Sixty-second General Assembly

Plenary

10^th & 11^th Meetings (AM & PM)

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE PUSH PEOPLE TOWARDS DESPAIR,

MAKE THEM EASY PREY FOR EXTREMISTS, GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOLD

 

“Missing opportunities to reach comprehensive solutions -– particularly on the Palestinian question –- is moving people towards the precipice of despair, and making them easy prey for the forces of ignorance and extremism,” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said today, as he called for an end to years of self-serving politics in the region, and declared his commitment to an upcoming United States-sponsored international conference aimed at resurrecting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Mr. Abbas warned the General Assembly’s annual debate that past decades’ experience had shown that the policy of delaying settlement to regional conflicts -– the policy of trying to merely contain rather than resolve tensions and mistrust –- further complicated the situation, which risked escalation into regional war.

He called on the international community to promote understanding, saying that attempts to manufacture a clash among religions and cultures were dangerous.  That was what made the United Nations-led “dialogue of cultures, religions and civilizations” necessary.  “Global wars were wars of interests, not religions or cultures,” he said, asserting that Islam was a humane religion and that portraying it unfairly was a method used by international terrorists to sow mistrust.  “Islam is against extremism; it is against closing inward,” he said.

In the face of all deterrence, hope was still alive.  The Palestinian people were capable of overcoming the situation that extremist forces had pushed them to, he said, adding:  “Indeed, there are forces in the Middle East who represent the desire to move towards democracy.”  Though they worked under extreme difficulties, the “forces of moderation” were committed to creating a new future for the region in which his people would enjoy freedom. 

Pledging the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to the success of a November summit on the peace process convened by United States President George Bush, he said he would present ideas to a popular referendum for Palestinian people, so that they could give their views on the conference outcomes.  Further, aiming to end the “spiral of lost opportunities”, he had met recently with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss key issues, including Jerusalem’s status, refugees, water and security.  Israeli occupation would end once a Palestinian State was created within the framework of the 1967 borders.  That was why he was very committed to the substance of the Washington meeting, and hoped all parties would negotiate.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, President of Malaysia, said that history was marked by a few pivotal moments at which leaders could make fair -- or wrong -- decisions that would impact the destinies of future generations.  “We are now living in such a time.”  There were now two world problems that touched lives without exception:  climate change –- another topic much on the minds of speakers today -- and the increasing discord between cultures. 

The first problem was now affecting the well-being of the entire planet; the second was threatening to tear apart the fabric of peaceful relations.  The misperception in the West that Islam promoted exclusivity and encouraged extremism largely contributed to the misunderstanding between the cultures.  It was also wrong to put the blame on religion as the cause of the national disputes.  Rather, political objectives, such as the repeated use of force by the powerful over the weak to secure strategic or territorial gains, served as the root cause for discord. 

On Iraq, he said that world leaders could not deny most of the country’s problems originated from foreign occupation.  National unity was best achieved through the practice of power sharing in a Government in which ethnic groups of all religious faiths were represented.  Iraqis should be given the full opportunity to determine their own future with international support.  Similarly, the problem of Palestine –- a problem festering for 60 years -– demanded a solution, as it topped the list of grievances the Islamic world held against the West.  There were fresh initiatives to bring Israel and Palestine together for high-level peace talks, but peace could only be achieved if the legitimate rights of peoples were recognized and protected during negotiations. 

Voicing support for efforts to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, he said these initiatives could help to “establish the truth that Islam is a religion which espouses universalism, not exclusivity; tolerance, not bigotry.”  For their part, he added, Muslims had a responsibility to present to the world the true face of Islam.  The teachings of Islam put a very high premium on peace and development.  His country had used the progressive teachings of Islam as a basis for good governance and delivery of benefits throughout society.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abdoul Gheit, said that, after pledging six years ago to work seriously to achieve long-awaited breakthroughs in old crises, the world seemed to have gone astray.  The Assembly had failed to maintain its momentum, as narrow-minded domestic agendas had been imposed.  How could the world have arrived at a point that bordered on a “clash between civilizations, cultures and religions”? he wondered.  Why were some attempting to thrust the holy Islamic faith into the “labyrinth of a limitless clash with the West”?

Getting things back on track was Egypt’s main concern, he said, and directly addressing the chronic conflicts was the “correct way out”.  Foremost among them:  the Arab-Israeli conflict and its crux, the Palestinian question.  While any attempt to achieve stability without serious settlement of those conflicts would not succeed, sustained action for the achievement of a just and comprehensive settlement would contribute to Middle East stability.  The issue required leadership from all parties, and Egypt was constantly ready to work with Palestinians, Israelis, Americans, Europeans, and those who took to heart the interests of Palestinians.

Emile Lahoud, President of Lebanon, recalled that, one year ago, he had spoken on Israel’s atrocious 33-day war and had hoped then that such tragic events would pave the way for activating the Middle East process based on the Arab Peace Initiative.  Regrettably, he said, nothing in the region thrived more than violence.  Calls to stimulate the peace process remained echoless.  Against that backdrop, he said Lebanon awaited the results of the upcoming Middle East peace meeting in Washington. 

For any settlement to the Middle East crisis to survive, it should be lasting, just and global, and call for implementation of all United Nations resolutions pertaining to the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories, he continued.  Paramount to all Arab rights was the right of return of the Palestinian refugees in accordance with resolution 194.  Calls for resettlement in temporary host countries should be countered.  The resettlement of Palestinians was contrary to the expressed will of world legitimacy, and:  “In Lebanon, it will dangerously alter the delicate balance of its existence as a nation, based on coexistence among various sects that enjoyed mutual respect.”

Turning to the upcoming presidential elections, he spoke out against outside interference.  “Unfortunately there have been attempts by international parties to intervene in Lebanon’s domestic affairs in a way that contradicts international norms,” he said.  “Such interference could instigate hatred and increase tension on the Lebanese scene -– a thing which not only might have negative repercussions on upcoming presidential elections, but on the safety of Lebanese as well,” he said, urging the international community to stop foreign intervention in domestic matters.

Many leaders addressed the issue of global warming, including Stephenson King, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, External Affairs, Home Affairs and National Security of Saint Lucia, who said that climate change was also a high priority for his country and urgent, resolute action was required to reverse the situation.  He welcomed the efforts of the United Nations and the Group of Eight industrialized counties to that end.  The issue should be discussed within the appropriate forums in order not to lose sight of the real development-related objectives of small island developing countries.  The largest producers of greenhouse gases should bear the responsibility for the damage being caused and the international community should honour its environmental responsibilities and commitments, he added.

Winston Baldwin Spenser, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said climate change presented a monumental test of the political will and courage of leaders of the most powerful countries.  It also added an extra dimension to the vulnerability of the island States of the Caribbean.  Antigua and Barbuda, as with many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, had had to place greater priority on disaster preparedness, which resulted in additional competition for the already meagre resources of Government budgets.  An increase in the level of international financing for vulnerable countries under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was needed.

He was also among the speakers from the Caribbean drawing attention to the serious health problems plaguing the region, where HIV/AIDS cases were on the rise and where chronic non-communicable diseases had become a major concern.  A recent Summit of Heads of CARICOM on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases had agreed to give full support for initiatives and mechanisms aimed at strengthening regional health institutions through the signing of a declaration.  The Caribbean Community urged the United Nations, through its various agencies, to lend support to its initiatives on controlling heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity and cancer in the region, with a goal of providing quality care and preventive education to 80 per cent of the people with these non-communicable diseases by 2012.

Also participating in the general debate were the Presidents of Marshall Islands and the Philippines.

The Prime Ministers of Samoa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mauritius, Montenegro, Fiji, Cape Verde and Turkey, addressed the meeting, as did the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg and the Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.

Also speaking were the Foreign Ministers of San Marino, Tunisia, Russian Federation, China, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Singapore, Belarus, Jordan, Spain, Republic of Korea, Iceland, Benin, Brunei, Romania, Japan, as was the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria.

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of Cyprus, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Japan.

The General Assembly will continue its general debate Monday, 1 October, at 10 a.m.

Background

The General Assembly reconvened today to continue its general debate.

Statements

EMILE LAHOUD, President of Lebanon, recalled that one year ago, he had spoken on Israel’s atrocious 33 day war and had hoped then that such tragic events would pave the way for activating the Middle East Peace Process based on the Arab Peace Initiative.  Regrettably, he said, nothing in the region thrived more than violence.  Calls to stimulate the peace process remained echoless.

Against that backdrop, he said Lebanon awaited the results of the upcoming Middle East Peace Conference.  For any settlement to the Middle East crisis to survive, it should be lasting, just and global; a viable solution must call for implementation of all United Nations resolutions pertaining to the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories.  Paramount to all Arab rights was the right of return of the Palestinian refugees in accordance with resolution 194.  All calls for their resettlement in their temporary host countries should be countered.  The resettlement of Palestinians was contrary to the expressed will of world legitimacy, as embodied in the General Assembly.  In Lebanon, it would dangerously alter the delicate balance of its existence as a nation, based on coexistence among various sects that enjoyed mutual respect.

Lebanon fully rejected seeing the 2002 Beirut Arab Peace Initiative being emptied of its contents, namely, the exclusion of the right of Palestinians to return, he stressed.  The Initiative carried a realistic solution to the Middle East conflict and its implementation could bring about stability to all parties.

He said the adoption of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) had ended Israel’s aggression against Lebanon, and his country was quick to abide by it.  He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to implementing the resolution, and wondered why the process had not yet moved into the ceasefire phase.  Noting that Israel continued to violate Lebanon’s land, sea and skies, he said there had been over 500 breaches since the passage of 1701.  He called on the international community to remain vigilant against any malignant intents harboured by Israel toward his country.  Lebanese were proud that their national resistance and army had jointly claimed victory over a strong military arsenal that had violated all ethical norms.

He said full implementation of resolution 1701 could happen only when Lebanon: regained its occupied Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba Hills and some northern parts of the Ghajar village; secured the release of Lebanese prisoners from Israeli jails; restored its legitimate rights over its water resources; and received maps of landmines and cluster bomb sites.  He thanked the United Nations for its help in studying maps related to the Shebaa Farms and looked forward to practical measures to end Israeli occupation, and the handing over of those territories and water rights.

He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the implementation of United Nations resolutions.  He had referred to the controversy surrounding the Special Tribunal on Lebanon, established to try the assassins of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, in letters sent to the Secretary-General.  He had asked that copies of that letter be sent to all Security Council Member States and others be kept for reference, as international justice should be reinforced.  Lebanon had sought the whole truth since the first moment of the heinous crime.  An impartial, transparent and just hearing would overcome such controversy.

As Lebanon was about to witness democratic presidential elections, he said international parties had attempted to intervene in Lebanon’s domestic affairs, contradicting international norms.  His country welcomed all foreign assistance, and paid tribute to those countries that had stood by it following last July’s destructive war by Israel.  Foreign aid should be made as a gesture of support to the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty and he urged the international community to stop foreign intervention in domestic affairs.  Recalling the costly price that was paid by Lebanon’s national army, he said real assistance should be given to its army so it could accomplish its security goals.

In a world that witnessed daily bloodshed, he urged delegates not to allow Lebanon to fall, “because the falling apart of Lebanon would mean a collapse of moderation and a victory to those who favour the use of force.”   Lebanon remained a “unique message to the world”, and he called on nations not to recede in front of adversity and to support what was right and just.

KESSAI NOTE, President of the Marshall Islands, said his country had come to the Assembly for generations to discuss issues such as health and education, which were always high priorities for his people.  But, those issues were nothing if steps were not taken against the approaching ecological disaster.  “My people are concerned -– or rather terrified -– with the very issue of our survival.  Will we even exist 50 years from today?”  He called for urgent action on the rising tide of destruction unleashed by global warming to prevent his people becoming “ecological refugees”.  He applauded the Secretary-General’s initiative to convene the High-Level Event on Climate Change, but called for more to be done.  Major industrialized countries should show strong leadership and renew support for the Kyoto Protocol and the Convention on Climate Change.  Specifically, he called on the United States to ratify the Protocol immediately and on the entire international community to help small island developing States in developing and implementing adaptation strategies.

Touching on the fight against terror, he expressed support for the historic United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting the “global scourge” on national, regional and international levels.  Collective efforts on disarmament and non-proliferation should be invigorated to overcome stalemate.  He added that nuclear weapons testing conducted on his country in the past -– 67 atmospheric weapons tests on Bikini Atoll from 1946 to 1958 -– was “a nightmare that continues to haunt my people”.  The Islands were under the care of the United Nations Trusteeship Council when the United States testing was in progress.  He called on the United Nations and its Member States to assist in environmental restoration and in providing for people’s health care needs that were linked to radiation exposure. 

“My people’s survival and well-being also rely on our ocean resources,” he said.  International and regional agreements to protect those resources were encouraging but, again, more needed to be done.  Illegal fishing continued to threaten his country’s major source of livelihood.  The Micronesian Challenge, a joint initiative led by Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, aimed to conserve the biodiversity of the region.  The Challenge was part of a much larger and growing commitment by island nations all over the world to take the international lead in preserving primary ecosystems.  The international community should support the efforts already made and help develop and resource realistic financial plans for implementation. 

Regionally, countries of the Pacific were cooperating closely to ensure effective regional actions on the economy, social issues and the environment, but successful implementation of those actions would require the support and commitment of member countries, regional and international organizations, development partners, and a range of stakeholders.  The international community had played a crucial role in the past in meeting emerging challenges; its presence was still very much needed.

He reiterated his support for Taiwan’s membership to the United Nations and called for reform of the Security Council to include Member States such as Japan.  In June 2006, it had been announced that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) would open a total of 8 new offices in Pacific Island Countries.  He was appreciative of the work under way for the establishment of a joint United Nations presence in his country, and he asked that similar offices be established in the other identified Pacific Island Countries.  “Sustainable development of small island developing States … can only be achieved through a genuine partnership within the international community,” he said in closing.  “Only then, can we realize the commonly shared goal of universal peace and prosperity.”

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, said that her country believed in the power of the global trading system to alleviate poverty and modernize nations through market forces.  That did not mean that it believed that countries like the Philippines were ready to compete head to head in every sector, but it did mean “that we cannot afford to be afraid of globalization”.  By being increasingly connected to the world, the Philippines’ economy had reached a new level of maturity and stability with some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in the past 20 years.  “Six years ago, no one thought we could get more revenues, cut down on tax cheats, strengthen the peso and move the stock market,” she said, adding that no one thought the Philippines could reign in its budget, pay its debts and boost employment, “but we have.”

At the same time as it was growing its economy, the Philippines was also paying vigilant attention to its natural environment and resources.  The Government was developing and promoting its “Green Philippines” agenda, which emphasized a sustainable economic development model that integrated concern for the environment.  She said that many nations, developed and developing, believed that the environment must be sacrificed at the altar of growth.

“We believe otherwise,” she said, noting that the Philippines was planning to “get it right” by introducing new industries that were clean and profitable, including a biofuels industry that promoted energy independence, created jobs and kept the nation clean for future generations.  She added that the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol had allowed countries like the Philippines to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions through private sector initiatives.  At the same time, there was a need to expand the carbon market and to expand international cooperation and financial support to promote strategies to adapt to climate change.

Reiterating her country’s belief in and commitment to the global trading system -– as well as to strengthening regional mechanisms under the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) -– she said that the Doha round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations remained the best option to address poverty and improve livelihoods throughout the world.  Calling for an agreed set of international trade rules, she said that the Doha round must be truly development focused, including through more coherence among global development institutions, such as the World Bank and the UNDP.

She stressed that developed nations were the prime movers of global trade when it suited them, “That’s not right -– nor good -– for our respective economies,” she said.  At the same time, there had been a ray of hope, with developing countries recently declaring that they were willing to maximize flexibilities, in exchange for greater market access.  In the margins of this week’s events, she hoped the contending countries could continue consulting to find the right formula for subsidy cuts and market access that would break the Doha impasse.  “But let me be clear: even as the Philippines works tirelessly to move the talks forward, we are not going to stand by and do nothing,” she said, adding: “For us, its full speed ahead, preferably with Doha, but full speed ahead nevertheless.”

Briefly highlighting her country’s long-standing relationship with the United States and China, she said that relations between nations were not always about trade; they were also about people.  In that regard, she thanked the Secretary-General for supporting the Philippines in hosting a Global Forum on Migration and Development next year, to which she invited all Member States to participate.  Overseas Filipino workers were honoured by the Government and the people for their sacrifice and dedication to their work, family and nations.  While welcoming their contribution, the Philippines was working towards a day when Filipinos no longer needed go abroad for a job –- the day when overseas work was “just another career option”.  Wrapping up her statement, she called on Myanmar to return to the path of democracy and immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to involve all the parties, including the National League for Democracy, in the constitutional process.

TUILAEPA SAILELE MALIELEGAOI, Prime Minister of Samoa, said the High-Level Event on Climate Change underscored two fundamental truths: the solution to climate change was in the hands of Member States, and the United Nations was an indispensable institution for finding solutions to global challenges.  To be truly effective, however, rhetoric would need to be replaced by results.  Climate change crossed borders uninvited and did not discriminate between rich or poor, large or small.  Those who exploited the traditional divide between developed and developing countries, and ideological and political differences, did so conveniently, to mask their unwillingness to be part of the solution to an impending catastrophe.  By working together, the world had the opportunity to stop or even reverse the threat of climate change.  The United Nations was the “last best hope” to provide the political will and necessary commitment to make that happen.

The most powerful world leaders should “lead the charge” to find and implement solutions to climate change.  It was imperative to create a post-2012 climate change agreement.  Nations in leadership roles should also play a primary role in finding solutions to all matters of global concern, such as economic development, peace and security and human rights.  In doing so, they should have the full support of all Member States.  Global long term challenges should be approached collectively and positively within the United Nations framework, led by visionary and far-sighted leaders who would not be deterred from making the right decisions.  That was a great challenge for a world in which countries held unequal resources and national interests often overshadowed global good.

He called for a reform of the United Nations to strengthen the Organization, making it more cost-effective and efficient in responding to the needs of stakeholders.  Security Council and General Assembly membership should be increased to mirror present day realities.  Efforts to streamline the work of United Nations agencies should be encouraged and its presence in the Pacific region heightened.  His country had recently hosted the South Pacific Games, which he said highlighted its ability to work closely with development partners.  Those partnerships had also helped his country graduate from least developed countries status earlier this year.  That promotion did not mean its problems –- a small, isolated economy, lack of natural resources and a propensity to natural disasters –- would disappear.  His country would continue to need the support of its partners to confront the emerging development challenges in the future.

On peace and security, he expressed support for attempts to resume the Middle East Peace Process and the possibility of an independent State for Palestinians.  He supported the new African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and said the international community should consider a more active role in Iraq as well.  His country would continue to contribute to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, as it had in the past, and was committed to assisting in the global fight against terror.  In closing, he reiterated his firm belief that nations in key positions of leadership should lead by example and take action for the ultimate benefit and greater good of the world.

DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, President of Malaysia, said that history was marked by a few pivotal moments at which leaders could make the correct or wrong decisions that would have an impact on the destinies of future generations.  “We are now living in such a time.”  There were now two world problems that touched lives without exception: climate change and the increasing discord between cultures.  The first problem was now globally affecting the well-being of the planet; the second was threatening to tear apart the fabric of peaceful relations.

In December of this year, he said, Indonesia would host the thirteenth conference of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  There, leaders needed to launch the process for negotiations on a post-2012 agreement, and ongoing national or regional initiatives to deal with climate change should not compete with -- rather should complement -- the United Nations framework.  It was also necessary for world leaders to recognize that the poorest countries of the world had the least capacity to adapt to climate change and should, therefore, be apportioned the least responsibility to mitigate its impacts.  A post-2012 agreement required building upon the fundamentals of the Kyoto Protocol; for example, absolute emission reduction targets for developed countries and specific provisions for least developed countries and small island States.

Turning to the discord between Islam and the West, he said the misperception in the West that Islam promoted exclusivity and encouraged extremism largely contributed to the misunderstanding between the cultures.   Malaysia also believed it was wrong to put the blame on religion as the cause of the national disputes, an assertion found in the report of the High-level Group of the Alliance of Civilization.  Rather, political objectives, such as the repeated use of force by the powerful over the weak to secure strategic or territorial gains, served as the root cause for discord. 

He added that, on Iraq, world leaders could not deny most of the country’s problems originated from foreign occupation.  National unity was best achieved through the practise of power-sharing in a government in which ethnic groups of religious faiths were represented and Iraqis should be given the full opportunity to determine their own future with international support.

In a similar vein, the problem of Palestine, he said – a problem festering for 60 years – demanded a solution, as it topped the list of grievances the Islamic world held against the West.  There were fresh initiatives to bring Israel and Palestine together for high-level peace talks, but peace could only be achieved if the legitimate rights of peoples were recognized and protected during negotiations.   Palestine had been partitioned before, that should not happen again.  The single most important issue that stood in the way of peace and fraternity between Islamic and Western countries was Palestine.  Once leaders settled it, greater harmony would exist. 

For its part, he added, Muslims had a responsibility to present to the world the true face of Islam.  The teachings of Islam put a very high premium on peace and development.  His country had used the progressive teachings of Islam as a basis for good governance and delivery of benefits throughout society.

RALPH E. GONSALVES, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, said that recent history had taught that while imperialist unilateralism was a frequent course of action, it was rarely the solution to global problems.  Indeed, the era of “unilateralist misadventure” was in its death throes, and a more modern, multilateral United Nations must seize the day, and fill the vacuum by living up to the noble objectives set out in its Charter.  Such a United Nations should always strive for fairness and view the world through the eyes of the majority of its citizens who were struggling for daily survival, dodging bullets in their backyards, and coaxing meagre livings from exhausted soil.  It should not see the world with the eyes of indifferent diplomats or imperial czars, to whom suffering was a TV event that could be easily erased with the flick of a remote control button. 

He called on all States to work with each other -– through the United Nations -– to solve seemingly intractable problems vexing us all.  “Our problems are largely man-made, so too shall be the solutions,” he said, pointing to global warming as one area where such global cooperation was absolutely necessary.  The Caribbean’s vital banana industry, already buffeted by the winds of iniquitous globalization, had been repeatedly devastated in recent years by increasingly intense hurricanes, “which have placed a once-dominate economic sector on veritable life support”.  That was but one example of the environmental devastation under way in the Caribbean region and others that were home to small island nations.

He said that an indispensable component of the world’s efforts to combat climate change must be the adoption of the Adaptation Fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in order to help face challenges in the African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Pacific States.  That fund would put flesh on the skeletal commitment of the Convention.  That fund should be both a source of assistance for disaster relief, as well as for the technological and infrastructure support needed to adapt to climate change.

Turning to other troubling issues, he called on the Assembly President to lend urgency to “what had been the UN’s heartless neglect, in practical terms, of the genocide campaign being waged in Darfur”.  While recent developments, including the Security Council’s approval of the deployment of a hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force had been somewhat encouraging, no one should be deluded; the force on the ground was insufficient, its mandate ambiguous and its emerging presence years too late.  “For too long we have looked the other way.  And we in the UN have caused the world to wonder about the relative worth of a Sudanese or Rwandan versus an Israeli, Chinese, American or European life,” he said, reiterating that what was happening in Darfur was genocide and that the United Nations must remain committed to alleviating the suffering of the men, women and children of that conflict-torn region of Sudan.

While it was necessary to remain vigilant to the scourges of war, terrorism, poverty and climate change, there were other issues deserving equal consideration, namely the spread of disease.  He said that the Caribbean region currently faced the worst epidemic of chronic, non-communicable disease in the Americas.  In 2004, the six leading causes of death in the region were: heart disease; cancer; diabetes; stroke; injuries; and hypertension –- each of which claimed more regional lives than HIV/AIDS.  That looming health crisis, though largely self-inflicted, had an obvious global component as globalization had spawned a “cultural hegemony and homogeneity” that attempted to create a standardized population of global purchasers and consumers.

The costs associated with that epidemic were staggering, he said, and his Government had “declared war” on chronic non-communicable diseases.  Trying to head off further shocks to the country’s already over-taxed health care system, the Government was in the initial stages of developing a comprehensive strategy to create a “wellness revolution” among the wider citizenry.  The programme would be part of a broader Caribbean Community-backed strategy, he said, calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to partner with countries in the region to further identify ways to combat those debilitating diseases.

NAVINCHANDRA RAMGOOLAM, President of Mauritius, said international peace and security was the bedrock of the United Nations and, despite its many accomplishments, it still had much more to do.  A trail of violence and death continued to plague the Middle East.  To give peace a chance, the international community should redouble efforts to find a peaceful, holistic solution to the question of Palestine.  He reaffirmed his support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian State.  In Darfur, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation was a positive step forward, he added.  He recommended a similar commitment in Somalia.  Terrorism was an international threat which should also be tackled by a united international front and a more effective and efficient mechanism should be implemented to deal with the financiers of terrorist organizations.

“The twenty-first century is a world of interdependence with the national frontiers between peoples and countries falling faster than we had envisaged,” he said.  Mauritius was a multiracial and multicultural society and thus welcomed the upcoming High-Level Dialogue on Inter-religious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace.  His country was also a strong advocate of human rights and had implemented several initiatives to ensure its compliance with fundamental rights and freedoms and international norms.  The current situation in Myanmar was an example of a gross violation of those fundamental rights.  Legitimate stirrings of the people’s will were being brutally repressed.  Instead of rhetoric, the Assembly should support the people of Myanmar by imposing strict sanctions against the military junta.  “I am proud to say that in 1997 as Prime Minister, I took the decision to stop buying rice flour from Myanmar,” he said.  “I applaud the decision of the President of the United States to apply sanctions.  All of us should do the same.”

On the question of climate change, he congratulated the Secretary-General on his initiative, but stressed that any global solution to climate change should avoid making those countries bearing the least responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions pay the price on the same scale as other countries.  “Common but differentiated responsibilities” was the correct approach.  Small island developing States faced great challenges in adapting to climate change, including inadequate technical and institutional capacity and limited financial resources.  He called for further implementation of previously created environmental programmes and a new fund specifically for small island States. 

Turning to the Millennium Development Goals, he said his country was on track to meet all Goals, but expressed regret that most African countries could not say the same.  In an effort to alleviate and eventually eliminate poverty in its subregion, his country would host, jointly with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), an International Conference on Poverty Alleviation and Development next year.  He called for a new global strategy for development with greater coherence between international trading, monetary and financial systems -– “globalization with a human face”.  He added that the Millennium Goals would never be achieved as long as the HIV/AIDS pandemic continued to rage. 

He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the United Nations, but joined the call for its reform.  In particular, the Security Council should be reformed to include two permanent and five non-permanent African seats, a permanent seat for India, and for Latin America and the Caribbean.  He closed on the question of Mauritius sovereignty over Tromelin and the Chagos Archipelago.  He said his country was striving to reach an amicable agreement with France and the United Kingdom, “but we cannot compromise on our territorial integrity and on sovereignty over those islands”.

WINSTON BALDWIN SPENCER, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said the time had come for multilateralism as the preferred means for effecting international peace, security, and human development.  Though a few dominant countries hesitated on relinquishing control, there was a role for all nations, large and small, in correcting systemic imbalances that have hindered such things as the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, international trade, and other agreed objectives.  Those imbalances have kept millions locked in poverty and a state of insecurity, because they remained under-represented.

The Prime Minister continued, saying climate change presented a monumental test of the political will and courage of leaders of the most powerful countries.  It also added an extra dimension to the vulnerability of the island States of the Caribbean.  Antigua and Barbuda, as with many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, have had to place greater priority on disaster preparedness, which has resulted in additional competition for the already meagre resources of government budgets.  An increase in the level of international financing for vulnerable countries under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change was needed.

In addition to the cost of climate change, the proliferation of drug-related violent crime, he said, had forced Caribbean countries to pay a high price to protect their own nations and those in the North, where most drug shipments travel.  He urged the United Nations to provide increased assistance in combating drug trafficking and asked that large countries cease the practice of deporting drug criminals.  That practice dropped graduates of metropolitan criminal systems into vulnerable Caribbean societies from which they had long been exiled –- in effect a “monstrous assault” in several States.

Related to drug crime, Antigua and Barbuda reiterated its call for strengthening and implementing the various United Nations treaties on small arms and light weapons.  The scale and scope of the disruption and destruction caused by the proliferation of small arms in the hands of unemployed youth in the Caribbean was tremendous.  Developing States, which produced no weapons, were confronted by guns manufactured in countries that failed to control the gun trade –- and appeared untroubled by the ease with which their weapons of death crossed international borders.

On another note, the prime minister said this year, along with CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda held activities to commemorate the bicentenary anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.  CARICOM also led an initiative to have the anniversary observed at the United Nations.  Focus on that issue had given Caribbean nations and the world the opportunity to make progress in repairing the damage caused by 500 years of slavery and colonialism.  Antigua and Barbuda also called on the United Nations to put reparations on its agenda, in order to hold the international community accountable for that crime against humanity.

Finally, although people in the Caribbean continued to grapple with the increase in HIV/AIDS cases, chronic non-communicable diseases had become a major concern.  A recent summit of heads of CARICOM on chronic non-communicable diseases, held in Trinidad and Tobago, agreed to give full support for initiatives and mechanisms aimed at strengthening regional health institutions through the signing of a Declaration.  CARICOM urged the United Nations, through its various agencies, to lend support to its initiatives on controlling heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity and cancer in the region, with a goal of providing quality care and preventive education to 80 per cent of the people with these non-communicable diseases by 2012.

ŽELJKO ŠTURANOVIĆ, Prime Minister of Montenegro, said multilateralism provided a framework for choosing democratic, development and cultural options that could most effectively respond to major challenges, and Montenegro stood ready to participate in making those principles a reality.  His country joined the reform process taking place under the auspices of the United Nations, and was conscious of its obligations in respecting the international legal order.

Regional cooperation was an inseparable part of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and the cornerstone of Montenegro’s foreign policy, he said.   Montenegro and the Western Balkans clearly had a European future and he supported the efforts of its neighbours in both adopting and implementing European standards.  Noting that a stabilization and association agreement would be signed in mid-October, representing the first contractual relationship between Montenegro and the European Union, he said such an accord would move Montenegro into an enhanced phase of its relations.   Montenegro’s commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic integration had been reaffirmed in all strategic documents adopted after the restoration of independence.

He highlighted development processes taking place in Montenegro, including the expansion of an open market economy, changing of ownership structures and public sector reform.  He took full responsibility for building an environment that guaranteed the rule of law and respect for human, minority and religious rights.  In becoming independent, Montenegro had taken charge of its integration and its responsibility for preserving regional peace and stability, he explained.  In that context, he believed that direct negotiations started today on the future status of Kosovo would bear fruit, and strongly supported the negotiating process.  Talks should bring about a lasting solution that would contribute to regional stability.

Taking up climate change, he said that without a common approach, there could be no right response.  “No one has the right to remain indifferent before this challenge,” he said.  Climate change had negatively affected Montenegro, notably with the rising level of the Adriatic Sea, and his Government had endeavoured to ensure a more humane environment for posterity, particularly through ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.  He welcomed United Nations efforts on the issue, expecting that they would significantly contribute to the success of the Bali process in December, which, in turn, should bring about solutions associated with the post-2012 goals.

Turning to United Nations reform, he touched on the Organization’s important role in the world’s hot spots, highlighting that its contribution in Darfur, for example, demonstrated its ability to take on the role it deserved in the contemporary world.  Thus, the modalities of reform should result in a more coherent global institution.  Efficient coordination of the main United Nations bodies was vital, particularly of the General Assembly, and he called for result-oriented reform of that primary decision-making organ.  That also applied to Economic and Social Council and Security Council reform, he continued, urging equitable representation of the Eastern European Group in the latter body.  Efficient cooperation with the United Nations was crucial for Montenegro, he added, underscoring the country’s interest in the “One UN” programme.

On development, he said Montenegro looked forward to the High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development and the successful conclusion of the Doha trade round, underscoring that his Government would continue activities to fully implement the Millennium Development Goals.  On terrorism, he called for agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.   Montenegro would continue to demonstrate its full and unequivocal compliance with its international obligations, particularly its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, contributing to the rule of law and the completion strategy.  His Government would continue to build policy on the basis of principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and saw the United Nations as the most important forum for achieving progress.

JOSAIA V. BAINIMARAMA, Prime Minister and Commander of the Military Forces of Fiji, said that his nation was in a “deep rut” and needed the international community’s understanding and support if it was to be able to move forward.  He acknowledged that the Assembly might see him as merely a “military leader who removed an elected Government”, and he would not begrudge delegations for their opinion because those were the facts.  But he stressed that the removal of the former Government had been taken “with extreme reluctance”.

At the same time, when the military intervened last December, Fiji’s overall governance structure had regressed disastrously, and the international community needed to understand that when Fiji had become independent in 1970, it had inherited an institutional infrastructure that could potentially have evolved and further strengthened to allow democracy to take root.  He said that at that time, Fiji’s future looked promising, and in terms of per capita income, it had been on a par with Malaysia and Thailand.  But what had begun with so much potential for outward growth had quickly turned inward.  Fiji’s rather shaky foundation –- a “race-based Constitution,” which rigidly compartmentalized its communities – led to a “democracy” marked by adversarial, divisive and race-based politics.

Fiji became a fractured nation and its people were not allowed to share a common national identity.  Of the two major communities, he said that Fijians, who desired protection of their status as indigenous people, had been instilled with fear.  Indo-Fijians, on the other hand, felt alienated and marginalized, as second-class citizens in their own country.  He said that successive military coups in 1987 had been motivated by an “ethno-nationalist, racial supremacy agenda”. The political, communal and military leaders of those events carried a very heavy burden for the suffering they had caused, he stressed.

He said that Fiji had suffered another setback in 2000, when yet another group of ethno-nationalist opportunists backed by a small errant group from inside the national military force overthrew the Government of the day.  As Commander of the military forces at the time, he did not condone nor support that coup, but had in fact led the effort to restore order and hand the executive authority back over to civilian hands.  General peace at that time had hinged on several conditions being met, including that the interim Government was to hold elections in 2001; that all the perpetrators of the 2000 coup would be prosecuted; and that events would be renounced as racially motivated.

Sadly, Fiji’s attempt to pull itself back from of the brink of chaos had been short-lived, as overall governance had taken a dramatic turn for the worse, he continued.  That downturn was particularly evident in the politicization of the prison authorities and criminal justice system.  Key institutions were also weakened as deep pockets of corruption and fiscal mismanagement began to take hold.  Poverty increased and the racial divide in the country began to widen.  He added that the perpetrators of the 2000 coup were prematurely discharged from prison and sympathisers had been appointed to key Government positions.

The subsequent elections in 2006 had not been credible, characterized as they were by massive fraud and vote rigging.  At the same time, Fiji’s military was monitoring external threats to the country’s sovereignty.  Under the current Constitution, the military had been charged with national security as well as for the well-being of the people.  “Under the circumstances, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, under my stewardship, could not possibly see such an unacceptable situation unfold without seeking to redress it,” he said, recounting his protracted efforts throughout to engage with the previous Government.  Those attempts had been rejected and a former high chief had ordered him to be removed, and ultimately, eliminated.

It had been with utmost reluctance that the military had removed the Government, under his command, this past December.  There had been critics of that decision, and in response, he would stress that Fiji had a “coup culture” –- a history of civilian or military uprisings executed in the interests of a few and based on nationalism and greed.  To remove that culture and to commit to democracy and the rule of law, policies that promoted racial supremacy had to be removed once and for all.  Within one month of the removal of the previous Government, the President had resumed his constitutional duties and on 5 January 2007, had appointed an interim Government, mandated to govern until new authorities could be elected.

“We are resolved to take the measures necessary to convene free and fair elections as soon as practicably possible,” he said, stressing that while there had been steady progress in a number of areas, the situation was complex and deep-rooted.  There were no “quick fixes” and the country was now at a critical crossroads.  The new Government was, therefore, seeking constructive dialogue and engagement with the international community and its development partners.  It needed support to develop a political and governance framework that was truly democratic, accountable and inclusive.

For its part, the interim Government was launching a People’s Charter for Change and Progress, with the full engagement of the people, to, among other things, restore stability, build confidence, strengthen institutions, and carry out major reforms.  He said that the Charter had been widely distributed throughout the country.  In the absence of an elected parliament, the interim Government was considering putting the draft people’s Charter to a referendum to get the mandate of the people for fundamental changes, including to the country’s Constitution.

He called on the powerful States in the Pacific region that had imposed sanctions on Fiji to consider that the actions the military had taken were aimed at protecting democracy.  Those punitive measures, such as travel bans, and which were targeted against “any person appointed by the interim Government,” were actually undermining efforts to rebuild the nation on a strong foundation.  Such hypocrisy was clearly undermining Fiji’s attempts to practice good governance.  Fiji would call on all States and development partners to understand that the country’s capacities and institutions had been severely eroded over the years.  “On all this, we desperately need help, not a closing of doors,” he said.

STEPHENSON KING, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, External Affairs, Home Affairs and National Security of Saint Lucia, began his address on a sad note, informing the Assembly of the death of the person who had brought independence to the country.  Its first and latest Prime Minister, Sir John George Melvin Compton, passed away shortly before the sixty-second session of the General Assembly began.  The new Prime Minister pledged to continue his predecessor’s work of “aiding the cause that needs assistance -– fighting the wrong that needs resistance”.

Turning to the situation within his country, he said a significant part of its journey towards the realization of the Millennium Goals had been achieved.  Unfortunately, there was mixed progress regionally and internationally.  Reflection and an honest assessment of the successes and failures so far would help ensure the Goals were achieved by the projected year 2015.  On a national level, his country had attained universal primary education and introduced a programme of universal access to free secondary education.  Health-related indicators were also improving and a universal programme of free health care was being implemented.  HIV/AIDS was still a major challenge, but was being addressed nationally and regionally through education, early detection and treatment programmes, and the provision of free or subsidized anti-retroviral drugs.

He thanked development partners for the financial and technical assistance that had helped them achieve their development goals.  Those partners included both developed and developing countries.  South-South cooperation was one of the main drivers of development effectiveness in his region and he welcomed United Nations support for strengthening those mechanisms which would be complementary to North-South cooperation.  He reiterated his commitment to the ideals of regionalism and a deeper integration process within the region.

The international community continued to assist and sustain a democracy in Haiti.  He had hoped for a longer mandate period for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), but accepted the decision of the Security Council.  The world should remain firmly committed to Haiti and should release pledged development resources to address the numerous challenges facing the country.  Overall, the international community had the responsibility to make good on all their commitments for international development.  Though he recognized the contributions of some developed country partners, he lamented the decline in development assistance in 2006.  Development financing was increasingly subject to conditions imposed by donors and failed to meet and support nationally defined priorities of developing countries.  The Doha Review Conference should address those issues.  He joined the call for United Nations reform, specifically the expansion of the Security Council and membership for Taiwan. 

Climate change was a high priority for his country.  Urgent, resolute action was required to reverse the situation.  He welcomed the efforts of the United Nations and the Group of Eight.  The issue should be discussed within the appropriate forums in order not to lose sight of the real development-related objectives of small island developing countries.  The largest producers of greenhouse gases should bear the responsibility for the damage being caused and the international community should honour its environmental responsibilities and commitments.  Economic and trade policy reform was necessary as well.  A “one size fits all” approach was inappropriate and unrealistic.  The mindless application of inappropriate rules had caused much pain among populations who were being challenged to meet the Millennium Goals.  He closed with a look towards the future and the children of tomorrow affected by the policy decisions of today.  “We hope that the international community will come to the aid of all those who recognize the future in children, providing for them the enabling environment for advancement through opportunity, safety, love and peace.

MAHMOUD ABBAS, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and President of the Palestinian Authority, expressed confidence in the role of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, given their historic responsibilities with respect to the Palestinian question.  The institution had continued to reaffirm the national, stable right of Palestinians, and to guarantee support for them, be it in the political, economic or humanitarian realms.  He drew attention to exceptional work done by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to preserve the future for generations of refugees and ensure basic services.  He commended other institutions that had upheld basic humanitarian rights, supported education and contributed to national institution building.  He thanked the Secretary-General for placing the Palestinian question at the head of priorities for his actions, and emphasized his creativity in seeking a means to re-launch the peace process.

Regional confrontation, wars and conflicts –- and their tragic repercussions –- were the primary threat to global peace, he said, noting that rapid intervention from the international community was needed.  As experience over the past decades had shown, the policy of delaying settlement to regional conflicts –- the policy aimed at containing them -– further complicated the situation, which risked exploding into regional war.

Hope, however, was still alive, and his people were capable of overcoming the situation that extremist forces had pushed them to, he continued.  Indeed, there were forces in the Middle East who represented the desire to move towards democracy.  Though they worked in extreme difficulties, they were committed to creating a new future for the region in which his people would enjoy freedom.  There could be no doubt that defending Islam -– a human religion -– was their responsibility.  Islam was a religion of openness to the world, and it was important to preserve shared values.

He called on the international community to work for understanding, as attempts to create conflict among religions, cultures and civilizations were a primary danger, and a method used by international terrorism.  That was why the “dialogue of cultures, religions and civilizations” was necessary, he said.  Global wars were “wars of interests”, not religions and cultures.  That reality was only one fragment of the overall picture.  Missing opportunities to reach comprehensive solutions, particularly on the Palestinian question, was moving people towards the “precipice of despair”, and making them easy prey for the forces of ignorance and extremism.

Was it not time, he asked, to move seriously toward negotiating an end to Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories since 1967, and thereby achieve the vision of two States?  Was it not time to create a Palestinian State, whose capital would be East Jerusalem, and end the suffering that had existed for six decades, to end the policies of colonial expansionism, and building checkpoints around cities, towns and refugee camps?  He did not want to return next year asking the same questions.  There was no obstacle to holding the upcoming peace talks, as his Arab brothers had shown their true readiness to create a just and lasting peace for the region.  Israeli occupation would end once a Palestinian State was created within the framework of the 1967 borders.  That was why he was very committed to the substance of that meeting, and hoped all parties would negotiate.

Acknowledging that no political leader knew the solution for Palestinians and Israelis, he said such a solution would be one that emerged from the various General Assembly resolutions; efforts of United States President George W. Bush, who had presented the solution of two States; the “road map” outlined in Security Council resolution 1515 (2003); the Arab Initiative; and other plans presented since 2000.

He had met with Israeli Government Head Ehud Olmert to discuss issues to end the “spiralling of lost occasions”, and settle Jerusalem’s status, refugees, water security, and other issues.  He reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s readiness to find a comprehensive agreement on all issues.  He would present ideas to a popular referendum for Palestinian people, so that they could give views on the conference outcomes.

Moreover, he reaffirmed he would deal with the overthrow events that had taken place in the Gaza Strip, based on fundamental laws, in order to preserve democracy.  Attempts from groups to impose their will by force were wrong.  Some had attempted in the past to transform the Palestinian issue into a map to serve regional interests or to achieve expansionist goals.  Palestinians had devoted their lives to activism, achieving independence and rejecting hegemony, and would not allow manipulation of their national destiny.

He had come today, he said, representing an exhausted people who had suffered under occupation.  Reiterating words of former Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat that “the olive branch would not fall from my hands”, he spoke for those trapped in Iraqi and Syrian borders, and thousands living as refugees in their own land.  The voice of peace was stronger than any other voice in his country.  He hoped that peace would come to those people who bled daily, including his Iraqi brothers and the Lebanese.  He called for building a stable world in which the rights to life and self determination were respected.

JOSE MARIA PEREIRA NEVES, President of the Republic of Cape Verde, said while he commended the United Nations for choosing climate change for the theme of the Assembly, many countries in the South had been warning for decades about the phenomenon.  Drought and destruction in West Africa has devastated the economic and social life of the populations.  Climate change had a similar devastating effect on small island States, through drought and desertification.  “If the projections on the sea level rise prove to be true, we will be facing a disaster of unimaginable proportions,” he said.  Cape Verde had faced drought, desertification and dramatic water shortages for three decades.  Indeed, Cape Verde was a case of convergence and concentration of the negative effects of climate change, he said. 

Climate change also undermined Governments and had the potential to undo years of development.  The United Nations has had a leading role in the past regarding the problem of climate change, and he hoped that the Bali conference would set new parameters based on the principle of equity.  Further, it was imperative to Cape Verde to resume and implement the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation aimed at accelerating the application of the Barbados Plan of Action for small island developing States.

Despite its less advantaged position in the world, Cape Verde has developed strongly since independence in 1975, he said.  It was in that context that Cape Verde’s graduation –- or withdrawal -- from the group of least developed countries as of 2008 should be considered.  Through daring strategies, Cape Verde was prepared to move through the transition period, and asked for a strong partnership from the international community.  He drew attention to the Declaration of the Transition Support Group and the report that his country would be submitting to the Secretary-General.  It was also high time to shift from the discourse to the practice of ownership, in accordance with the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness.

He said that, along with climate change as a threat to human security, there was also terrorism, trafficking and organized crime.  Those threats endangered all humanity equally.  A multilateral perspective was necessary, in order for a robust and effective response to the issues.  The future of world security and development entailed strengthening the United Nations.  He wished the Secretary-General’s success in strengthening the Organization through moderation and democratization.

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Prime Minister of Turkey, opened by congratulating Mr. Kerim and Ban Ki-Moon, and by calling for effective global cooperation to find common solutions to global problems.  In order to achieve global harmony, the United Nations must continue to carry out major structural reforms.  Turkey could play a major role in that process, and, hopefully Turkey, which had not sat on the Security Council for almost 50 years, would be successful in its bid for a seat on the Council in 2008.  Turkey’s unique European and Asian identity, as well as its record of working for peace and stability, would make the country particularly qualified for the position.

He said that Turkey was actively participating in peacekeeping efforts at the regional and global levels.  Together with Spain, it had co-sponsored the Alliance of Civilizations initiative under the auspices of the Secretary General.  Turkey’s highest priority, though, was achieving stability within its own region.  Stronger relations with Greece was a high priority.  Likewise, a unified and democratic Iraq was of key importance.  Turkey continued to cooperate with the Iraqi Government and to participate in the “Neighbouring Countries of Iraq” platform, launched upon Turkey’s initiative, and expanded at the meeting held at Sharm-El Sheikh.  The next meeting of the “Expanded Neighbouring Countries” would take place in November.

Tensions in the Middle East was another source of instability with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict the crux of all ills in there, he said.  The political rift in Palestine, between Hamas and Fatah, had further complicated the issue.  A two-State solution, agreed through negotiation, was the means to peace, and Turkey was prepared to support all parties to the peace process through any means necessary.  His country was further willing to continue facilitating dialogue in Lebanon, and to contribute to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  Afghanistan was another important conflict in the area, and Turkey remained committed to maintaining peace and security there.  Turkey had twice taken the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).  It was also working towards solutions to the “frozen conflicts”, which continued to jeopardize regional stability in the South Caucasus region.  Also, his country was committed to finding peace in Kosovo, and, it was considering participating in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

He said that climate change required urgent collective action, and everyone must assume their fair share of responsibility for that threat.  The developing world, which contributed the least to global warming, would suffer the most.  It was incumbent, therefore, on all to assist those countries in overcoming the challenges.  Turkey provided $1.7 billion in development aid to the developing world in 2006, and this summer, it hosted the Least Developed Countries Ministerial Conference.  His country was committed to peace and development in Africa, through the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency in Ethiopia, Sudan and Senegal.  It was also expanding its cooperation with South Asia, the Far East and Pacific region, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Turkey condemned all acts of terrorism, he said.  Calling it a “scourge that recognizes no national boundaries”, he stressed the particular importance of preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.  It, thus, supported all United Nations efforts in that area.

He said his country continued to seek a settlement to the Cyprus problem through the United Nations, which was the sole platform for a solution.  Greek Cypriots had rejected the Comprehensive Settlement Plan of 2004, which the Turkish side had accepted.  The Greek Cypriots had also rejected an offer by President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to resume substantial negotiations aimed at a settlement by the end 2008.  International support to encourage the Greek Cypriot side to be “more forthcoming in this regard” was needed.  Restrictions on Turkish Cypriots, which had “no legal or moral premise,” must be lifted, with the urgent help of the international community.

FIORENZO STOLFI, Head of Government and Minister for Foreign and Political Affairs and Economic Planning of San Marino, expressed his deep concern at the latest events in Myanmar and his solidarity with the victims’ families.

He said San Marino believed in the progressive renewal of United Nations bodies, and was determined to make heard its voice on the main challenges of today.  In that context, cooperation among small countries could deliver an effective message of multilateral cooperation.  An example of San Marino’s cooperation was its commitment, along with a group of other small European countries, to a UNICEF project against HIV/AIDS in Gabon.

San Marino supported any call at the national or international level that entailed a moral and civil commitment to affirming specific ideological and cultural identities, he said.  In that spirit, the country was committed to promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a fundamental instrument for preventing conflicts arising from intolerance.  During its Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May, San Marino had organized high-level meetings aimed at fostering dialogue among cultures and religions.  The outcome document adopted had marked a significant moment in the Council’s process towards developing intercultural dialogue in Europe.

Detailing other involvement in promoting those issues, he said San Marino’s Permanent Mission in New York had recently organized a “dialogue between religions”, with more than 70 countries in attendance.  Starting next year, he would coordinate Council of Europe meetings on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue and, next week, he would participate in the High-level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace.

On climate change, he called on countries to take action and share strategies.   San Marino was determined progressively to accede to major instruments adopted in the United Nations framework and domestically the country was preparing legislation to promote new technologies based on renewable energy sources.

Turning to other matters, he referred to the Millennium Development Goals, saying he was ready to recognize fully the fundamental rights of the most vulnerable social groups, and highlighted the value of United Nations action favouring social policies for persons with disabilities.   San Marino would soon sign the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Regarding United Nations reform, he said the Organization must revitalize its main bodies through progressive adjustment, particularly the General Assembly, as it was the main decision-making body.  Hopefully the Assembly would commit itself to implementing its resolutions.  There was a need to reach the broadest possible political agreement on Security Council reform.  San Marino maintained complete confidence in the long-term effectiveness in the United Nations system, and urged States to make political and ideological contributions through concrete proposals.

JEAN ASSELBORN, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, said that nothing illustrated better what was at stake globally than the high-level event on climate change earlier in the week.  To solve the problem, it was essential to launch successful negotiations on a viable post-Kyoto regime.  There was a great risk that the countries that had contributed the least to environmental problems would be the ones to bear the heaviest consequences.  That was a political and moral problem as well as, at its essence, a question of development, as poor countries would end up suffering more. 

The upcoming year would be crucial in development, he continued.  The 2008 high-level meeting on the implementation of the Millennium Goals would be a good opportunity to take stock of what had and hadn’t been achieved and to re-launch efforts.  Climate change, natural disasters and humanitarian action were intrinsically linked.  Solutions required a reframing of the problem with the correct political, socio-economic and cultural context.  To that end, his Government had developed a new strategy for managing humanitarian crises which included emergency aid, rehabilitation and reconstruction, and crisis prevention.  Referring to specific crisis and conflict zones throughout the world, he stressed the need for all to be guided by the fundamental idea that development, peace and security, and human rights were inseparable and mutually reinforcing.  He took the opportunity to express his support for the people of Myanmar who had protested peacefully, only to be met with violence.  He also expressed his support for initiatives to abolish the death penalty worldwide and to a peaceful solution to the question of Kosovo. 

On disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, he advocated for a strengthening of the non proliferation regime.  Other arms with destabilizing effects, such as light weapons and munitions, should also be included in future disarmament treaties.  His country was currently working on a bill to ban the manufacture, storage and use of such weapons.  He added that the Iranian issue was of particular concern to him.  Despite moves in the right direction, Iran had not taken the necessary measures to bring itself into conformity with Security Council resolutions.  He appealed to them to do so immediately.

He joined the call for United Nations reform, specifically the expansion of the Security Council to include smaller States.  He also expressed his wish for his country to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the term 2013-2014.  In reforming the Organization, it was important to remember that success would undoubtedly translate into a win-win situation for donor countries, but the true test of success would be if recipient nations came out winners as well.  A failure of reform would likely marginalize the system even more over the long term.  Effective multilateralism was still a great hope for populations aspiring for a more prosperous and peaceful world and they shouldn’t be disappointed.  He ended with a quote by the Roman philosopher Seneca:  “It isn’t because it’s difficult that we don’t dare, it’s because we don’t dare that it’s difficult.”

ABDELWAHEB ABDALLAH, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, praised Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for his commitment to reforming and modernizing the United Nations.  Further reforms were necessary to adapt the United Nations to a new, international reality.  In that way, new mechanisms of action allow the achievement of collective solutions to common challenges.  Tunisia itself had already launched international initiatives, some of which had been adapted by the United Nations, including a World Solidarity Fund.  Further, his country had been calling attention to the dangers of terrorism since the early 1990s and today reiterated its calling for an international conference under the auspices of the United Nations to create an international code of conduct for the prevention of terrorism.   

Climate Change was a key concern, a “common challenge that threatens all countries in the world without exception”, he said.  Tunisia had called for a ministerial conference in November to discuss climate change in Africa and the Mediterranean.  While climate change was a global issue, which required the urgent attention of the international community, the issue was of particular importance in Africa, as that area suffered most from environmental changes.

In the political sphere, he said, the struggle of the Palestinian people continued to take centre stage, and it was necessary for the international community, in particular the Quartet, to intensify their efforts to revive the peace process and to convene an international peace conference.  In Iraq, it was necessary for regional and international players to help the Iraqi people restore their security, economic and humanitarian situations, through the achievement of a consensual political settlement.  And in Lebanon, he urged dialogue in order to “prevent the scourge of dissension” in the country.

Domestically, Tunisia continued to carry out major legal and institutional reforms, in an effort to “disseminate the culture of Human rights” and enhance the building of democracy.  Tunisia’s reform process, begun in 1987, had improved the quality of life for many in the country, allowing the achievement of many Millenium Development Goals.  Looking beyond its own borders, Tunisia wished to expand regional and subregional economic cooperation, to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the Countries of the South.  Increased aid, through the World Solidarity Fund and the United Nations Development Programme, were needed to further development, and the international community needed to increase its efforts to allow all people of the world, especially the least developed, to benefit from the digital revolution through effective implementation of the 2005 World Summit in the Information Society.

Tunisia continued to seek strong partnerships in the Arab world, in the African continent, and in the larger Mediterranean.  Tunisia was working together with the other countries of the Maghreb to advance the construction of the Maghreb Arab Union (UMA) and to enhance the effectiveness of Arab common action, in particular to benefit the Palestinian and Lebanese causes.  Tunisia has also been acting to enhance its relations with African countries, and has contributed to the African Union and to peace efforts on the African continent.  Tunisia was also active in the Euromediterranean cooperation process, and had welcomed the initiative launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to establish a Mediterranean Union.

He closed by reiterating Tunisia’s “constant faith” in, and support for, the principles and objectives of the United Nations.  The country would take the chairmanship of the next session of the Conference on Disarmament and determined to work towards a “global culture of peace”.

SERGEY LAVROV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said the conflict range that was expanding in international politics through regional crises, terrorism, and disarmament stagnation jeopardized international stability, diverted resources, and called into question sustainable economic growth throughout the world.  Such growth, however, was the fundamental goal, as poverty and economic backwardness expanded the breeding grounds for extremism.

On the other hand, he said, recent developments had shown that an essentially new geopolitical situation had been developing – one that was primarily defined by emerging multipolarity.  Today, no nation could be expected to cope with global challenges single-handedly.  The world needed a collective leadership of major States that represented geographical and “civilizational” dimensions.  The basis for such an informal mechanism could only be provided by the United Nations -- one that was further adapted to modern global realities.  Also necessary were universal regulatory principles to ensure predictability and confidence in international affairs.  Much more remained to be done to improve United Nations interaction with regional organizations.

Regarding trade, he said his country was actively signing and using regional trade agreements to achieve mutual liberalization of trade.  The country also planned to submit to the Assembly a draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and Eurasian Economic Commonwealth, aimed to facilitate the timely realization of the Millennium Development Goals.  Seven years after the Millennium Summit, many developing countries, particularly the least developed ones, still remained far behind in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  Ensuring sustainable socio-economic development in all regions of the world was a “sure remedy” against threats to peace and security.

He stressed a pressing need to “use any means available” to strengthen the Organization’s leading role in fighting terrorism, based on a comprehensive framework, including the Global Counter-terrorism Strategy, adopted last year.  Efforts to resolve regional conflicts and urgent social and economic problems should form part of the efforts to counteract terrorism.  Iraq, especially, required a new plan to ensure security and reach national reconciliation, and he called on the Secretary-General to take an active role in that issue, given the additional United Nations powers in Iraqi settlement. 

Next on the agenda, he said, was an early solution of the Palestine problem based on the “two States” concept.  That goal could be advanced through a representative international conference preceded by thorough preparation.  The United States’ initiative to convene a multiparty meeting in November was a step in that direction.  Concerning Kosovo, settling the problem was “only possible within the framework of international law based on negotiations”; unilateral steps would not lead to a lasting peace and would create the risk of destabilization in the Balkans and elsewhere. 

Turning to Iran, he said that the goal of nuclear non-proliferation was an “absolute priority”, but leaders should not ignore engaging Iran in constructive efforts to resolve international issues without barring the country from the peaceful use of nuclear energy.  Urgent steps were needed to strengthen the non-proliferation regime, while providing legitimate access of all the States to the benefits of the peaceful use of nuclear energy.  The possibility of deploying weapons in space presented a serious threat, which could put in danger all States, without exception.  His country consistently opposed deploying in space weapons of any kind, and he called on the international community to conclude an agreement to that effect.

YANG JIECHI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, said that, despite a growing trend towards peace, development and cooperation, the world still faced traditional and non-traditional security threats, a widening gap between North and South, and the re-emergence of trade protectionism.  Two years before, the Chinese President had called for a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.  Today, that was still the best avenue to “win-win progress”.

China was particularly committed to a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, he said.  The Six-Party Talks had become an important platform for normalizing relations between countries.  China fully supported the use of dialogue to achieve denuclearization of the Peninsula.  Diplomatic negotiation was also the best option for solving the Iranian nuclear issue.  While China opposed nuclear weapons proliferation, “no non-proliferation efforts should deviate from the goal of upholding international peace and stability”.  A country’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected, and diplomatic dialogue was the way to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while supporting the Palestinian bid for an independent state.  National reconciliation in Iraq would also contribute to a resolution of Middle East conflicts.  In Darfur, there should be talks among the Sudanese Government, the African Union and the United Nations, hand in hand with balanced progress in peacekeeping operations.

Turning to poverty, he said it was a major source of disputes that would only be eliminated through development.  “Obviously, it is impossible to build common prosperity when there is a huge chasm between the North and South.”  The international community should act urgently and redouble its efforts to deliver the Millennium Goals, bearing in mind Africa’s special needs.  Developed countries should increase financial and technical assistance while opening up domestic markets and eliminating trade protectionism in favour of an open, equitable and fair multilateral trading regime.  That should be the outcome of the Doha Round of talks.

“Development in the world has both advanced material progress and caused ecological imbalance and environmental pollution,” he warned.  “To protect our common homeland is a matter of vital importance for our common future.”  Though climate change was an environmental issue, it was ultimately one of development.  Developed countries should face up to their responsibility and fulfil their commitments on emission reduction and the development of new technologies and technology transfer.  China had already adopted a series of laws to that effect and had promised to reduce energy intensity by 20 per cent and total discharge of major pollutants by 10 per cent.  On the subject of United Nations reform, China pushed for a comprehensive and balanced reform of the Security Council, with priority given to increasing the representation of developing countries. 

On Taiwan, he reaffirmed his Government’s position that the island was an inalienable part of China’s territory.  Taiwan’s push for a referendum on United Nations membership was a dangerous step towards “de jure Taiwan independence” and, if unchecked, “this move will gravely endanger peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and in the Asia Pacific region”.  China would never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China “in any name or in any way”.

He concluded by noting that China would host the Olympic Games with the theme “One World, One Dream”.  The Games represented humanity’s aspirations for peace, development, cooperation and friendship.

AHMED ABOUL GHEIT, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt, recalling that six years ago the international community pledged to work seriously to achieve long-awaited breakthroughs in old crises, said the world seemed to have gone astray.  The Assembly had failed to maintain its momentum, as narrow-minded domestic agendas had been imposed.  Unwise objectives had replaced lofty ones, and “eradication of international terrorism” had turned into a loose slogan.  How could the world have arrived at a point that bordered on a “clash between civilizations, cultures and religions?” he wondered.  Why were some attempting to thrust the holy Islamic faith into the “labyrinth of a limitless clash with the West?”

Getting things back on track was Egypt’s main concern, he said, and directly addressing the chronic conflicts was the “correct way out”.  Foremost among them:  the Arab-Israeli conflict and its crux, the Palestinian question.  While any attempt to achieve stability without serious settlement of those conflicts would not succeed, sustained action for the achievement of a just and comprehensive settlement would contribute to Middle East stability.  Recalling that 16 years had passed since the historic Arab-Israeli peace conference in Madrid, he said persistence of the conflict only inflamed passions, and Egypt had endeavoured to bring a just and comprehensive end to it.

The issue required leadership from all parties, and Egypt was constantly ready to work with Palestinians, Israelis, Americans, Europeans and those who took to heart the interests of Palestinians.   Egypt’s purpose was to resume serious dialogue that would lead to settlement within a specified timeframe, and its commitment remained to the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian State, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.  The upcoming meeting called for by United States President George Bush could provide an important opportunity to achieve progress.

On Iraq, he said the country needed leaders keen to extend “the hand of dialogue” rather than the gun.  The constitution should express the hopes of all Iraqis without marginalization he said, reiterated the importance of Iraqi territorial integrity and the need for Iraqis to engage in dialogue.  The situation in Lebanon was delicate, and he encouraged Lebanon’s politicians to deal with the upcoming elections in a manner consistent with the constitution.  The Lebanese model of co-existence should not be allowed to suffer a set back. On Darfur, he said as proof of Egypt’s concern for stability in the region, the country had offered 3,500 troops in the United Nations hybrid peacekeeping force, and drilled forty boreholes to make water resources available for Darfurians.

On disarmament, he said Egypt in 1995 had accepted the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty within an integrated package.   Israel had not yet acceded to the treaty, despite international calls to do so. Only when a single standard was applied -- equally and without exception – to all regional States would Middle East security be strengthened.  Turning to Security Council reform, an issue that should not fade as some advocated for expansion, Egypt, as a member of the African Group, was fully committed to the unified African position.  In conclusion, he said the state of the world today was cause for alarm.  States must work together with open minds to meet their peoples’ aspirations for freedom, justice and dignified life. Egypt would defend those priorities.

SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, drew attention to the fact that, despite the efforts and peaceful constructive initiatives the United Arab Emirates had put forth, until now, no progress whatsoever had been made on the settlement of the issue of the 1971 Iranian occupation of three United Arab Emirates islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.  He called for a solution of the issue by peaceful means, either through bilateral and unconditional negotiations, or by referral of the issue to the International Court of Justice.

Concerning Iraq, he said “all should abstain from interference in Iraq’s internal affairs”.  All parties should cooperate to bring an end to violence.  He also called for respect for Iraq’s national sovereignty and said calls for partition and division should be resisted.  He pledged the United Arab Emirate’s support of Iraq’s reconstruction.  Turning to the Middle East crisis, he called on the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, together with Middle East Quartet, to play a more active role in giving momentum to the Middle East peace process.  Without Israel’s acceptance of the Arab Initiative, he stressed, there could be no comprehensive and just solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.  Following with interest the effort to convene the international peace conference for the Middle East later this year, he anticipated a balanced and fairly-managed peace process to end the conflict.  The peace process should be based upon the Arab Peace Initiative, the Road Map and the United Nations Security Council resolutions, as well as the rules of international legitimacy, in general.  He also renewed support for Syria’s right to regain its full sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

On Lebanon, he supported the United Nations restoration of security and stability, including putting pressure on Israel to fulfil its legal obligations under the Security Council Resolution 1701.  He called on Israel’s withdrawal from the Shabaa Farms area and al-Ghajar village, as well as the handing over of detailed maps and coordinates of landmines and cluster bomb targets in South Lebanon.  He noted the United Arab Emirates role in the reconstruction of Lebanon, including the removal of mines, originally commenced as part of an initiative taken in 2001, when it provided $50 million to the effort.

Continuing, he hoped talks between Iran and the IAEA would eventually lead to a permanent, peaceful solution and noted that Israel should not be excluded from the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty on nuclear weapons as its possession of such weapons posed a danger to the whole region.  Additionally, he supported an inter-faith dialogue among various cultures and civilizations to combat terrorism.  Through its provision of over $70 billion in loans, grants and assistance for development projects to 95 countries, he noted his country’s commitment to peace and stability.

Nationally, the United Arab Emirates Government Strategy, he said, was the country’s first binding business process re-engineering programme for governmental performance, meant to ensure countrywide sustainable development.  To achieve wider popular particular participation, the United Arab Emirates had launched a political reform plan, where the Federal National Council was elected by an electoral college.  In addition, women were included in the representation of the Council of Ministers, the Federal National Council, as well as in the judiciary.

He said the United Arab Emirates had also enacted laws to counter terrorist crimes, money laundering, and human trafficking, to protect the full rights of an expatriate workforce and to promote the international judicial cooperation in criminal matters and on import and export control procedures.  To promote education, the United Arab Emirates had launched the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, designed to recognize, celebrate and motivate outstanding writers and intellectuals for contributions to Arab culture and the humanities, as well as the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University and the Emirates Foundation.  He said that two world class satellite museums would also be constructed in the near future.

URSULA PLASSNIK, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, said of the “burning issue” of Myanmar that Austria joined the European Union and ASEAN in calling for the immediate cessation of violence.  Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi had to be released from detention, and democratic rights had to be respected, she said. “The bloodshed has to stop.”

Calling for a re-launching of effective multilateralism, she said that none, even the strongest, could master the challenges of the twenty-first century alone, and that globalization meant that unilateralism was a dead-end street.  Climate change was an obvious challenge that could only be tackled by a new global partnership, and matters such as disarmament were also within reach of such a multilateral initiative.   Austria’s call for a legally binding instrument by 2008 that would prohibit cluster munitions was gathering a number of States behind it.

Nuclear technology created a highly dangerous “grey zone” between permitted and potential use of the energy source, and Austria suggested a regime in which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) controlled the enrichment facilities and took responsibility for an adequate fuel supply to strictly monitored members of an international “nuclear fuel bank”.   Iran’s nuclear program was causing doubts among the whole international community, she said, adding that it was the responsibility of Iran to dispel doubts about the program to the satisfaction of IAEA.

Austria’s commitment to the rule of law was profound, and Austria therefore strongly supported the newly established Rule of Law Unit.  Right had to prevail over might, she said.  Developing a new relationship between the African Union and the European Union was an initiative Austria supported and her Government would co-host a conference both in Ouagadougou on how to create sustainable peace.   Austria welcomed the ongoing efforts to alleviate the plight of the people of Darfur.  Another pressing issue for Austria, especially as a European State, was the unresolved situation of Kosovo.  “We need to resolve the last open status issue in the western Balkans now.”  It was the continuing obligation of Austria, under Security Council-resolution 1244, to contribute along with the European Union towards the stability of the entire Balkan region.

The status of women was a matter of concern, exemplified by the fact that there was, not so long ago, not a single woman among the 54 United Nations Special Representatives and Envoys, she said she was encouraged by the Secretary-General’s support on the issue and the recent nomination of three Deputy Special Representatives for Liberia, Sudan and Lebanon.  On another issue, she said dialogue was the key to promoting understanding between cultures, and attempts to hijack religion for other purposes must be combated.  Religious leaders had to take a clear stance in condemning practices such as “honour killings” and “female genital mutilation,” which were not related to religion.

She expressed support for the efforts to renew talks between the Arab and Israeli neighbours, and hoped that the talks might create a basis for implementing the “two-State solution”.  Looking ahead to next year, she said that the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a hallmark in the promotion of the idea that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that women must undoubtedly enjoy the same universal rights as men.  In conclusion, she pledged Austria’s commitment to being a responsible and reliable non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2009-2010.

IVAILO KALFIN, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, welcomed the exchange that had been held on global climate change and called for immediate concerted effort in which all members took part in the commonly shared responsibility for the environment.  The outcome of the meeting would serve as a basis for future negotiations towards an international compact that went further than the present instruments.  Notable among other issues needing urgent address were non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, arms control and disarmament.  It was regrettable that more progress had not been achieved regarding the nuclear programme in Iran.

He said that many situations preoccupied the world’s attention at present.  An international treaty should be adopted to regulate the international market in arms.  The world should also mobilize all efforts to address the unambiguously condemnable acts of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations.  Among other measures, it was necessary to eradicate poverty and fight prejudice through such initiatives as the Alliance of Civilizations.  Common efforts should also be turned to situations such as those in Afghanistan and the Middle East.  The Peacebuilding Commission must be strengthened, and a moratorium on the death sentence should be established to demonstrate the high value of human life.

The multilateralism required to address all such matters could only be carried out by a close interaction between the United Nations and regional organizations working with local groups to ensure regional security, he said.  His country was involved in a number of regional initiatives that emphasized the principle of regional ownership in the Caucasus and Black Sea area, as well as emphasized a relationship of good neighbourliness with the European Union, the assurance of common border security and the security of energy supply.  The unsettled situation in Kosovo continued to pose a threat to the region.  The inability to adopt a suitable resolution was regrettable.  The deployment of the Contact Group Troika could be the last chance to negotiate a just solution to the question.  Hopefully, Belgrade and Pristina would be capable of taking the opportunity.

Concluding, he said that the United Nations must continue its reform in order to carry out its important role.  It was regrettable that no tangible progress had been made on reforming of the Security Council.  The negotiation phase must be achieved.  Interim phases could always be established, but the first step could not be put off indefinitely.

Shaikh KHALID BIN AHMED BIN MOHAMMED AL-KHALIFA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, said that international security was based on joint efforts to secure and stabilize States.  But, international peace also required the rule of law and justice in order to face wars, nuclear proliferation, extremism and environmental disasters as a community.  The Millennium Development Goals were a unique work which the Kingdom of Bahrain had been very pleased to work towards.  Investment, national human rights strengthening and labour market reform had ensured Bahrain’s social and economic development.

The Charter of the United Nations required Member States to save future generations from the scourge of war, he said.  Issues that threatened global security and peace were mainly concentrated along two fronts in the Middle East embodied foremost by the situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.  In that respect, Bahrain welcomed President George Bush’s initiative to hold an international conference on Middle East peace during the year.  He expressed hope that the suffering of the Palestinian people might end, and that “an independent, contiguous and viable Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital” might be established.

Iraq represented another front, and he said that the view of Bahrain was that it was the primary responsibility of the Iraqi people and leadership to achieve a national reconciliation and stability.  Respect for Iraq’s borders and rule over its own affairs was crucial.  The support of the Arab League and the United Nations was necessary for the Iraqi government’s stability, and also to preserve its Arab and Islamic nature.  Also, he expressed regret over the instability in Lebanon, and hoped the country would overcome the crisis, for the sake of greater regional stability.  The Sudan, as well, was a fundamental pillar for Africa’s unity; therefore Bahrain expressed support for the deployment of the hybrid force to Darfur.

Bahrain was a member of the IAEA, because of the importance of preventing a Middle East arms race.   Bahrain, therefore, urged Iran to “be more transparent” and to fully cooperate with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while at the same time reaffirming the right of all states to utilize nuclear power for peaceful purposes.  By the same measure, Bahrain demanded that Israel place all its nuclear facilities under the IAEA’s safeguards regime.  Regional friendly relations also required that the United Arab Emirates to recover its “three occupied islands,” he said, and suggested the matter might be referred to the International Court of Justice or settled through direct negotiations.

Climate change was affecting the world’s economic and social order severely, so Bahrain called for cooperation in order to develop solutions.  The High-Level Meeting convened in New York on 24 September of this year was commendable.  On another issue, he expressed hope that the high-level dialogue planned by the General Assembly would encourage the values of tolerance and respect, and abandon “Islamophobia” which was being used to incite hatred between people.  Working for justice, security and prosperity required joint efforts towards a new international environment, and Bahrain reaffirmed its commitment towards working for such a world.

GEORGE YEO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, said the top item on the agenda was climate change, and it could be addressed only by collective action.  Other problems that could only be overcome by the nations of the world coming together involved global pandemics, the fight against terrorism, the multilateral trading system and international finance.  To succeed, better international governance was needed; the cold war of two super Powers was over and a multipolar world was crystallizing.  The situation in Iraq was a sad example of a powerful country acting on its own, in complete disregard of the view of others.  Now the views of the Russian Federation, China, India, Brazil and other emergent or re-emergent Powers must also be considered.

Regional groups, he said, could help small and medium-sized countries strike a balance between rights and responsibilities in becoming involved in international institutions.  The African Union was a good example of how disciplined teamwork could give each member a greater say in world affairs than what it could have on its own.  Solidarity enabled regional organizations like the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to play bigger roles in the world.  The Association of South-East Asian Nations would be strengthened by the adoption of a formal Charter next month.  The Forum of Small States was a loose coalition of members who supported each other and made up more than half the United Nations membership.  Formal and informal groups could play constructive roles by taking the moderate ground and moderating the excessive demands of radical members.

For example, he said, it had been agreed at the recent meeting of APEC in Sydney, Australia, that the Chairman’s texts on agriculture and that of the National Agri-Marketing Association (industrial goods) should serve as the basis for final negotiations.  The agreement had been adopted even though one or two countries had registered reservations.  With agreement positions not so far apart, compromise must be pursued within the regional groupings, so that hundreds of billions of dollars could be added to the annual global welfare.  

Finally, he said, international institutions were never effective enough against the natural rivalry among nations.  Major Powers would still “throw their weight around”, but rules could be established for civilized behaviour and for preventing countries from extreme actions that endangered the planet and the common human heritage.  There were limits on national sovereignty, and those who condemned the brutal recent actions in Myanmar had not only been exercising a legitimate right, but carrying out a responsibility.

SERGEI MARTYNOV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus, said the international community should build a practical partnership to form a new world, in order to tackle mankind’s most serious problems.  Force alone could not overcome terrorism.  On the contrary, force caused terrorism to increase.  The international community was beginning to understand the impact on terrorism of poverty, inequality, social vulnerability and illiteracy, and was working under the leadership of the United Nations to comprehensively and jointly combat it.  The Organization must reassert its role in combating trafficking in human beings and modern slavery by engaging both sender and receiver countries.  The General Assembly should launch a strategy in that regard. 

He said that renewable and alternative energy must also be promoted to address the world’s energy crisis.  That was essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  Technology for energy must be affordable and available for all, not just for a few select countries.  The Assembly should discuss technology for renewable and alternative energy as the common property of mankind during its next session.  Climate change was increasingly acute, and the Kyoto Protocol was the most important international instrument addressing the problem.  Belarus was the first and only country thus far to amend Annex B of the Protocol, and had committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  He called for prompt ratification of the amendment. 

During the last 20 years, Belarus had been grappling with the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he said, calling on Member States to support the proposed decade of rehabilitation and sustainable development of Chernobyl-affected areas.  Belarus was eager to share its scientific data and analysis on the effects of nuclear radiation with the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.  He called on Member States to support Belarus’ request to join the Committee.

Turning to international trade, he said the United Nations must support creation of fair conditions for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), which took into account the trade and financial needs of each country seeking membership.  He rejected using unilateral coercive measures in international relations to politically and economically pressure sovereign States.  Such measures contradicted the United Nations Charter and international law, and caused distrust, hostility and alienation.  The United States had abused its right as manager of the world reserve currency and had deliberately created obstacles for banks and companies from countries it did not like.  In labelling countries “good” and “bad”, the United States was confrontational and had created an atmosphere that suppressed diversity and dissent in international relations.  He called for an end to confrontation, saying the future should be about positive ideas, engagement and cooperation for peace. 

ABDELLAH AL-KHATIB, Foreign Minister of Jordan, said the Middle East continued to face major challenges, as no progress had been made on solving its most pressing issues.  However, these challenges were not a justification for Jordan to abandon its national priorities in political and economic reform and in achieving the highest degree of openness and participation.  It was vital to find ways to maintain national security while continuing to work towards regional reform.

The Palestine Question, at the core of the Middle East conflict, was at a “decisive crossroads”, and unless peace was achieved soon, the whole region could be swept into “extremism and anarchy”.  The international meeting, called by the United States for the end of this year, may be the last chance to achieve progress.  Meetings and negotiations should not be an end in itself.  It was a means to an end -- reaching real peace.  What was needed now was the political will to reach an agreement.  Ultimately, the region will lack stability, and Israel will lack security, until an independent, contiguous and viable Palestinian State was established, to give the Palestinian people their national rights.

Further, the situation in the Territory was not at all in harmony with a wish to achieve peace, he said.  Settlement activities, and excavations in Al Quds Al Sharif must immediately stop.  Also, in order the revitalize the Palestinian economy, the Palestinian people must be granted freedom of movement, through the end of road blocks and closures.  At the same time, the Palestinian Authority must be allowed to rebuild its institutions and execute its national programme.

Jordan expressed its support for the United Nations assumption of a central role in working for reconciliation and stability in Iraq.  National reconciliation, with the enfranchisement of all Iraqi people, and the end of ethnic and sectarian division was vital to achieving peace and stability, he said.  The Iraqi State had the right to ban militias and to prohibit outside interference.  Conflict in Iraq had created a huge refugee problem and Jordan, together with other neighbouring countries, had become host to hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees.  While Jordan remained willing to play that role, it saw restoring stability to Iraq as the best means through which the refugees could return to their homes and work on national reconstruction.

In Lebanon, Jordan condemned the assassinations of political leaders, most recently that of Antoine Ghanem.  The assassinations highlighted the dangerous situation of Lebanon, and made clear that the international community needed to take a firm stand to put an end to all violations to Lebanese sovereignty, so that the Lebanese people would be able to hold timely and constitutional presidential elections.

On the international level, Jordan was working on a number of economic and political initiatives, he said.  The country was active within the “Group of 11”, working to establish economic cooperation and support the development process of lower-middle income countries.  Jordan was also dedicated to furthering international cooperation to fight terrorism, while fighting against Islamophobia.  He emphasized the importance of the United Nations in addressing all international challenges, including human rights, climate change, terrorism, international crime, poverty, hunger and disease.

MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, supported effective multilateralism, inspired by values and principles sustained by the people.  The international community was increasingly aware of the challenges affecting demography, sustainable human and economic development and their relationship to climate change.  Real peace and political reason, not just the absence of war, were needed in the Middle East.  He supported the Quartet, and called for an open dialogue, free of previous conditions, and for the inclusion of Syria and Lebanon.  Spain also supported creation of a peaceful, viable and democratic Palestinian State, and an Israel that had good, secure relations in the region.  Spain participated in the United Nations Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and hoped for a peaceful political solution to Lebanon’s political crisis.  He also supported self-determination in Western Sahara, and trusted that friendly nations, with the support of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, would encourage all parties to engage in direct negotiations and reach an agreement.

He said that global terrorism aimed to undermine the stability of free, democratic societies, and an international, coordinated strategy against terrorism must prevail.  Spain participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, Afghanistan and Kosovo.  He paid homage to Spanish peacekeeping soldiers who lost their lives, noting that two Spanish military officers died four days ago while in service in Afghanistan.  Spain had also offered to set up a United Nations logistics support base in Quart de Poblet in Valencia, Spain, to help develop peacekeeping operations on the ground.

Constructive trust was fundamental, and that had been the embryo of the Forum of Dialogue on Gibraltar, in which important agreements had been reached in matters of local cooperation that benefited everyone, he said.  Spain wished to advance in the process of reaching a definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute, in accordance with the resolutions and decisions of the United Nations.

Spain was also firmly committed to defeating poverty, and was already the eighth largest contributor in the United Nations of funds for official development assistance for anti-poverty programmes, he said.  Spain aimed to give 0.7 per cent of its gross domestic product for development aid by 2012.  It was profoundly committed to the Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.  Access to drinking water and sanitation was a universal right.  That principle would be the central theme guiding the 2008 exposition in Zaragoza on water and sustainable development, which would focus on international cooperation on environmental concerns as well as scientific, technical and economic management.  Turning to human rights, he reiterated Spain’s trust in the Human Rights Council and its desire to join the Council next year.  He called for a resolution that abolished the death penalty, or at least a universal moratorium on the death penalty during the Council’s session. 

SONG MIN-SOON, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Republic of Korea, commended the United Nations for its indispensable role in setting international norms and principles, and enhancing predictability and role-based interaction between and among nations, but it also urged the Organization to do more.  In that regard, the Republic of Korea fully supported the initiatives the Secretary-General has taken to reform the United Nations. 

Now was the time to renew the commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, he said.  The Republic of Korea had committed to a threefold increase of its official development assistance by 2015, and it had joined the “air-ticket solidarity levy” initiative.  His country also remained committed to sharing its development experiences with other developing countries.  He pressed for the adoption of a road map for a post-2012 on climate change.  Concerning human rights, the Republic of Korea was committed to strengthening the role of the Human Rights Council, of which it was an inaugural member.  Deeply concerned about the current situation in Myanmar, he strongly hoped the Government and people of Myanmar would work together peacefully towards democratization and national reconciliation.  The Republic of Korea had adopted a national action plan for the promotion and protection of human rights, and had increased its efforts to eliminate discrimination against vulnerable groups, such as women, children and persons with disabilities. 

He pronounced his support for United Nations peacekeeping missions, particularly in Southern Lebanon and the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur, but stressed that “peace cannot be sustained without development”.  The establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission had been “critical”.  His country’s experiences throughout the past half-century with rebuilding could be useful in providing insights and encouragements for other post-conflict peacebuilding activities.  He also pledged his country’s support for global anti-terrorism efforts, noting that the Republic of Korea was party to 12 anti-terrorism conventions.

Concerning nuclear non-proliferation, he said his country was in the process of ratifying the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.  As home to the world’s sixth largest civil nuclear energy industry, he encouraged strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime.  That meant paying particular attention to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear issue.  At the same time, he endorsed the use of nuclear energy for a sustainable energy supply and economic development.  Hopefully, another agreement would be reached during the new round of six-party talks, which were now under way in Beijing, leading to the disabling of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear facilities.  At the summit meeting to be held in Pyongyang next week, inter-Korean relations would be taken to a higher level and denuclearization of the North would be encouraged.  Denuclearization of the Peninsula would have a “ripple effect”, extending benefits to the other parts of the world, including the Middle East.

INGIBJORG SÓLRÚN GÍSLADÓTTIR, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, said Iceland’s story was a testimony to the fact that it was through civilized co-existence with the community of nations that societies prospered.  Iceland progressed from being one of the poorest countries in Europe to being one of the most prosperous by building a Nordic welfare society on the sustainable harvesting of natural resources.  Despite Iceland’s progress, success in addressing many global human development goals, such as child mortality, had been disappointing.  Although it was likely that the Millennium Development Goals could be reached by 2015, regional issues in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa remained particularly challenging.

She called climate change a global phenomenon, tending to affect the poorest countries the most.  How climate change was managed was a testament to the fundamental values of the United Nations and shared responsibility among nations.  Adaptation to climate change was not a stand-alone issue, but an integral part of attaining the Millennium Development Goals.  Iceland had set a long-term goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 75 per cent by 2050.  The Kyoto Protocol was not universal.  With regard to alternative, sustainable and clean sources of energy, she stressed the need for deforestation and investment in new technology.  However, technology should not exacerbate current problems, such as the potential of biomass-based energy to raise food prices.  New sources of renewable energy, including nuclear energy reactors, should adhere to strict environmental standards.

Continuing, she stressed the need for gender equality and women’s empowerment.  The work of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) must be built upon and reinforced in the new structure.  Establishing the post of Under-Secretary-General for gender equality issues should provide strong leadership and coordination on the issue.  Regarding development, she urged donors to deliver on promises and accelerate efforts to increase assistance.  Iceland aimed to be a top contributor, however, official development assistance was not a panacea.  The efforts of the African Union to work together on continental integration had been commendable, but progress should still be made in the area of international trade negotiations.

To advance global peace and security, Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, should be fully implemented.  She expressed deep concern over events in Myanmar, including the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and the suppression of political dissent.  She criticized the failure of authorities around the world to ensure the protection of women and children from violence and trafficking, and she encouraged Member States to support a resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.  The Chairman of the African Union and the United Nations Secretary-General should also find a way to alleviate the suffering of the people in Darfur.  In the Middle East, ongoing talks, with the support of the Quartet, gave hope to peace efforts of the Israeli and Palestinian Governments.  However, the humanitarian needs of the civilian populations involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be met.  Final status issues for Palestinians and Israelis must also be on the agenda for the peace conference with the President of the United States.  She pledged Iceland’s support for Iraqi refugees, noting its donation to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the provision of schooling to Iraqi children in Jordan.  Regarding arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, only limited progress had been made by Member States, and Iceland called for the conclusion of an arms trade treaty.

Regarding the United Nations system, she commended the formation of the Human Rights Council and Peacebuilding Commission at the United Nations Summit of 2005, but said the Security Council should be more representative of our modern world, which would entail an increase in the number of elected and permanent seats.  In 2000, Iceland, supported by the other Nordic countries, notified the United Nations of its first-time candidacy for a seat on the Security Council in 2009-2010. 

MOHAMED BOLKIAH, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, said he agreed with the need for the United Nations to strengthen its central position in the multilateral system.  He was especially pleased how the Assembly President included civil society as part of the lasting consensus among Member States, which meant giving ordinary people a place there.  Yet, that also posed a serious challenge to the United Nations, given those people must also have an understanding of issues.  Discussions, including those on climate change, have shown that modern problems were extremely complicated.  He said it was important for the people of Brunei Darussalam to gain a full understanding of those difficulties.  Understanding would come from having good education, good health and strong social services.  That would come when all countries achieved the Millennium Development Goals.  “It is more urgent than ever that these Goals be reached on time,” he said.

Regarding the Goals, he recognized the United Nations was at the critical halfway point that it set out seven years ago.  He noted that this week’s discussions on climate change showed how vital the next seven years would be.  Likening climate change to security, sustainable development and energy, he said, in Brunei, people have just realized how much of a challenge global warming presents.  He stressed the need for people to learn more about climate change, quickly, through shared knowledge and expertise.  Consensus meant tackling modern-day problems together, he added.  Welcoming the Assembly President’s proposed partnership, he said he hoped it would turn the people of Brunei into not just “receivers of solutions”, but into “agents in finding solutions”.

MOUSSA OKANLA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and French-speakers and Benineses living abroad of Benin, supported the United Nations important role in mitigating ongoing conflicts facing mankind.  The international community must urgently expand the safety net for African countries suffering from enormous losses caused by agricultural subsidies in developed countries.  Malnutrition, desertification and coastal erosion exacerbated the fight for survival.  Many of these problems were the result of global warming.  Progress had been made on environmental concerns since the 1992 Rio Summit.  The international community must now heed the warnings of scientists and must step up comprehensive implementation of programmes and strategies to address climate change within the framework of international instruments.  The risks stemming from climate change were particularly terrifying for low-income coastal countries such as Benin.  A preventive, precautionary approach was necessary, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities to address the problems of coastal erosion, poverty eradication and inadequate living conditions of the world’s poorest.

The international community must also expand its efforts to transform global consumption patterns and energy policies, he said, stressing the importance of using renewable energy, including replacing firewood with solar stoves, particularly in poor communities.  A change in mindset was necessary to have a change in behaviour.  The international community must also deliver on the financing promises made at Monterrey and Glen Eagles.  That spirit of international solidarity was essential to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  The dialogue in New York in October and the 2008 meeting in Qatar provided an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the situation.  Resources must be mobilized for poor countries.  Benin’s Government was stepping up efforts to root out corruption and promote effective, transparent management of finances.  It had set up a Presidential Investment Council and instituted free, universal primary schooling.  Further, Benin had joined the African Union’s peer review mechanism to promote cooperation, good governance and peacebuilding.

Turning to Security Council reform, he said the Council must be made more representative of the United Nations membership and more transparent in its working methods, taking into account the realities of today’s world.  He also called for a peaceful end to the Israel-Palestine conflict, an international treaty to combat arms trafficking, and for the perpetrators of human trafficking to be brought to justice by the International Criminal Court.  He welcomed expansion of the United Nations mechanism to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers.  He also supported the hybrid United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur and called for similar support to address the conflict in Somalia.  Benin and the United Nations Fund for Democracy had proposed holding an international conference in 2008 on challenges and issues concerning democratic change in Governments.  He welcomed others to support the proposal.

ADRIAN MIHAI CIOROIANU, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, said the compromise solution offered by the transitional formula on Security Council reform should be considered carefully.  He said the intermediary stages and the “terminus point” must receive support, however, if the process was to bear fruit.  The compromise offered by the intermediary stage was regarded positively because it was general enough for those involved to see themselves moving forward towards the goal, even while it remained to be seen whether the solution would stand the test of substantive negotiation.  In any event, work should go forward on the complementary dimension of improving the Council’s working methods, particularly on transparency and the possible limitation of the veto.  The 23 member-Eastern European Group should be given an extra seat.

On to other matters, he said that institution-building in Iraq should go forward in a consolidated manner at the regional level.  The fight against terrorism must be carried out by all actors at the national, regional and international levels, but it must be within the parameters of respect for human rights.  Arms control was a priority, as was the development of nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

He noted that his country was actively participating in 12 peacekeeping and police training programmes on four continents, including in Georgia, Kosovo and the Balkans.  The cultural and linguistic character of the people being deployed should be taken into consideration when assembling multinational forces.  Also, more attention should be given to matters that were particularly sensitive, such as the protection of children.  A special representative for the protection of children from violence should be named. 

Reviewing his country’s considerable record in the important area of human rights, he said that democracy was a global process that had grown to near universal acceptance.  As a member of the European Union, his country would join the group of donor countries by the end of the year and its assumption of official development assistance responsibilities would be part of its foreign policy.  All possibilities for contributing to voluntary funds for nurturing democracies would be considered.  Along with the greater freedom that came with democracy, came a greater responsibility to protect the environment.   Romania had suffered, like so many others, great heat waves followed by floods.  Concerted efforts must be made to address that urgent matter. 

MASAHIKO KOUMURA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, said, in the era of globalization, the international community faced new challenges that stretch across borders, in particular, climate change will be a crisis for all humanity and for future generations.  Japan had presented a new proposal on climate change, which supported developing innovative technology and building a low-carbon society.  “We need to tackle climate change without pause up to and beyond 2012,” he said.  Japan would continue to negotiate an international agreement on climate change through the G-8 Hokkaido Tokyo Summit next year.  Japan had gained in international competitiveness by decreasing oil consumption and improving energy efficiency at a time in which its gross domestic product doubled.  In addition, Japan had promoted a new national campaign aimed at reducing the emissions of individual households and the implementation of a casual dress code initiative.  The spirit of “rejecting wastefulness” also contributed to that aim.

Regarding African development, which was another priority for Japan, he noted that peace had been consolidated in several areas, and many countries had been growing robustly.  However, for Africa to become a more vibrant continent, economic growth should be enhanced and sustained, human security should be ensured through the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the consolidation of peace and the establishment of democratic governance, and issues of climate change and the environment should be addressed.  The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) IV, Japan’s fourth conference on African development, would place particular importance on African ownership and true partnership with the international community.  The Conference, he said, would present a fresh opportunity to mobilize the knowledge and resources of the international community for African development.  Without peace in Africa, the world at large would not enjoy peace and prosperity, he said.  For Darfur, Japan had provided $85 million in assistance and had welcomed the deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission there.

To enhance peace and security, Japan had assisted Iraq by dispatching self-defense forces and providing official development assistance of up to $5 billion, he said.  To help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, Japan had helped with disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and disbandment of illegal armed groups, working with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.  As the current chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, he noted Japan’s launch of the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center, to train civilian experts in Asia to better respond to needs on the ground.  Next, he highlighted Japan’s role in helping to facilitate free and fair elections, particularly in Timor-Leste, Sierra Leone and Nepal.  He then called on the Government of Myanmar to exercise its utmost restraint and resolve its current situation through dialogue.

Japan, next month, would accede to the International Criminal Court while helping improve legal systems in developing countries, he continued.  Japan had signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, he said.  Hoping for the improvement of the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the issue of the abductions there, Japan would also pursue the adoption of the resolution of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at this session of the General Assembly.

Japan would continue its efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula through six-party talks and would also continue to urge Iran to suspend its enrichment-related activities.  As the only country in the world that had experienced nuclear devastation, he said Japan would again submit a draft resolution at this session of the Assembly to map out concrete measures towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.  Regarding terrorism, he said Japan supported resolution 1776, the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and would continue its refuelling activities in the Indian Ocean.

As for reform of the United Nations, he called on the Security Council to become more representative and effective through expanding the number of permanent and non-permanent members.  He hoped for results through negotiations during the current session.  “What is required today is not to wait for change, but to bring it about,” he said.  “The question is not what to expect of the United Nations, but how we may revitalize the Organization.”

Rights of Reply

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of Cyprus said that the statement made earlier in the day by the Prime Minister of Turkey referred to the so-called “Turkish republic of northern Cyprus”.  Turkey’s insistence on promoting that “republic” was proof that Turkey had no interest in the reunification of Cyprus.  The Turkish Prime Minister was stuck in the past and continued to recite his country’s long-standing position on the Secretary-General’s 2004 plan to solve the Cyprus problem.   Turkey’s acceptance of a plan that was pre-arranged to have no unmanageable or unfavourable after-effects for Turkey was by no means an accomplishment.  The Prime Minister’s assessment of why the Greek Cypriot community was overwhelmingly compelled to reject the 2004 plan was insulting and outside the boundaries of diplomatic convention.  The lack of settlement of the Cyprus problem was due to Turkey’s refusal to negotiate the core issues of the Cyprus question.  It was ironic that the Prime Minister was calling for the resumption of negotiations, when his side had been burying an ongoing dialogue to implement the 8 July agreement.

Despite the situation, Turkish Cypriots found themselves in because of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots enjoyed a per capita income that Turkish citizens would envy, he continued.  If the Prime Minister aimed at economic development for Turkish Cypriots, then he should lift the restrictions his army imposed by occupying one third of Cyprus.  Cyprus had no doubts about its sovereignty over its territory, sea, airspace, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.  Cyprus sought only its peaceful existence.  

Responding to the representative of the United Arab Emirates, Iran’s representative recalled that a memorandum of understanding had been signed concerning the three Gulf islands.  There was some misunderstanding over why the United Arab Emirates was making claims against Iran over the status of islands.  Those matters should be addressed, because Iran had always given the highest priority to matters of mutual respect for its neighbours and for their territorial sovereignty.

In reply, the representative of the United Arab Emirates said he was disappointed by what Iran had said with regard to the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, Tumb and Lesser Tumb.  While Iran’s continued untrue claims and allegations about some misunderstanding over the islands were regrettable, Iran was, in fact, attempting to change reality.  Why did Iran continue to ignore the calls of the Emirates for negotiations on the matter?  Iran’s refusal to participate in such negotiations revealed the truth about its claims.  Iran should reconsider its position and the three islands should return to legitimate United Arab Emirates sovereignty.

Speaking in the exercise of the right of reply, the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea spoke about the 13 Japanese reported missing in his country.  He noted that the Government organized a special nationwide investigation in 2002 on the issue.  The results confirmed that there were cases when Japanese were abducted by individual Koreans from the late 1970s through the early 1980s.  When the Japanese Prime Minister visited the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 2002, the Japanese side had been informed of the investigation’s results.  Formal regret by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had been expressed about the abductions, he said.  Investigators found that five abductees were still alive and eight had died.

He noted that the Japanese had forcefully drafted 8.4 million Koreans, killed more than 1 million and forced 200,000 Korean girls and women into sexual slavery for the Imperial Japanese Army.  Government had made a sincere effort to return the five survivors and their seven sons and daughters to Japan.  If Japan continued to insist that all abductees be returned to Japan, then the abduction issue would only be settled when all those Japanese were returned to life.  He said he hoped the Japanese would accept today’s reality concerning the abduction and deal with this issue with prudence.

Iran’s representative said the misunderstanding on the part of the United Arab Emirates was regrettable and was founded in a dual basis of technicality and locality.  An agreement had been signed in 1971 between Iran and Tarshay.  The Emirates had brought in actors who had nothing to do with the matter.  Iran was willing to resolve the issue bilaterally.

Japan’s representative said the allegations on the part of the representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea were unacceptable.  The abduction issue was not resolved and was a serious human rights issue that had been the subject of a General Assembly resolution last year.  Of the 17 people abducted, only 5 had been returned.  Twelve were believed to be alive.  The matter should be resolved so that relations between Japan and the People’s Republic could be resolved. 

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For information media • not an official record