Open societies committed to democracy are more likely to respect the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and to foster accountable governments than those who are not.  National responsibilities for development, as expressed through good governance and the promotion of human rights and democratization, are keys to peaceful settlement of conflicts and essential tools for economic development.  Building on these positive trends, we must go even further.  We must take concerted steps forward on the whole range of key issues, from security, to development.

Our prime target is clearly to eradicate poverty.  This objective should be at the heart of the international effort in the coming weeks and months.  We need a “global deal” -- a global deal which encompasses all human beings with the aim of achieving long-term sustainable development, based on global coherence between economic, social and environmental policies.  Both developed and developing countries need to set their priorities straight in order to strike this global deal.  In that sense, a global commitment to realizing the national potential for development by developing countries should be met in the spirit of partnership by the developed countries.  We reiterate the call on the industrialized countries to grant more generous development assistance and to increase their ODA so that, at a minimum, it reaches the established United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product.

PRACHA BUNA-KASEM, speaking for the Foreign Minister of Thailand:  After the events of 11 September, the shared destiny of the world will depend greatly on how we manage to cope with these emerging new realities and growing complexities.  No country is truly safe from terrorism and no one is capable of fighting it alone. Now is the time for each and every nation to contribute to and participate in the joint efforts in combating terrorism.  Thailand supports an international conference at the ministerial level on international terrorism under the auspices of the United Nations at the earliest possible opportunity.

Terrorism has also exacerbated the slowdown in the global economy, which carried with it significant social consequences, as well.  Airline, tourism and related industries worldwide have felt the impact of international tension. Countries already struggling to recover from the recent economic slowdown are preparing to safeguard their economies from sliding further into sluggishness. Confronted with the ever-widening gap between developed and developing countries, the United Nations must work to arrest and reverse this trend.

Efforts to bridge the gap must not be confined only within the United Nations framework.  The WTO meeting in Doha, Qatar, which was just concluded, was a timely opportunity in which nations proved that they could work together and achieved substantial progress in pushing forward the global trade agenda for the common good of the world.

As regards Afghanistan, the international community, in collaboration with the Afghans themselves, must move quickly to help restore order and stability.  We should render all possible assistance to Afghanistan, starting with humanitarian needs and moving to capacity-building in the near future.  Thailand will provide a fairly large amount of rice, about 3,000 metric tons, as food relief for the Afghans.  The Thai Red Cross has donated 10,000 blankets.

EARL HUNTLEY (Saint Lucia):  We are heartened by the universal resolve of all peace-loving nations to rid the earth of the scourge of terrorism.  We have noted how quickly and steadfastly some of these nations have come together in a coalition and have embarked on a war against terrorism.  We should however recognize that the defeat of terrorism will not by itself create a greater humanity or a better world.  There are billions in the world who are not at war, but do not know peace, since they suffer from other terrors.  There are millions, many of whom are children, who are succumbing daily to the horror of malnutrition and starvation, or withering away from diseases.  If we are to create a better world, we must adopt the same rapid global militaristic response in solving these problems as we have done in the new war on terrorism.

The plague of HIV/AIDS that continues to ravage the world also demands this new collective response.  If humanity is to win the fight against this twentieth century plague, the international community must make available new and additional financial resources towards the research and development of affordable drugs.  It is time corporations cease putting more and more profit ahead of the health and lives of the unfortunate, who have been afflicted by such diseases as AIDS.  Are we not being inhumane when our overriding objective is to make as huge a profit as possible on the sickness of so many, rather than ensuring the essential drugs they need to end their suffering are available?

Saint Lucia is also concerned about the actions of several organizations, such as the World Economic Council and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which seem to be attempting to usurp the traditional roles and functions of the United Nations and national governments.  In the face of the near demise of the vital banana industry, Saint Lucia and other Organization of Eastern Caribbean States islands sought to diversify their economies by building on their competitive advantage in offshore financial services.  But, would you believe that OECD countries denounced our efforts as being “harmful” to them, and branded Caribbean offshore financial services as havens for criminal activity? This is a violation of our territorial integrity, our sovereignty and our economic rights.

Right of Reply

Speaking in right of reply to the statement of Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs AMARE TEKLE (Eritrea):  With regard to the Temporary Security Zone, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General had said that it depended on the willingness of the parties to negotiate.  There were problems with the southern border of the Zone.  According to the Special Representative, three

companies were present in the area of Irob and he had been told that nothing would move the Ethiopians out of that area.  Since there was no use in trying to push the Ethiopians out, the Special Representative had told Eritrea it was a typical candidate for the Border Commission.

With respect to the increasing mobilization of Eritrea, the Special Representative had said that those allegations had been investigated, but that so far, he had found nothing to suggest that the Eritrean army was on alert.

On the other hand, Ethiopia has violated the Agreement, with regard to the speedy exchange of prisoners of war and landmines.

VAHRAM KAZHOYAN (Armenia):  The statement made by Azerbaijan yesterday was not accurate.  It was an attempt to defer the evidence of state sponsored terrorism by Azerbaijan by reversing the roles of perpetrator and victim.  It had been observed by many, including governments and non-governmental organizations, that it was the Azerbaijani authorities that had made the situation unbearable for the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.  It was well-documented that during that war Azerbaijan had been the first to use tanks, rockets and missiles against not only Karabakh self-defence forces, but the civilian population.  When we responded, using mostly the same weapons captured from the Azerbaijani army, they called us the aggressors.

Azerbaijan cannot lie to all the world, all the time.  Azerbaijan denies the people of Nagorno-Karabakh self determination, but claims that it stands for the speedy resolution of the conflict based on the norms and principles of the United Nations Charter and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Helsinki Final Act.  This is a double standard.  We need to stop blaming each other and find a solution based on truth, justice and respect for human rights.

In response to the statement of Papua New Guinea CONAKRY MARSONO (Indonesia):  The Government of Indonesia will ensure that the case is investigated, with the aim of bringing those responsible to justice under Indonesian law.  Indonesia will take care of this matter, and he urges other States not to interfere with this domestic process.  The case will receive the full attention of the Government, since it involved its own citizens.  He reiterated that it was a pure domestic issue.

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