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De Moura

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS DE MOURA

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1993-09-24

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1995-09-24

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un-general-debate

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1. “We are aware that the rapid recovery of the Angolan economy will depend largely on our success in implementing this programme and achieving peace and harmony in our country. It is an economy that saw its gross national product and per capita income decrease by one half as a consequence of war. Thus, we would like once again to request the international community to continue to lend assistance to Angola in order to achieve complete peace and reconciliation among all Angolans. We hope that can become a reality.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

2. “As I speak, a meeting is being held in Brussels between my country and the European Community to come up with an overall plan for national reconciliation. From this rostrum we should like to express our thanks to all countries that have assisted us and to all the United Nations agencies that have made it possible to organize this important meeting, the first round table meeting in Brussels. My Government has entered in earnest on to the task of achieving national reconciliation in our country. As we said earlier, a community rehabilitation programme has been created, in collaboration with the United Nations, to this end. It has a budget of $700 million that will be open to all donor countries in Brussels with a view, inter alia, to restoring in the shortest possible time basic production activity in the 18 provinces of the country.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

3. “It has by and large assured respect for the provisions of the Peace Accords and has involved the presence of many countries represented here. We believe that the complete deployment of peace-keeping infantry units will make it possible better to control the implementation of the commitments made in Lusaka. The post-conflict phase in Angola will require urgent measures of a special economic and social nature in order to move the country rapidly out of the state of crisis, to 15 rebuild its productive and social infrastructures and to prevent a return to war, measures which must guarantee the social reintegration of thousands of military personnel, of whom some 150,000 are to be demobilized, and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons who are returning to their areas of origin.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

4. “Despite those efforts, which my Government views as positive, we continue to be concerned by the excessive delays in the implementation of the peace process, whose most serious issue is the quartering and demobilization of UNITA forces, which has not yet been implemented as it should have been under the Lusaka Accords. This delay has resulted in some serious recent problems and incidents in some regions of the country. Such incidents do not at this time pose a serious threat to peace, but they are capable of creating dangerous focal points of tension that call into question the trust that is needed for full implementation of the Peace Accords. My Government would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude for the work done by the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

5. “This has facilitated the resolution of many problems related to the implementation of the Accords that were not resolved at Lusaka. In addition, the Government has taken important steps to strengthen the climate of mutual trust and to make reconciliation possible. Within this context, the Government supported a legislative initiative to modify the Constitution to accommodate the leader of UNITA as one of the two Vice-Presidents of the Republic. That significant political gesture, along with the future integration of UNITA members in a government of national unity, will create conditions for Angolans to enjoy a definitive and lasting peace in a climate of tolerance, free from hatreds or resentment.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

6. “It is an agreement that complements the fundamental structure of the peace process established by the Bicesse Accords, which were signed with the mediation of the Government of Portugal. Since the signature of the Lusaka document in 1991 and the cease-fire agreed to in November last year, the situation in our country has evolved significantly, despite some negative aspects and obstacles that I shall mention shortly. Major offensive military actions have stopped, leading to the free movement of people and goods in many areas of the country under Government control. We are now seeing the return of thousands of displaced citizens to their areas of origin. In the political area, a direct dialogue has begun between the Government and UNITA, between His Excellency the President of Angola and Mr. Savimbi.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

7. “Angola therefore reiterates its opposition to this unilateral measure, whose extraterritorial impact is in violation of international norms of free trade and international law. Practice shows that constructive dialogue is the best solution for resolving differences, similar to that which occurred in reaching a solution to the problem of migration between the two countries. We think that it is up to the people of Cuba freely to decide their own destiny. Obviously, I cannot refrain from making reference to the situation in my own country, which will be of interest to many here. As is known, after long years of war Angola finally found the path to peace, starting with the signature of the Lusaka Protocol and the initial steps taken to implement its provisions.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

8. “We are particularly encouraged by the opening of a dialogue between Portugal and Indonesia. But there will be positive results only if the interests and options of the people of the Territory are borne in mind during the search for a just and acceptable solution. Angola shares with the people of East Timor a common past of struggle against Portuguese colonialism. We will continue to give our utmost to the search for a just and acceptable solution. By sustaining an economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba for more than 30 years the United States of America has created a paradox within the reality of our times. The embargo is a set-back to international efforts to eliminate the last relics of the cold war.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

9. “We are confident of a final end to the Arab-Israeli conflict if we continue to see political will, a constructive spirit and flexibility demonstrated on all sides. Angola has always defended the right to self-determination of the people of 14 Palestine and the restitution of the occupied Arab territories. We here reiterate our support for the peace process that is under way and express our opposition to acts of violence intended to call into question the continuation of this process. The question of East Timor continues to prick the conscience of the international community. It is necessary to ensure that the people of East Timor enjoy the legitimate right freely to choose its own destiny and that this be recognized. In this regard the United Nations has an important responsibility, which it cannot escape.”

   1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

10. “The conflict in the countries of the former Yugoslavia is one of the most complex conflicts seen in Europe since the end of the cold war. The Government of Angola is concerned about this conflict. We support the current peace initiatives and hope that the meeting between the parties involved and the mediators will lead to concrete results, to the satisfaction of the peoples of the region. The situation in the Middle East has been marked by some important and significant developments since the signing of the agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the beginning of the normalization of bilateral relations among countries of the region. Such advances are quite encouraging.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

11. “In that context we did not hesitate to make a contribution to a resolution of the crisis faced by the people of the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe after the coup d’état of 15 August. As the Assembly will be aware, Angolan mediation helped to restore democratic institutions and constitutional order in that country. We have acted on behalf of the historic solidarity which links our two peoples in a common struggle for democratic liberties and respect for the law of constitutional institutions. Thanks to the support provided by the international community, particularly the Portuguese-speaking countries, along with the European Union, France and Portugal in particular, and of course the Secretary-General of the United Nations, we were able, in a short period of time, to get an agreement between the parties on 22 August last.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

12. “The international community, and the United Nations in particular, cannot and should not fail to shoulder its responsibilities vis-à-vis the people of Somalia. We pay tribute to Liberia for the recent developments in that country, thanks to the recent Abuja peace agreement between the warring parties. We hope that this agreement will finally bring lasting peace to the Liberian people. Concerning Western Sahara, we join our voice to the voice of the international community in urging the interested parties to observe the United Nations peace plan. Despite its own internal difficulties, the Government of the Republic of Angola is doing its utmost to support OAU efforts within the framework of African mechanisms of prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

13. “Above all, it demonstrated the need for the international community to seek new ways and means to eliminate the focal points of conflict and to guarantee protection for civilian populations, the people who are the primary victims of internal conflicts. In Burundi we are concerned about the deteriorating internal situation. In this connection the international community, and the United Nations in particular, should shoulder their responsibilities in order to help avoid the repetition in that country of earlier events by supporting by every means available the efforts carried out by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) mission with a view to fostering peace and stability. In Somalia the continuing fratricidal war that is tearing that society apart is threatening the very existence and integrity of the country.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

14. “If, as we have just indicated, it is true that we are witnessing, nearly everywhere, some proliferation of regional conflicts that put peace and international security at risk, it is also true that in Africa these conflicts have reached a level of great danger. Not only is the dimension of such conflicts a source of concern but so is their nature. Its markedly ethnic, racial or religious character is being used to justify intentions which place at risk the unity and territorial integrity of several nations. The inadmissible genocide that occurred in Rwanda seriously damaged the values of human dignity and tolerance.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

15. “In the same way we value the joint regional integration between members of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic, of which Angola is also a member. In successive resolutions the General Assembly has recommended that priority be given to our continent in terms of aid for development, because it is the region of the world that has most suffered the tragic effects of colonialism. But reality shows a significant drop in resources available for development. This aggravates the precarious economic situation of African countries that have no capital and no technology, which increases poverty and makes them susceptible to serious internal conflict.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

16. “It is thus necessary to have a more just international economic order, without protectionist measures that impede international business relations and create discrimination against developing countries, the majority of which become sources of raw materials and inexpensive labour and importers of manufactured goods. The strengthening of south-south cooperation and regional economic integration will, as we see it, be an adequate response to this trend. Countries of the southern region of Africa, to which Angola belongs, have provided a good example of regional integration, both economic and political, by forming the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Given the prospects for total political stability in the region and its economic potential, the region may well transform itself into an 13 important development zone.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

17. “Africa’s capacity to repay debt has been negatively affected not only by weak economic structures inherited from the past, but also by natural disasters and internal armed conflicts. In view of this situation, it is necessary to adopt measures that are more just and less prejudicial, so that debtor countries can pay their external debt without hindering their development or requiring further sacrifices on the part of the poorest segments of their populations. The principal international financial institutions should grant more favourable credit to developing countries, so that the remedies applied to their respective economies will not lead to a deterioration of the health of those economies. The present international economic order does not favour the economies of the so-called third world.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

18. “United Nations agencies involved in development have seen their budgets severely affected by the financial crisis, resulting in cuts in numerous programmes that were destined to help raise development indicators in various countries. To give just one example, the annual report of the Secretary-General indicates that the United Nations Development Programme experienced a reduction of $1.4 billion in the period 1992-1996. Structural adjustment programmes undertaken in various countries have not produced the desired results, leading to reductions in national funds in the social field. These negative factors are cumulative, and added to them is the heavy burden of external debt, whose service alone consumes a large part of the gross national product of debtor countries.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

19. “These problems range from the living conditions of children, the environment, human rights, population problems and social development to, more recently, the issue of the situation of women, dealt with at the Beijing Conference. The time has come to take action. The unsatisfactory functioning of some of the mechanisms for monitoring the application of decisions and the weak commitment of States have been the root cause of the failure to carry out many of these recommendations. The world socio-economic situation continues to deteriorate, particularly in the so-called developing countries, where many economies are on the verge of collapse. Public assistance for development has sunk to deplorable levels.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

20. “The enlargement of the Council should take place with respect to the categories of permanent and non-permanent members alike. This will require taking into consideration the need for geographic balance. We are also in favour of restructuring the methods of work of the United Nations so as to make them more transparent. Furthermore, it is important to guarantee the effectiveness of the mechanisms and means of ensuring implementation of the decisions of United Nations organs. In recent years, the General Assembly has adopted numerous resolutions, and important global strategies have been defined in various forums under the aegis of the United Nations, aimed at solving problems afflicting all humankind.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

21. “More than ever before, we need to think about the objectives and role of the United Nations, as set out in the Charter, and focus on that task. The process of restructuring the United Nations should lead the Organization to an arrangement that reflects the new challenges we face in the world at this time and that would allow for the broad participation of its Members. We are convinced that the present structure of the United Nations — and in particular that of the Security Council — does not meet the present needs of post-cold-war international relations. Apart from the restructuring undertaken in the agencies that coordinate economic and social development worldwide, priority should be given to the restructuring of the Security Council, whose composition continues to be a reflection of the cold war.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

22. “In fact, although the changes that took place in the wake of the cold war led to a certain easing in international relations and promoted, as never before, democratic values, the international situation nevertheless has continued to deteriorate in recent times in the political, economic, social and financial spheres. Conflicts of all sorts proliferate, affecting principally the countries of the so-called third world and creating a climate of uncertainty as to the future of humankind. As we approach the twenty-first century, we face new and greater challenges that will necessitate joint, 12 concerted action by the Members of the United Nations. This will require a new democratic structure in international relations, in the broadest sense.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

23. “The fiftieth session of the General Assembly, which coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, provides us with an opportunity to engage in profound reflection on the extent to which we have moved forward towards the realization of its main goals, inter alia, preservation of international peace and security, promotion and protection of human rights, and economic and social development, with a view to looking more optimistically and more boldly at the challenges which lie ahead on the eve of the twenty-first century.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

24. “I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing my appreciation to the outgoing President, Mr. Amara Essy, for the dedication and interest with which he carried out the activities of the Assembly during his mandate. Similarly, I address my remarks to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who has tenaciously done everything, to find the very best solutions for the problems afflicting humanity, pledging to provide our Organization with the dynamism needed to face future challenges.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

25. “Permit me at the outset, Sir, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Angola and of my entire delegation that is accompanying me, to express my satisfaction at your election to the presidency of this session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. We are convinced that your excellent personal qualities and the diplomatic skill you have accumulated will guarantee the success of the conduct of the work of this significant session. Your election is also well-deserved recognition of the important contribution which your country has made to the promotion of peace and international security. I assure you, at this stage, of the cooperation of my delegation. We commit ourselves to doing everything to support this arduous but honourable task with humility and a sense of responsibility.”

    1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)

26. “The Government’s scarce resources are insufficient to meet the dramatic socio-humanitarian situation of the people being rescued from the captivity of UNITA. Members have had the opportunity to see on television the real situation in Kuito and elsewhere. The Government of Angola has always been committed to delivering humanitarian assistance to all the needy regardless of where they may be, and requests that pressure be exerted on UNITA not to hamper the efforts to distribute relief supplies to the population and the work of non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies which with great sacrifice are involved in humanitarian assistance to Angola. I reiterate our best wishes for the success of this forty-ninth session of the General Assembly.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

27. “The Government is engaged in stopping the UNITA military offensive, with the aim of halting the kind of events that occurred before the signing of the Bicesse Accords, in order to ensure that a military advantage not be obtained while the Lusaka Accord was being signed. We should not enable UNITA to obstruct the full implementation of the Accord. We want UNITA to become a political party, to be prepared to live in democracy and to respect the existing constitution, which is the result of a difficult national consensus which UNITA itself joined in and which it amended before it was approved by the Parliament. 45 Finally, we would like to send a strong appeal to the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to the needy people.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

28. “In this context it is necessary to anticipate the sending of the component of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) immediately after the signing of the agreement. Please allow me to reiterate before this Assembly that it is the firm commitment of the Government of the Republic of Angola not to spare any effort in the search for a negotiated solution to the crisis in Angola and that it is not our intention to destroy UNITA militarily. Contrary to information which has been circulated recently accusing the Government of launching a military offensive against UNITA, we have to say that the truth is completely different.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

29. “Our insistence on pressure is based on our desire that the relative progress made in Lusaka be irreversible, as it is only a step along the difficult path to peace and its consolidation, to the promotion of the country’s unity and national reconciliation, and to the defence of legality and democracy. Therefore, the international community, and the Security Council in particular, must be prepared to act immediately as soon as an agreement is reached in Lusaka in order to avoid any pretexts for non-compliance. There must not be a substantial interval between the signing of the agreement in Lusaka and the re-establishment of the cease-fire, on the one hand, and the beginning of the implementation of the Lusaka agreement, or understandings on the other; this will avoid violations.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

30. “Today the Government already controls more than 75 per cent of the territory and 90 per cent of the population. We are convinced that if this pressure is maintained UNITA, which knows only the language of the force of weapons, might engage in a constructive and honest dialogue. In this context we once again urge the international community to continue exercising its various forms of pressure on UNITA’s militaristic wing so that an agreement is reached in Lusaka to put a definitive end to the war and to restore peace and harmony among the Angolan people. We are not aiming at a military victory. We want an agreement that can bring lasting peace and pave the way to national reconciliation.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

31. “The people of Angola and the international community expressed their satisfaction at the fact that UNITA has finally accepted the mediators’ package of proposals, for this constitutes an important step towards peace and national reconciliation. It is none the less true that UNITA accepted this package of proposals by the mediators only because of pressure from the international community and, first and foremost, from the Security Council through its numerous resolutions, in particular resolutions 864 (1993) and 932 (1994), which advocated the imposition of sanctions against UNITA if its leadership did not demonstrate good faith about the conclusion of an agreement; and, also because on the military front there had been a clear reversal of the situation.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

32. “It is important that we should once again express our sincere gratitude to the Government of His Excellency President Chiluba for his generosity and patience in receiving the Angolan people in his country and for his positive action, albeit discreet and unofficial. We also reiterate our appreciation of the important role played by the troika of observers - Portugal, Russia and the United States of America - and for the committed way in which the Secretary-General’s special representative, Mr. Allioune Beye, has conducted the negotiations in Lusaka. Mr. Beye’s knowledge of the Angolan situation is our guarantee of a rapid conclusion to the talks.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

33. “In some areas controlled by the Government, people and goods cannot always circulate freely, owing to mines and to the acts of 44 terrorism and banditry perpetrated by UNITA’s military wing. The difficult situation that I have just described must continue to command the attention of the international community if the people and the legitimate Government are to be helped to re-establish peace throughout the country. As those present in this Hall know, on 15 November last, following the failure of our attempts to establish a dialogue, from Namibia to Addis Ababa and Abidjan, the Government of Angola initiated the negotiations of Lusaka. These were mediated by the United Nations and were observed by Portugal, Russia and the United States of America, whose endeavour has contributed to the consensus in the negotiators’ position.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

34. “In spite all the efforts of the Angolan Government and of the international community, and as a result of this war, imposed on the people of Angola by the militaristic wing of Mr. Savimbi’s UNITA, Angola faces a rather sombre future - one dangerously similar to those of the countries that I have already mentioned. The present situation in my country is characterized by the extreme poverty of the people, who, having fled the war zones in order to save their lives, have become refugees in their own land. In Angola there are currently 3.75 million displaced persons, more than 500,000 mutilated people and thousands of orphaned children and abandoned elderly folk. In addition, almost of the country’s all economic infrastructures have been destroyed.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

35. “Representatives will probably recall that, following UNITA’s rejection of the results of the democratic elections in 1992, which the international community monitored and judged to have been free and fair, UNITA resorted to war, with the objective of taking power by force of arms, contrary to the spirit of the Bicesse Accord, of which this Organization is a signatory and which served as the basis for the electoral process. The situation created by the resumption of war rapidly degenerated into a real catastrophe, jeopardizing the country’s territorial integrity and forcing the legitimate government to take defensive measures to prevent the realization of UNITA’s intentions.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

36. “The fact that the world’s population is now 5.5 billion and that the majority of these people live in absolute poverty convinces us of the urgent need to adopt, during the forthcoming World Summit for Social Development, a concerted plan of action calling for measures to counter the increasing deterioration in their social condition. We therefore reiterate our firm belief in the legitimacy of the goals set out in the document entitled "African Common Position on Human and Social Development in Africa". Having made a few comments on the main problems that affect all of us in one way or another, I should like to make a brief reference to the situation in my country.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

37. “In the fight against trade barriers, these bodies create enormous opportunities for developing countries to participate in the development of the world market. The heavy and painful burden of external debt dating back to 1982 leads us to believe that the efforts of all are necessary if we are to find medium- and long-term solutions. Equally, special attention must be given to the issues of sustainable development. This necessarily implies implementation of the objectives of the Rio summit and the honouring of commitments assumed thereafter by the industrialized countries. The data included in the reports presented to the Cairo Conference on Population and Development demonstrate that the social situation throughout the world is assuming almost alarming proportions.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

38. “We therefore encourage the continuance of dialogue between the two countries towards the resolution of their differences within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations. The international strategy for development for the years 1991-2000, which was adopted in December 1991, brought hope to the international community, which has regarded the effective implementation of this new strategy as the solution to the socio-economic problems of our planet. Today, three years having elapsed, a certain scepticism is shaking our initial convictions. The Republic of Angola considers that the role played by the international economic institutions - bodies such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Trade Organization and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - is of vital importance.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

39. “The current situation in Cuba, following the tightening of the economic embargo, should be one of the main concerns at this session of the General Assembly, as its direct victims are the populations of island. The General Assembly’s adoption of resolutions 47/19 and 48/16 clearly demonstrates that the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba is contrary to the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. For this reason, and in particular because of the extraterritorial application of that unilateral measure, Angola condemns it. As we add our voice to those of all who seek an end to the embargo imposed against Cuba we are convinced that only through dialogue - never by adopting drastic and inhuman measures such as I have mentioned - can disputes be resolved.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

40. “The international community has witnessed the serious and persistent violations of human-rights to which the suffering people of East Timor have been subjected. Angola considers that there is a fundamental problem to be resolved first. Here, I refer to decolonization and to respect for the rights of the peoples of this territory - mainly, their right to self-determination. We therefore urge the Government of Indonesia to recognize the legitimate right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and independence and to cooperate 43 with Portugal, as the administering Power, and with the United Nations towards fulfilment of the wishes of the Maubere people.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

41. “In Bosnia and Herzegovina, in spite of the enormous efforts by the international community to restore peace, profound differences still remain, and this contributes to the continuation of the conflict. We therefore urge the parties and the international community to continue their efforts to find a lasting solution that is acceptable to the parties involved. Finally, we salute the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for its efforts to that end. With regard to the Korean peninsula, Angola encourages the efforts towards reunification and salutes the positive signs registered in the dialogue between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America. Angola is following with concern the situation in East Timor.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

42. “We consider that the international community should continue to play an important role in solving the crisis in Rwanda and in maintaining the peace and tranquillity of its peoples. In Somalia, in spite of the commitment demonstrated by the international community, we do not foresee an end to the armed conflict in the near future, because of the lack of consensus between the parties involved. Angola considers that our Organization should continue to assume its responsibility in the maintenance of world peace and security, which are threatened in that part of Africa, and we appeal to the common sense of the parties to cooperate with the United Nations in the efforts to re-establish peace in that country.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

43. “In Liberia, we are encouraged by the positive developments and by the dialogue that is taking place between the parties involved. Angola encourages the continuation of such dialogue and urges the parties to truly commit themselves to the search for a lasting peace. With regard to Western Sahara, Angola urges the parties involved to apply the United Nations peace plan strictly and to adhere scrupulously to the mechanisms established for that purpose, which have the full support of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and we encourage the parties to enter into direct dialogue to facilitate progress. In Rwanda, the easing of political and military upheavals notwithstanding, a precarious socio- humanitarian situation prevails. Angola expresses its solidarity with the brotherly people of Rwanda.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

44. “Angola, which was the main victim of innumerable attacks, suffering enormous loss of human life and destruction of social and economic infrastructures, because of the support we gave to the brotherly people of South Africa, has reason to ask here and now whether the resolutions of this Assembly and of the Security Council regarding compensation to my country will now be implemented. In Mozambique, we welcome and encourage the Government’s commitment to organize democratic elections, and we urge RENAMO and other political forces to respond with an equal commitment to the success of the process, leading to lasting peace in that country. However, the United Nations, in particular, and the international community, in general, have an important role to play in ensuring the attainment of the main objectives: peace, democracy and prosperity.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

45. “We encourage the Government of Israel to continue the contacts already initiated with the countries of the region with a view to achieving peace and harmony in the area. In southern Africa, we laud the courage and determination of the people of South Africa, which led to the fall of the inhuman and anachronistic apartheid regime. Today we rejoice to see the people of South Africa free at last. We again greet the new South Africa, led by President Mandela, this different South Africa, which emerged from a democratic election, whose results were accepted by all the political forces in the country. We warmly congratulate the new South African authorities and welcome them to our Organization. We also pay tribute to the peoples of southern Africa, who made so many sacrifices before toppling the dreadful apartheid regime.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

46. “In the Middle East, for example, the determination of the Palestinian people and the political courage of the present Government of Israel have contributed to the climate of reduced tension that led to the historic agreement, signed in Washington, for the autonomy of Gaza and Jericho - territories illegally occupied in the past. We appeal to the international community to make every effort to ensure strict compliance with the agreement, and success for it, by providing all possible help to the Palestinian people for the reconstruction and socio-economic development of the embryonic Palestinian State. 42 It would not be immoderate to once again hail the courage and determination demonstrated by President Yasser Arafat and by Mr. Shimon Peres.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

47. “With respect to human rights, the United Nations should continue to play an active role in order to prevent their continuing to be jeopardized. The recent establishment of the post of High Commissioner for human rights by the General Assembly was an important step forward in this sense. The Republic of Angola reaffirms that human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal, and that their promotion and protection should be ensured on the basis of equality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. The human rights issue cannot and should not be used as a political weapon or a pretext for interference in the internal affairs of States. Angola follows with interest and satisfaction the positive developments taking place in some regions of the world, where solutions are being found to conflicts that had seemed endless.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

48. “Similar problems are occurring in many other parts of the world, which indicates the need for an immediate intensification of efforts by the international community, and in particular for increased participation by the United Nations, to find a negotiated, just and acceptable formula to protect the legitimate interests of peoples. The United Nations must define universal guidelines to prevent the application of differing criteria to the solution of various conflicts. In other words, in order to maintain the credibility of our Organization, all crises and conflicts must be given fair and equal treatment. This underlines the urgent need to restructure United Nations procedures in order to make the existing mechanisms for the prevention and management of conflicts compatible with the realities of our time.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

49. “With the end of the cold war and ideological confrontation, the African continent has witnessed during the past five years a vast expansion of democracy, which has contributed to the revival of hope for the prosperity and well-being of the African peoples, still suffering the economic backwardness bequeathed by colonialism. However, Africa continues to be the continent most affected by the proliferation of war and political instability. It is sufficient to mention as examples the conflicts in Rwanda, Somalia, Liberia, Burundi and my own country.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)

50. “I also wish to express the profound gratitude of the people and Government of the Republic of Angola to the Secretary-General for his skill, energy and tenacity, and for all his efforts in the search for solutions to the innumerable and serious problems afflicting the peoples of our planet. The history we are witnessing today clearly shows a flagrant betrayal of many peoples’ expectations of a better world following the end of the cold war. We had all hoped for, and anticipated, life in a better world of peace and prosperity. Instead, we are witnessing the proliferation of internal conflicts, with such tragic consequences, and we see no visible signs of any immediate satisfactory and lasting solutions, despite the efforts of this Organization.”

    1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)