AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AMONG ISSUES RAISED BY NATIONAL LEADERS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE

Fifty-ninth General Assembly

Plenary

13^th & 14^th Meetings (AM & PM)

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

AMONG ISSUES RAISED BY NATIONAL LEADERS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE

One of the most pressing global challenges -– African development -- shared the spotlight in the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate today, where national leaders also called attention to ongoing unrest in the Middle East, the threat of terrorism, the perils of sea-level rise and climate change, and the need for new thinking to tackle global crises.

Nearly half of the more than 20 speakers to address the Assembly in two meetings today hailed from the African Continent.  While focusing on their specific national experiences, many common anxieties emerged, including struggles to fend off deepening poverty and hunger; management of the alarming effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic; avoidance of further economic and trade marginalization; and coping with environmental degradation.

Aichatou Mindaoudou, Niger’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said that after so many international meetings and conferences, where world leaders had pledged to mobilize resources for development, it was hard to believe that hundreds of millions of people were still immersed in poverty.  “One has to wonder whether enough political will is being exerted to combat the world’s problems.”  But the poverty that particularly affected Africa was not a question of fate.  Poverty levels could be reduced if the developed world acted resolutely, cancelling foreign debt, opening markets to developing countries and paying proper prices for their raw materials, and eliminating agricultural subsidies.

Taking a slightly different approach, Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Seyoum Mesfin, stressed that Africa had never before been more resolute in its attempt to change the economic and social conditions on the continent for the better, and to create the right climate for peace and stability.  That was what the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into the African Union signified, and what the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) symbolized.  Progress had nevertheless been modest.  There had been insufficient international support for Africa to meet the economic challenges it faced, and unfavourable global trading conditions created an uneven playing field for the developing world and for the least developed among them.

Habib Ben Yahia, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, called for the reorganization of international relations in accordance with a new vision, based on cooperation, solidarity, and coexistence among all peoples.  Tunisia had worked to materialize that vision as host of the Arab Summit, this past May.  Following the Summit, the Arab States sent a clear message to the international community, renewing their commitment to a just, comprehensive, and durable peace to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the Arab peace initiative, international legality, relevant Security Council resolutions, and implementation of the Quartet-backed Road Map peace plan.

Anote Tong, President of Kiribati, said that the myriad challenges in the world today -- from the ongoing conflict in Iraq to the threat of global warming and sea-level rise, from the tightening grip of the HIV/AIDS virus to the further marginalization of the world’s poorest countries -- cast a “dark shadow” on efforts to make good on the pledges made by world leaders four years ago at the Millennium Summit.  He stressed the need for international solidarity in addressing the scourge of terrorism.  And while he recognized the need for national and regional responses, he pointed out that small developing countries like his own often lacked the capacity to develop any effective counter-measures and, therefore, were especially vulnerable to terrorism. 

Turning his focus to the effects of natural disasters on small countries, he shared the view of many top officials from island nations, who stressed that the adverse effects of sea-level rise and climate change should be critical issues for the entire international community and must take centre stage along with other more readily recognized threats to peace and security.  He urged delegations to agree on an international response for environmental protection, much in the same way they were being encouraged to mount a collective response to terrorism.  Moreover, he deplored the trend whereby economic growth apparently took precedence over environmental issues.  “Our very existence as a State is at stake if this thinking prevails.”

Agreeing that the precarious situation of small island developing States was of direct concern to the entire international community, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation of Mauritius, highlighted his country’s preparations to host next year’s international meeting to review implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action.  Ten years after the adoption of that plan, small islands continued to face practically the same challenges in their drive to achieve sustainable development.

He added that, while it was true that many developing countries faced the increasing pressures posed by the combined forces of globalization and trade liberalization, such pressures were heightened for small island developing States, whose particular vulnerabilities constrained efforts to integrate smoothly into the global economy.

The President of Kyrgyzstan also addressed the Assembly today, as did the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Tonga, Bhutan, Comoros, Nepal, Republic of Moldova, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and the Acting Foreign Minister of Uganda.

Also addressing the Assembly were the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Togo and Mali, as well as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Education of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Minister for Foreign and Political Affairs and Justice of San Marino, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Papua New Guinea, and the Minister of State in Charge of External Relations of Cameroon.

The Special Envoy of Brunei Darussalam also spoke, as did the Chairman of the observer delegation of Palestine.

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of Eritrea and Indonesia.

The General Assembly will resume its general debate tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Background

The General Assembly met today to continue its high-level debate.

Statements

ASKAR AKAYEV, President of Kyrgyzstan, said the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, had stressed the supremacy of law in addressing domestic and international challenges.  A number of Member States including the more powerful ones had, in the course of the last week, supported that position.  Such support rebuffed those who sought to act outside of the United Nations.

Turning to domestic issues, he said one of the axioms of his country’s foreign policy was that small countries must have big friends.  The United Nations had been such a tried and trusted friend.  This year, for example, the implementation of a United Nations project had begun to improve the national electoral system and ensure that it would meet international standards.  That was important in light of elections soon to be held in his country.  Also, the proposal by United States President George W. Bush for a fund for democracy was a good one.

He went on to say that, two years ago, a global mountain summit had taken place in Kyrgyzstan that had resulted in the adoption of the Mountain Platform for Action, which laid out the key precepts for the development of mountain States and their people.  He drew the attention of the international community to the situation of development in the least developed mountain countries.  To help support those countries, he proposed the tabling and adoption of a special resolution at this General Assembly session, which would write off the foreign debt of the least developed mountain countries.  That would help them reduce poverty and would also be in line with the Millennium Development Goals.  Related to that, his country looked forward to the thorough assessment planned for the five-year anniversary of the Millennium Summit next year.  Of particular importance would be the review of the efforts to reduce poverty.

The link between war and poverty was indisputable, he continued.  Poverty bred dispossessed youth, who were then prime targets for recruitment by terrorists.  The policy to eradicate terrorism by harsh force, however, was still a separate issue that required a concerted global effort on all fronts to be successful.  He was aware of the simmering hotbeds of terrorism in neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan.  His country had, therefore, allowed the deployment of United States and Russian Federation forces on its territory.  That was necessary for the war against terror and to save humanity.

The “clash of civilizations” was not an innocent theoretical exercise, he noted.  In that light, his country and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had organized a conference on the subject.  The term “clash of civilizations” was rejected as unfounded.  It was further recommended that the term should be removed from the global agenda as it was dangerous.  The future belonged to dialogue and culture among civilizations.  He supported the proposals to bring the United Nations in line with twenty-first century realities, particularly the role of the Security Council.  Germany and Japan must become permanent members of the Council, while that body must also be expanded to have more non-permanent members.

TU’A TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga, said that his Government was enthusiastically looking forward to the upcoming ten-year review of the Barbados Programme of Action, set for January 2005 in Mauritius.  It was critical, particularly following the adoption of the landmark Johannesburg Plan of Implementation at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), that development issues specific to small island developing States (SIDS) “did not get lost in their own rhetoric”.  It was, therefore, critical that the outcomes from Mauritius refine the oft-called “special case” small island issues into practicable initiatives that could be globally supported and implemented.

He went on to highlight some of the development challenges small islands faced, particularly their geographical disadvantages.  Citing Tonga’s own experience, for the most part typical among ocean States, he said that economic development had focused on the larger, heavily populated islands in the three-island chain, while three small remote islands to the north, known as the Niuas, suffered the “tyranny of distance”.  While those islands were less developed and were actually closer to Samoa than they were Tongatapu proper, they nevertheless had growth potential that needed to be tapped and supported.  He hoped that that phenomenon would be one of the focuses of the Barbados review.

On broader international issues, he said that wanton acts of terrorism continued to test the fortitude of all States, and everyone must remain resolute to prevent and vigorously combat the scourge.  Innovation and versatility would be required to find meaningful countermeasures and long-term solutions.  And while Tonga would continue to support the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), he stressed that the body’s reporting procedure was onerous, so the option of funnelling such reports through a regional organization might give small island administrations some relief.  He added that Tonga adhered to the “one China” policy and welcomed its expanding cooperation with that huge country.  Turning to the United Nations, he said that membership in the Security Council ought to be expanded in both permanent and non-permanent categories, including a permanent seat for Japan for the Asian group, as well as one permanent seat each for Africa and Latin America.

HABIB BEN YAHIA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, called for the reorganization of international relations in accordance with a new vision, based on cooperation, solidarity, and coexistence among all peoples.  Tunisia had worked to materialize that vision as host of the Arab Summit, held in May 2004.  Following the Summit, the Arab States sent a clear message to the international community renewing their commitment to a just, comprehensive, and durable peace to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the Arab peace initiative, international legality, relevant Security Council resolutions, and implementation of the Road Map.

The escalation of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories required prompt action by the international community to provide protection to the Palestinian people; lift the siege imposed on its legitimate leadership; put an end to settlements; and recognize the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, that declared illegal Israel’s building of the separation wall and called for its demolition.  That would provide conditions for the resumption of the peace process, allowing the Palestinian people to recover their rights and establish an independent State, as well as enable Syria and Lebanon to recover all their occupied territories.

Regarding Iraq, the community of Arab States stressed the necessity for the United Nations to assume a vital role.  Tunisia would continue, as part of the League of Arab States, to support international efforts aimed at establishing security and stability in Iraq and provide appropriate conditions for its reconstruction.  The Arab countries also supported efforts exerted by the United Nations and at regional levels, particularly by the African Union, to achieve peace in the Sudan.  They also welcomed steps taken by the Sudanese Government to honour its commitments under an agreement signed on 3 July with the Secretary-General concerning the reestablishment of security and stability in the Darfur region.

During the Arab Summit, the Arab States also reaffirmed that finding just solutions to the fundamental problems of the region would enhance the process of development, promote the consolidation of the principles of human rights and democracy, and help foster women’s role and status in society, in conformity with each country’s cultural specificities, conditions and abilities.  He said additional support was needed for the activation of the “world fund for solidarity and poverty eradication”, established on the basis of Tunisia’s proposal, and noted the efforts in that regard by President Ignacio Lula da Silva of Brazil.  He also renewed an invitation to all international partners to participate in the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, to be held in Tunis in November 2005.  Tunisia first called for the convening of such a summit in 1998, to allow all countries to achieve integration within the international knowledge society.

LYONPO KHANDU WANGCHUK, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, expressing his support for an expanded Security Council, observed that much of the ongoing debate on United Nations reforms had justifiably centred on the reform of the Council as the organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.  In a world torn by old and new conflicts, the Council needed to change if it was to remain effective and retain the confidence of all Member States.  Similarly, its composition had to change to reflect the Organization’s wider membership, as well as the new geo-political and economic realities of today.  In calling for increased membership in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, he strongly believed that India and Japan, in view of their important roles in international affairs, were pre-eminently qualified for permanent membership on an expanded Council.

With the toll in human lives continuing to mount, he urged Member States to take urgent and concerted action against terrorism in all its forms.  He went to state that the conflicts and crises that continued to disrupt the political stability, security and socio-economic welfare of millions around the world were largely fuelled by conditions of poverty and underdevelopment.  Recognizing that interrelationship, the international community had taken initiatives in recent years that sought to address those issues.  Among such initiatives was the Millennium Summit, which provided a comprehensive set of time-bound targets to be achieved in order to provide a more peaceful, prosperous and just world.

Sadly, however, those targets remained distant for many and the gap between the rich and the poor kept widening among and within nations.  It was against that background that he welcomed next year’s high-level plenary meeting to review the integrated follow-up and implementation of outcomes of the United Nations conferences and summits.  He was hopeful that the review would lead to further concrete actions by all stakeholders.

BIOSSEY KOKOU TOZOUN, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Togo, said the Assembly’s current session was occurring at a time when peace and international security were under threat.  “We were living in a fragile state because of our collective inability to ensure stability, peace and development for all.”  He went on to spotlight current situations throughout the continent, starting with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which was pressing ahead with its effort to hold elections in 2005.  There was a need for the international community to spare no effort to ensure that the ballot was successful and that all the other hard won gains there were consolidated.  Togo also supported the Secretary-General’s proposal to gradually increase troops assigned to the United Nations Organization Mission (MONUC), and hoped the proposed international conference on the Great Lakes would go a long way to ensuring peace, stability and good neighbourly relations between all the countries of that region.

On the Sudan, he said that the international community must assist the Sudanese Government and the armed groups to elaborate and sign a negotiated settlement agreement.  It must also support the efforts of the African Union in the Darfur region.  He added that war-torn Liberia also needed international attention as its reconstruction and national reconciliation efforts got underway.  For its part, Togo would continue to support United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Africa and around the world through the provision of military observers, as it was currently doing Liberia, Burundi and Haiti, among others.  On the Middle East, he said the escalation of violence was continuing, placing the notion of achieving any headway on the Palestinian-Israeli issue under threat.  Here, the diplomatic Quartet must do its utmost to ensure that both sides adhered to the dual and reciprocal initiatives outlined in the Road Map peace plan.

He went on to stress the importance of comprehensive post-conflict peace-building initiatives.  The international community must ensure that education programmes went hand-in-hand with disarmament initiatives.  Togo also believed that it was high time for the Assembly to review the financing and operation of the United Nations regional centres to ensure that they were effective and operating to their potential.  As host country of the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, Togo would work to ensure its smooth operation.  Turning to other issues, he said that terrorism was another danger of the day -– a scourge where the lack of action only bred more violence.  It was up to each State to strengthen security with their own borders, and work closely with poor States on regional and international levels so that they could develop mechanisms to join the broader fight against terrorism.

On the Millennium Declaration, he said that by that important text, world governments had reinforced their will to do their utmost to fight hunger, reduce poverty and curb the spread of infectious diseases.  But four years later, achieving the goals for financing sustainable development and eradicating poverty and hunger in developing countries had proved difficult.  That critical situation required that serious questions be asked, such as where was that solidarity that had been so loudly proclaimed at the Millennium Summit?  Also troubling was that the collapse of trade negotiations last year at Cancun had evoked real fears regarding the multilateral trading system.  He reiterated the need for all global partners to generate the political will to meet the objectives agreed at Johannesburg and Monterrey, as well as in New York at the Millennium Summit.  Togo was doing its part to build a genuinely democratic society, which took into account the country’s socio-economic realities and included the broadest possible contributions from the people of the country.

TIMOTHY HARRIS, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Education of St. Kitts and Nevis, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, whose objectives had long been incorporated into its human development agenda.  Even before those targets were agreed upon, primary and secondary education had been compulsory in his country, which could explain the 97.8 per cent literacy rate.  St. Kitts and Nevis had recognized and benefited from gender equality and the empowerment of women, and the country was among the first in its region to create a Ministry of Women’s Affairs.  Winning the war against poverty was equally important, and the country remained steadfast in its efforts to eliminate it.  In the past seven years, St. Kitts and Nevis had endured social and economic dislocations in the wake of several catastrophic natural disasters and downturns in the global economy.  Nonetheless, investment in education, health and job creation continued.

Small island developing States lacked the economies of scale to overcome vulnerabilities on their own, he stated, adding that partnerships such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) allowed for a quick response in the event of adversity.  The international community should accept the concept of vulnerability and establish a vulnerability index that could be appropriately applied to the SIDS.  Grenada’s devastation within three hours of Hurricane Ivan dramatized how a generation of developmental progress could be wiped out in a small vulnerable nation.

Turning to HIV/AIDS, he said the Pan-Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS was the first and only regional mechanism created to deal with the pandemic in a multinational way.  Regional cooperation had led to reductions in the cost of antiretroviral drugs, and to the ability to negotiate reduced prices for other important pharmaceutical drugs.  Networks or collective mechanisms were the most effective means of problem solving.

Good governance meant placing the United Nations at the centre of international interaction, he said, adding that it also required respect for each country’s right to choose its own course, consistent with its laws and the will of its people.  Good governance was about creating better understanding, cooperation, partnership and the building of bridges of friendship.  CARICOM took great pride in its parliamentary system of government and the solid democracies from its centuries-old tradition.  Although CARICOM faced great limitations and challenges owing to the absence of natural and financial resources, it had managed to build credible democratic institutions.

MOCTAR OUANE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, opened his remarks by noting that even as his country was celebrating the forty-fourth anniversary of its independence, it was dealing with the damage caused by an unprecedented locust invasion.  “This infestation has surpassed even the most pessimistic projections in its scope and speed”, he said, with catastrophic effects on upcoming harvests, posing the risk of famine and threatening the livelihood of millions of men and women.  Mali was working, with the support of the international community, to help those affected, but there was a need for greater international assistance.  “We need to act, act quickly, and act effectively”, he said.

Highlighting Mali’s role in various regional initiatives, he said that his country would continue to support the peace and reconciliation process in Cote d’Ivoire.  He also noted Mali’s contributions to peacekeeping forces, including to the African Union, in Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burundi.  To address the problem of small arms and light weapons, Mali had developed initiatives at the regional and sub-regional levels.  However, the international community must create a binding legal instrument to control the illicit traffic of light arms and small weapons.  He also emphasized the need to keep the plight of children in armed conflict among the priorities of the United Nations.

The war on poverty was a major objective of his Government, he said, supporting the recent initiative launched in New York by French President Jacques Chirac and Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva.  He spoke about the inequities of international trade, and the need to eliminate subsidies, especially on cotton.  African countries offered a true competitive advantage in producing cotton at costs five times lower than in developed countries, he said.  Repeating Mali’s opposition to subsidies, arguing that they went against free competition, he called for the elimination of all tariff and non-tariff barriers and the free movement of peoples, goods, and services.

He reaffirmed Mali’s faith in the United Nations, but noted that its “ability and credibility have been weakened” as of late.  It was important to carry out a thorough reform and to revitalize the Organization’s main bodies.  Mali supported the common African position that Security Council reform was a priority.  The Council must better reflect today’s world, especially regarding the representation of Africa.

SEYOUM MESFIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, said Africa had never before been more determined and resolute in its attempt to change for the better the economic and social conditions on the continent, and to create the right climate for peace and stability.  That was what the transformation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU) signified, and what the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) symbolized.  NEPAD’s Peer Review Mechanism was a vivid demonstration of Africa’s commitment to good and accountable governance.  But, despite efforts being made, progress so far had been modest and not sufficient enough to bring about hope in the future of the continent.  There was insufficient support internationally for Africa to meet the economic challenges it faced, and unfavourable conditions in international trade created an un-level playing field for the developing world and for the least developed among them.  Moreover, no substantial progress had been made to relieve many in Africa of the debt burden.

Ethiopia faced a triple challenge, he said, including the need for rapid development, the deepening of democratization underway in the country, and the assurance of peace and stability, not only within the country but throughout the sub-region.  With respect to development issues, the primary tasks were the fight against poverty and ensuring food security.  A nation, as diverse as Ethiopia, could count on no other form of governance other than a democratic one.  As such, the survival of his nation required good governance and democratic handling of differences.  Ethiopia wanted to put the crisis with Eritrea behind it, and it was his nation’s conviction that both peoples would be mistaken to see each other as an enemy.  It had become difficult for Ethiopia and Eritrea to formally complete the peace process because of complications that had been created in connection with the implementation of some aspects of the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC).

He went on to say that dialogue was the only acceptable way out of the deadlock, and would form the basis for normalization of relations.  Eritrea, however, continued to be preoccupied with the hope of getting the Security Council to impose sanction on Ethiopia.  Yet nowhere in the text of the Algiers Agreement of December 2000 was provision made for any entity to enforce a court decision, neither the Security Council nor the AU.  Turning to the peace process in Somalia, he said it had come to a critical point with the Somalis closer now, than in the past 13 years, to establishing a government.  His country would continue to contribute to the achievement of national reconciliation.  Ethiopia was also looking forward to the final consummation of the peace process between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA), which had now slowed due to the tragedy in Darfur.  Ethiopia was keen to see the Darfur crisis resolved, and the humanitarian tragedy dealt with as speedily as possible.

AICHATOU MINDAOUDOU, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Niger, said today the international community was at a crossroad.  International peace and security, that had been sorely tested by international conflicts, were now being further tested by terrorist attacks that took advantage of the current insecure and indecisive world environment.  The Middle East conflict had cost humanity in terms of lost lives and hope, as well as financial resources.  Also, the issue of Jammu and Kashmir would require sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Niger had now set up a political system that was pluralistic, she said.  There was also a Constitution that separated powers and an independent judiciary.  On 13 November, her country would hold new presidential elections.  The conclusion of that and other prior processes, including recently held district and municipal, elections, would mean that for the first time since 1991 there would be a multi-party system in Niger.  Her country had also contributed to a number of United Nations peacekeeping and peace-building initiatives around the world, and had also worked closely with the Organization of African Unity to help extinguish hotbeds of tension in Africa, including Cote d’Ivoire.  Her Government also put great faith in working with sub-regional institutions to help resolve conflicts and other issues.  At a recent conference of the African Union in Ouagadougou, African countries had decided to put employment at the centre of social and development policies.

She said it was hard to believe that hundreds of millions of people were immersed in poverty; that HIV/AIDS was still spreading at an alarming rate; that the least developed countries (LDCs) were still cut off from international trade; and that, despite commitments to international conventions, there was still an environmental degradation problem.  One had to wonder whether enough political will was being exerted to combat the world’s problems.  Facing reality, which included the economic stagnation and poverty of many countries, meant acknowledging that international cooperation was the key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Yet, after numerous gatherings by the international community to examine the issue of resource mobilization for development, the results to date were meagre.  The poverty that particularly affected Africa was not a question of fate.  It was possible that poverty levels could be reduced by the industrialized members of the international community through resolute action, including foreign debt cancellation, increasing official development assistance (ODA), opening markets to developing countries and paying proper prices for their raw materials, as well as the elimination of agricultural subsidies.  Something also had to be done to stem the effects of the locust invasion that the world had been warned about, but which had nevertheless devastated Africa and now threatened many with starvation.

SOUEF MOHAMED EL AMINE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Comoros, said that while the world was slowly forging ahead in the third millennium, the outlook of the planets increasingly interdependent peoples were swinging between hope and concern.  It was clear that there could be no peace and security as long as hundreds of millions of those people were prisoners to hunger and poverty.  There could be no peace and security when no serious effort had been made to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.  “And what kind of world do we live in where the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction went unchecked?”  The United Nations must more than ever live up to its Charter mandate.  The Organization must be at the vanguard of international efforts aimed at combating the scourges of poverty, disease and terrorism.

With the Millennium Declaration in mind, Comoros had set out on a path to undo the damage wrought in its crisis years with, among other initiatives, the elaboration of a national poverty reduction strategy.  Nevertheless, assistance from the international community would be critical as Comoros pressed ahead with its home-grown programmes.  He hoped the political will expressed at the recent Summit of the African Union on the holding of a donors’ round table on behalf of Comoros would spread to the wider international community, so that the island nation could gradually rejoin other nations around the world moving toward sustainable development.

Pressing ahead with efforts to ensure equity and justice also required better representation in the United Nations, and particularly in the Security Council.  He joined others calling for permanent seats for Africa, Brazil, Japan and Germany, which would make the Council more representative of modern realities.  He also called for special attention to the needs of small island nations –- their vulnerability to volcanic eruption, cyclones, rising water levels and desertification -- particularly in light of the upcoming Mauritius review of the Barbados Platform for Action.  On the question of Mayotte, Comoros would appeal to the French Government to enter into constructive political dialogue on the subject, with the hope of arriving at a settlement in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.

FAROUK ASSAAD KADDOUMI, Head of the Political Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization, focused his remarks on the turbulent situation in the Middle East, stating that the occupation of Iraq was based on an unfounded pretext and had further damaged the already grave situation in the region.  He urged the United Nations to take necessary measures to ensure Iraq’s independence and sovereignty as soon as possible.

He accused Israel, the only nuclear power in the Middle East, of breaking moral and international laws with impunity in its policies and practices in occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories.  Citing daily assaults on Palestinian towns, the demolition of homes, targeted killings, and the use of disproportionate firepower, he said that Israel’s response to the proposed Road Map to peace were “acts of State terrorism”.  The Palestinians had embraced the Road Map, which was unanimously adopted by the Security Council, and hoped that the Quartet would renew its efforts to reach the destination of a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005.

The disengagement plan for Gaza, proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was a further deviation from that destination, he said.  While Israel would leave the settlements, it would still control everything that entered and exited Gaza and would block the only route between Gaza and Egypt.  He quoted from the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice declaring Israel’s construction of the separation wall to be illegal and stating that “the United Nations, especially the General Assembly and the Security Council, should consider what further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and the associated regime, taking due account of the present Advisory Opinion”.  He appealed for the opinion of the Court to be heeded and action-oriented resolutions taken, which would help restore confidence in the United Nations and its Charter.

ANOTE TONG, President of Kiribati, said that myriad challenges in the world today -- from the ongoing conflict in Iraq to the threat of global warming and sea-level rise, from the tightening grip of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to the further marginalization of the world’s poorest countries -- cast a “dark shadow” on efforts to make good on the pledges made by world leaders four years ago at the Millennium Summit.  He urged delegations to unite in the face of those daunting challenges, as well as another threat to international peace and security:  the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the illicit spread of small arms.  “We must be unified in our approach to addressing these challenges effectively”, he said, “through closer regional and international cooperation”.  Kiribati supported all non-proliferation efforts and was a party to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), among others.

He also stressed the need for international solidarity in addressing the scourge of terrorism.  Indeed, while recognizing the need for national and regional responses, he pointed out that small developing countries like his own often lacked the capacity to develop any effective countermeasures and, therefore, were especially vulnerable to terrorism.  Although most of Kiribati’s limited resources were targeted to socio-economic development programmes, the Government had made some progress with technical assistance from development partners on enacting some important legislation relating to terrorism and transnational crime.

Noting with deep regret the loss of life and devastation of property caused by the recent series of hurricanes and tropical storms that had pummelled the Caribbean and the United States’ southern Atlantic coast, he turned his focus to the effects of natural disasters on small countries.  The adverse effects of sea-level rise and climate change should be critical issues for the entire international community and indeed must take centre stage along with other more readily recognized threats to peace and security.  He urged delegations to agree on a global response for environmental protection, much in the same way they were being encouraged to mount a collective response to terrorism.  Moreover, with international legislation on sea-level rise and climate change being all but ignored, he deplored the trend whereby economic growth apparently took precedence over environmental issues.  “Our very existence as a State is at stake if this thinking prevails.”

He went on to emphasize the importance of regional cooperation as an effective mechanism for addressing many challenges facing the Asia Pacific region.  He noted that countries in the region had approved to jump start the “Pacific Plan”, which would promote collective action in areas of security, good governance, economic growth and sustainable development.  Still, expanded cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized organs, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, could only result in a more effective and harmonized delivery of assistance to member countries.

FABIO BERARDI, Minister for Foreign and Political Affairs and Justice of San Marino, observed that, in order for it to continue to serve the international community effectively, the United Nations needed to be given the tools it required to do so.  Also, the Organization should be adequately supported to better enable it to meet the growing number of requests for peacekeeping operations in the various regions of the world.

Reaffirming his condemnation of terrorism as an unjustified serious and impending threat to peace, he said his country favoured the search for constructive solutions that promoted dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples of different cultures and religions.  He trusted the international community would help achieve national reconciliation in Iraq.  The elections next January would be a milestone in the Iraqi people’s exercise of their sovereignty.  He added that the Middle East crisis, which had remained unresolved despite the efforts of the United Nations to encourage dialogue and mediation, remained a source of concern and disappointment for his country.

The political process outlined in the Road Map and backed by the international community still appeared to be the only viable solution to achieve the ultimate goal of peaceful coexistence of two States, Israel and Palestine. To that end, he hoped that such a process would soon resume.  He also supported the United Nations presence in Afghanistan, in view of the forthcoming presidential elections, and shared the hope that the positive process embarked upon by that country would continue.  Further, he deplored the new attacks against United Nations offices that took place there a few days ago.

With regard to Security Council reform, he favoured an increase in the number of non-permanent members, in the most appropriate way, and of the gradual restriction of the right of veto, with a view to its eventual elimination.  The increase in the number of permanent seats and the extension of the right of veto would entail, in his view, greater injustice through the perpetuation of privileges.

HAJAH MASNA, Special Envoy, Brunei Darussalam, acknowledged that the United Nations had achieved a lot since its establishment 59 years ago, especially in ensuring international peace and security and in creating a stable and prosperous world.  However, she said that the achievements made by the United Nations had been undermined by increasingly complex international developments.  Moreover, the Organization was still preoccupied with many unresolved issues, among them, the Palestinian conflict, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, poverty, environmental degradation, and the spread of diseases.  All of those things, she said, demanded an effective response, which would ultimately define the relevance of the Organization.

The United Nations, she continued, could not promote world peace and development, as well as give hope and purpose to the people who increasingly looked to it to improve their lives, all on its own.  For it to carry out its responsibilities effectively, member countries needed to work together, contribute resources and honour their commitments.  Furthermore, in order for the Organization to be better equipped, there was a need for reform in a more urgent manner.  Brunei Darussalam, she said, fully supported the Secretary-General’s efforts in strengthening and revitalizing the United Nations and, in particular, welcomed the work of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.

The reform should be comprehensive to also include an expanded and more representative Security Council, a revitalized role for the General Assembly, and better coordination among the United Nations agencies, she said.  The interest of a number of countries to serve as permanent members of the Security Council was a clear indication of the desire for change.  Her country also looked forward to the report of the High-Level Panel and the recommendations of the Secretary-General, next year, which she said would hopefully make the necessary bold and realistic proposals to end the decade-long debate on the issue.

As the agenda for the fifty-ninth session was looked into, she said Member States should remain focused on the issues affecting the many innocent lives in Palestine.  The concerned parties must do all they could to prevent the situation from deteriorating.  The nuclear issue on the KoreanPeninsula, she added, had a serious impact on the peace, stability and security of the Asia-Pacific, and it was important that all parties concerned continue with their efforts towards achieving a peaceful resolution.

PRAKASH SHARAN MAHAT, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, said his country’s track record was testimony to its unflinching commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations.  So far, over 45,000 Nepalese peacekeepers had served in various missions, with 47 of them having already sacrificed their lives in the service of peace and humanity.  Currently, there were 2,500 Nepalese blue helmets deployed in 12 peacekeeping missions around the world.  Willing to bring its experience to the table, Nepal was seeking a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the period 2007-2008, after a gap of 19 years.  Addressing the issue of conflicts, he said the international community should look beyond the immediate and seek to build a strong foundation for durable peace by pursuing disarmament, development and the rule of law.  It was sad that for the last several years there had been no programme of work for the Conference on Disarmament.  That body must be allowed to work on a coherent strategy that would lead to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons in a time-bound manner.

He said international peace and security would continue to be elusive until the root causes of conflict were addressed -- poverty, ignorance, disease, exclusion and injustice.  “It is imperative that we address these conditions collectively for the shared benefits of human beings as a whole”, he said.  While developing countries had primary responsibility for their own economic development and social progress, their development partners had their obligations to meet under the various global compacts.  Developing countries, given the mammoth challenges they faced would not be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals without enhanced assistance.  Also, fair globalization and open markets would help reduce poverty, increase employment, and lift standards of living in developing countries.  The development partners should, therefore, dismantle their agricultural subsidies and open their markets for goods and labour from the South.  They should also offer assistance to build the capacity to attract and absorb foreign direct investment and to remove supply-side constraints.

The least developed countries, he continued, needed the most generous assistance and market access to be able to join the global economy.  Studies had shown that Nepal would not be able to meet most of the Millennium Goals without such targeted measures from its development partners.  And although his country had joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) last year, most least developed countries were still outside the multilateral trade framework.  “We call on the members of the WTO to facilitate quick and concessionary memberships for these countries”, he said.  Nepal also urged the international community to change the international financial architecture to give voice to the small and the weak.

He said there were nearly 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern Nepal for over 10 years.  Although his country did not have the capacity to take care of them, it had let them stay on humanitarian grounds.  He called on the international community, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to continue its support until those refugees were able to go back home and fully resettle.  Additionally, Maoists had brutalized people in Nepal, destroyed homes and public infrastructure, recruited child soldiers, engaged in extortion and intimidation, and killed civilians.  While seeking to engage those elements in a dialogue to find a political settlement, his Government also had an obligation to protect the lives of people and safeguard them by strengthening security.  In that context, his Government highly appreciated both the moral and material support that its friends had been providing in the fight against Maoist violence.

ANDREI STRATAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, said it was of crucial importance to further strengthen the Organization’s anti-terrorist legal framework.  In that regard, his government supported current efforts towards the conclusion of a convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism and a comprehensive international convention on international terrorism.  It was not realistic to expect to win the war against terrorism as long as regional and internal conflicts remained unsolved and their root causes not properly addressed.  Recently, terrorism had been increasingly merging with separatism, and there was the risk that non-State actors might one day acquire weapons of mass destruction.  He urged the United Nations and the Security Council to suppress any manifestations of separatism and consistently defend the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Regretfully, separatism continued to be the main obstacle in the path of consolidating Moldova’s independence and statehood, he said.  Over the years, his nation had systematically informed relevant international organizations of the dangers political conflict had caused in its eastern region and, thus, posed to regional and international peace and security.  The settlement of the conflict had become the nation’s absolute priority, and initiatives put forward in recent years reflected the determination and political will of Moldovan authorities to peacefully resolve the conflict.  In particular, he underlined an initiative of the President on the establishment of a Joint Constitutional Commission tasked with drafting a new constitution.

Despite the constructive approach of Moldovan authorities with the self-appointed leaders and other participants in the multilateral framework of negotiations, the course of events had demonstrated that separatist leaders did not sincerely wish for the country’s reintegration.  There was also concern about the human rights situation in the area controlled by separatist forces.  That region remained an area of illegal production and trafficking of arms.

He reaffirmed his Government’s strong belief that the deployment of an international monitoring mission, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, along the border of Moldova and Ukraine, would contribute to the prevention and elimination of such risks, and would facilitate the identification of a solution to the problem.  The reintegration of the country and consolidation of democratic values were essential conditions for the European integration of Moldova.  It was in that context that the President of the Republic of Moldova had launched the Stability and Security Pact, aimed at reaching consensus among concerned parties.

LAURIE CHAN, Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands, said that, in view of the complex challenges facing the world and debates about whether to use unilateral or multilateral means to tackle them, calls by the Secretary-General for institutional reform were more urgent than ever before.  She fully supported the proposed enlargement of the Security Council, in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, as well as permanent membership for Japan and Germany.  She suggested that opportunities within the Secretariat be made available to small island nations on the basis of in-country, rather than externally conducted, assessment examinations, so that Headquarters staff would better reflect the diversity of the Organization’s membership.  She also repeated the call for the United Nations to allow Taiwan to be a full and equal Member of the Organization.

Offering the recent experience of the Solomon Islands as a model for regional and international cooperation, she noted that, four years ago, her country was wracked by violence when conflict erupted between two of the many ethnic groups on the Islands.  A mission led by Australia, and strongly supported by New Zealand and other Pacific Islands Forum member countries, responded to the Solomon Islands’ call for help.  The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) stabilized the country within three months, collecting some 3,700 weapons without a shot being fired.  But it also went beyond the mere restoration of law and order, she said, pursuing a long-term approach that allowed the processes of healing, rehabilitation, and nation-building to continue.

Strengthening regional cooperation through the Pacific Plan, which was recently adopted by the Pacific Islands Forum leaders in Samoa, would help small countries work together to solve problems that each might lack the capacity to address individually.  The Solomon Islands supported the peace process in Bougainville and urged the United Nations to continue its important role there.  She also called on the international community to support small States in their efforts to combat transnational crimes, such as arms smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism.

The Solomon Islands planned to pay closer attention to emerging health threats, especially malaria, which was the predominant cause of death among children.  She added that a lack of data on HIV/AIDS presented a threat to the country, a problem that might be addressed with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, and Japan.  The international community should recognize that small island developing States, including the Solomon Islands, faced special challenges, including greater vulnerability to natural disasters and environmental change, and difficulties adapting to the globalization of the world economy.

JAYA KRISHNA CUTTAREE, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation of Mauritius, said the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly was being held at a particularly significant time, when the international community was preparing itself to tackle major challenges and developments over the next 12 months.  Of special interest to small island developing States, such as his, were two major events next year.  Those were the international meeting for the review of the Barbados Programme of Action for the sustainable development of small island developing States, which would be hosted by Mauritius, and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction scheduled to be held in Japan.

Ten years after Barbados, small island States continued to face practically the same challenges in their drive to achieve sustainable development, he noted.  Their small size, fragile eco-system, geographic isolation and limited resources, compounded by the threats of climate change, rising sea levels and natural disasters, made them particularly vulnerable.  While it was true many developing countries faced the increasing pressures posed by the combined force of globalization and trade liberalization, such pressures were even more exacerbating for small island developing States, whose small markets and limited market access for their produce constrained their efforts to integrate smoothly into the global economy.  Additionally, they suffered from natural vulnerabilities, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis.

Proclaiming that the precarious situation of small island developing States was of direct concern to the international community, he appealed to Member States to take bold initiatives to implement meaningfully the Barbados Programme and to enable countries such as his to build resilience and capacity, and to integrate fully into the global economy.  Continuing, he said Africa, home to 34 of the world’s 48 poorest countries, also remained an enormous challenge for the United Nations.  The deadly spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic continued to claim a devastating toll on that continent, particularly in southern Africa.  Africans were committed to further democratization that would give the continent’s societies and people a voice in the decision-making process.  That was why African nations were doing everything, despite scarcity of resources, to consolidate the African Union, and make it central in their collective bid to grapple with the development concerns of the region.

On the ongoing disagreements with the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, he regretted that bilateral approaches to resolve the matter had so far not yielded any results, and noted that “certain recent regrettable unilateral actions by the UK” had not been helpful.  It was now time to comprehensively address the plight of the inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago.

RABBIE L. NAMALIU, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Papua New Guinea, said that one of the greatest achievements of the United Nations system was the process of decolonization, which had seen more than 70 countries, including his own, take their “rightful place” in the General Assembly.  However, the process would not be complete until the remaining 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories, including New Caledonia and Tokelau, had exercised their inalienable right to self-determination.

The world, he continued, was witnessing great leaps in technology, but, at the same time, it was also seeing an increase in global dilemmas, such as poverty and hunger, the ravages of HIV/AIDS, wars, and conflicts and terrorism, among others.  Each country was facing numerous challenges, many of which were common to all, regardless of size, location, or status as developed or developing countries.  Under such circumstances, it was necessary to work together as a community of nations to help each other address those challenges.  That was most evident in the domain of international peace and security, as a terrorist act committed in one State today also affected others elsewhere in the global community.  Condemning recent terrorist acts around the world, he said that the most affected were innocent civilians.  He supported the Secretary-General’s efforts to rally the international community to subscribe to the treaties on the protection of civilians.

The situation in the Middle East, he continued, remained intractable, and required constant and deliberate attention by the United Nations, especially by the Security Council.  Papua New Guinea’s own experience in the Bougainville conflict had taught it that there could be peace if all parties really desired it and were willing to resolve their differences.  Another common responsibility was to ensure the protection and conservation of resources of vital importance to humanity.  It was also necessary to pool resources and consider ways of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change in order to help vulnerable States.  He applauded the intention of the Russian Federation to consider becoming a party to the Kyoto Protocol, and urged others to recognize their responsibilities to the global community by doing the same.

Turning to United Nations reform, he believed the membership of the Security Council should be expanded in both permanent and non-permanent categories, to take into account the lack of sufficient representation from developing countries in the Asia-Pacific, African and Latin American regions.  Also, Japan and Germany should be seriously considered for permanent membership with equal privileges and obligations.  Reform should also be comprehensive to enable the General Assembly to regain its pre-eminent role as the principal organ of the Organization.  That would allow all Member States, large and small, to engage more meaningfully in addressing all challenges in an effective way.  That, he added, was the purpose for which the United Nations had been established.

BARAK TAME SOPE MAAUTAMATE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu, supported efforts to reform the United Nations to ensure a more effective Organization.  He endorsed the views of other delegations on the need to review the membership of the Security Council, to better reflect geographical representation.  While the fight against terrorism took centre stage, he continued, it must not overshadow the socio-economic development agenda and other security concerns affecting the developing world, in particular, those of small island States.  The global economic situation today discriminated against many developing economies.  Unfair trading practices and the imposition of intrusive policies on national economies, such as his, exposed them to unfavourable conditions that favoured stronger nations.

His Government’s initial focus was on the social sector, in particular, the areas of health and education, he said.  The Government’s Prioritized Action Agenda launched last year in consultation with development partners was the catalyst for Vanuatu’s medium- to long-term strategic planning, which was consistent with the Millennium Development Goals.  The Agenda also emphasized the need to empower the rural population through infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives.  Primary responsibility for development lay with the State itself, he said.  At the same time, external influences and conditional aid had not adequately corresponded to Vanuatu’s development priorities and advancement.  Externally driven reforms must be buttressed by an equal partnership that respected local tradition, culture and the rights of all citizens without disturbing the uniting mechanism that had, over time, successfully held the nation together.

Turning to the situation in West Papua, he said the United Nations must be consistent in its decision regarding the recognition of the right to self-determination.  The truth surrounding the Act of Free Choice must be exposed to the Melanesian people and to the international community, calling attention to General Assembly resolution 2504 of 1969.  How could the Organization continue to ignore the cries of over 3 million people demanding justice?  The Netherlands, in particular, which was the former colonial authority, should shoulder some responsibility for helping to resolve the situation in a peaceful and transparent manner.

He called for the establishment of a special commission of enquiry to review the conduct of the United Nations in relation to the 1969 act.  He also called for a fact-finding mission to examine the situation in West Papua with regard to human rights abuses, and for the re-inscription of West Papua on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.  He added that the relocation of the Pacific Operations Centre of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Vanuatu to another location had not been properly discussed with his Government, and he requested that the decision be reconsidered.

FRANÇOIS-XAVIER NGOUBEYOU, Minister of State in Charge of External Relations of Cameroon, said that despite the “ups and downs” in the United Nations -- particularly in the Security Council -- it was time for an active dialogue among nations, to ensure universality and promote peace.  The world was, of course, facing many changes, some of which were new and some that were better known and older, which remained without any real solutions, either because of their complexity or because of a lack of  mobilization on the part of the international community commensurate with the stakes involved.

He believed that man must be at the heart of any substantial reform of the United Nations.  Therefore, he would continue to press for the proposal made at the Millennium Summit by Paul Biya that an international observer for ethics be established in the Secretariat that would promote -- within and outside of nations -- universal and fundamental human values.  Cameroon also endorsed a proposal by the African Union that advocated a reconstituted Security Council, with seven seats for Africa, including two permanent ones.  That proposal should be afforded consensus without delay in order to attain a more credible Security Council.  Cameroon was also committed to eradicating new kinds of threats that seriously imperilled international peace and security, and condemned international terrorism, as well as fundamentalism and extremism.  He suggested that a high-level conference be urgently convened for Member States to together find a more effective way of combating that challenge.  The response to terrorism, however, could not solely be military in nature, but must focus on the causes of violence.

Other concerns requiring the attention of the United Nations, he continued, included a resolution to eliminate poverty, mobilizing against epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, creating equity in world trade, and eradicating the external debt of poor countries.  There was a real risk that endemic poverty would become something people were accustomed to, even though it was killing thousands every day.  “Solidarity with the poor must become reality rather than mere lip service”, he said.  Citing cotton as a victim of unbalanced and unfair globalization, he said that rich countries could easily subsidize agriculture and other industries, while poor countries had to submit themselves to the laws of the market.  It was also necessary to remedy the fact that medication existed that could contain such pandemics as malaria and meningitis, but most people infected with such diseases were not able to obtain them due to lack of finances.

While Africa suffered from numerous conflicts, the situation in such countries as Liberia and Sierra Leone gave reason for hope.  It was indispensable, however, that the International Conference on the Great Lakes be finally held in November, as it would make it possible to lay a foundation for constructive cooperation among countries in the region, in the interest of their respective peoples. Darfur was also a matter of grave concern, he said, and the international community must be mobilized behind the African Union in order to dispel that crisis without delay.  Finally, regarding the border dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria, he called upon the United Nations to give its full support to the Secretary-General and use its influence to help both countries implement the decision of the International Court of Justice from 31 January.

TOM R. BUTIME, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uganda, said his country supported the call for enhanced international efforts to build a stronger and sustained anti-terrorist coalition.  Uganda had been fighting a terrorist organization known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) -- based in southern Sudan -- that had killed, maimed and abducted thousands of Ugandans in the northern part of his country.  The Ugandan and Sudanese Governments were cooperating to end that situation and restore peace and stability in the area.  His Government had drawn up a comprehensive Post-Conflict Rehabilitation and Development Programme for Northern Uganda and appealed to its international development partners for support.  The short-term components included resettlement of internally displaced people and rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, as well as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of LRA combatants, who had surrendered, and abducted children, who had been rescued by the Uganda Peoples Defence Force.

While there were positive developments in the various conflict situations in the Great Lakes region, he called upon those groups still outside the peace agreements to cease military operations and join the peace processes.  Welcoming the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers to Burundi, he said that, while the election dates there must change, the elections must be held sooner or later.  Therefore it was important that the international community extend the necessary assistance towards the consolidation of peace, stability, rehabilitation and development of a stable Burundi.  Uganda was also committed to supporting the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He urged all parties in the Government of National Unity to remain committed to the Pretoria Peace Accords and resist any temptation to resume hostilities.

He also called on the Security Council to strengthen the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to consolidate its peacekeeping operations.  A robust MONUC force would be critical for the enforcement of Security Council resolution 1493 (2003) on the arms embargo against militias, as well as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of all armed rebel groups and militias operating in the country.  In order to consolidate the peace efforts, there would be a Great Lakes Regional Conference in November, which he hoped would involve all stakeholders in developing a strategic plan of action on key issues, including regional peace and security, development, post-conflict reconstruction and regional integration.  He believed that that inclusive process would ensure national ownership and commitment to implementation of the recommendations of the international conference on the Great Lakes region.

He said positive progress on meeting the Millennium Development Goals and ensuring the equitable sharing of benefits from globalization would require the General Assembly to focus on:  effective follow-up and implementation of the various plans of action, declarations and strategies resulting from United Nations conferences and summits; restructuring the global trading system; mobilization of adequate resources for diseases and pandemics; strengthening South-South cooperation; and stronger international support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).  The latter reflected Africa’s priorities in addressing development, governance and security challenges on the continent.  Regarding Security Council reform, he said the restructuring should reflect the need for democratization and ensure balanced and equitable geographical representation.  “We believe that Africa should be allocated no less than two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats in the expanded Security Council”, he said.

Rights of Reply

The representative of Eritrea, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia had accused his Government of endangering the peace process.  The peace process had been endangered by the Ethiopian Government’s rejection of the final and binding decision of the Boundary Commission and the repeated calls for compliance to finalize the border.  The Foreign Minister said it had become difficult to formally complete the peace process with regard to the Commission’s decision.  The complications had arisen from Ethiopia’s refusal to cooperate with the Border Commission.  He reminded the Assembly that, according to the Algiers Agreement, both parties should accept the Boundary Commission’s decision.  Also, the Foreign Minister said the decisions of the Commission were only observations, yet the Algiers Agreement had enabled the Commission to make decisions, not just observations.

The Ethiopian Foreign Minister had also accused Eritrea of “misleading the international community”.  In addition, the Foreign Minister stated that “achieving peace and implementing the decision is the responsibility of the two nations”.  While Eritrea agreed with that, it was not solely the responsibility of the two countries.  The African Union and the United Nations were guarantors of the Agreement and, as guarantors, they also had responsibilities.  During the past 12 months, Ethiopia had been in subversion of international law, he said, adding that lawlessness was a highly contagious virus and spread wide and far at great speed and did not recognize boundaries.  Eritrea’s commitment to peace was clear, and his Government had done everything possible to conclude peace through dialogue.

The representative of Indonesia, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said he was responding to an earlier statement by Vanuatu, where that country had once again raised the status of West Papua, which was now an integral part of Indonesia.  The international community had long recognized that legal status, in fact decades ago.  Indonesia would, therefore, uphold the decision taken then and reject the allegations made by Vanuatu today.

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