YouSaid · the spoken record

João Bernardo de MIRANDA

lines on the record: 89
first: 2001-09-24
most recent: 2008-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We would like to believe that such treatment is not the result of any form of discrimination against our country. There is no example in modern history of a State, rich or poor, that, in the aftermath of a devastating and destructive war such as that which afflicted Angola, has managed to overcome the burden left by such a war and rise again without outside assistance. In Angola, this reconstruction effort has, up to now, been borne solely by the Angolans themselves, in spite of the reiterated promises that the only factor that hindered the supply of aid to our reconstruction was the pacification of our country. We hereby renew, therefore, our appeal to the international community to help Angola in its domestic reconstruction effort.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The main challenges include the resettlement of more than 4 million displaced persons and 450,000 refugees; the social reintegration of more than 80,000 former military personnel and their respective families; the resolution of the problem of absolute poverty, which now afflicts more than half of the Angolan population; and the reconstruction of the social and economic infrastructure. At the same time, in spite of the scarcity of available resources, we are creating the necessary conditions to hold elections in the near future. Despite our numerous problems and challenges, there is hardly any assistance from the international community for Angola, as compared with other countries in similar circumstances, some of which received an immediate response to their appeals, even though they lacked de jure institutions.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“As a result of the impact of the conflict on the human, economic, social and financial structures of the country, and given the inequities inherited from our colonial past, the current post-conflict stage — which will lead to the building of a new society in Angola — is a difficult and painful one, and this has been an obvious impediment to an immediate response to the legitimate aspirations of Angolan citizens. The challenges that confront Angola are enormous — perhaps immeasurable.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“With the attainment of peace in Angola, the Southern African region became, for the first time in several decades, a zone free from conflict, and it can now focus its human and material resources on reconstruction and development efforts. Angola today is a country in its post-conflict stage. It is committed to the tasks of overcoming the heavy burden of a 40-year conflict, focusing on the strengthening of its democratic process — which even during the difficult war period was never abandoned by the Government — and fully resuming its legitimate role within the regional and international context.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The rekindling of violence between Palestinians and Israelis represents the greatest danger to the implementation of the road map for peace, whose ultimate objective is the signing of an agreement for the creation of an independent, viable Palestinian State, living side by side and in peace with Israel and its other neighbours. In our view, that is the only solution capable of putting a definite end to the cycle of violence. The end, last year, of the armed conflict in Angola, and the success of the peace process, are among the most extraordinary political achievements seen in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The achievement of this goal implies the establishment of a political and institutional framework in which the United Nations plays an active role, specifically in the pacification and unification of the country; in the internal political dialogue; in the process of national reconciliation; and in the establishment of new democratic institutions. 34 Angola hopes that the present convergence of positions among the members of the Security Council on the role of the United Nations in Iraq will facilitate an understanding relative to the transitional process in general and to the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people. Angola deplores the loss of civilian life and the material damage caused by the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The continued loss of life in Iraq — with most of those killed being innocent civilians, including United Nations officials, among them the late Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Sergio Vieira de Mello — is a reminder of the need for increased support by the international community to ensure the security of the Iraqi people, the building of new institutions and the beginning of the reconstruction of the country. The will of the international community, and certainly that of the Iraqi people, is for Iraq to become, as soon as possible, a viable, democratic State with institutions validated by its people, and a country living in peace with its neighbours.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The international legal documents created by the United Nations, and the current alliances between States, have proved insufficient to respond adequately and in a consensual manner to such threats, particularly when they are posed by entities that are not themselves States. Because of its universal nature, the United Nations plays a central role in the management of current and future challenges. But that is not enough. It is crucial that that role be performed within a more democratic and participative framework, particularly with regard to major decisions on international peace and security. Iraq and other parts of the Middle East are the main hotbeds of tension in the world today, and the combined efforts of the United Nations are being focused on that region.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“It is also a consequence of factors such as the fragility of national institutions, the marginalization of the African continent from the world economy, the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the resulting arms proliferation, and the weak monitoring of national borders. This situation must be swiftly reversed, since it can endanger the future of millions of Africans and increase the risk of certain areas of the continent’s becoming true sanctuaries for terrorist organizations. Improving United Nations political institutions and security systems constitutes the most effective method of addressing the threats facing humankind. It is therefore necessary to establish new mechanisms outside of the traditional strategic doctrines.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Terrorism is today the most direct threat to the security of our countries, as can be seen from the attacks that in the past two years have killed thousands of civilians in the United States, Russia, Africa and Asia. With regard to armed conflicts, the situation continues to require urgent attention. During the last decade, approximately one third of African States were either directly or indirectly affected by internal conflicts, which resulted in costs as high as $15 billion a year, and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, massive displacements of people, famine and malnutrition, and the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of conflicts in Africa is not only the result of the divisions inherited from the post- colonial period and the cold war and of ethnic and religious differences.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“In fact, the present international security system, created after the last great war — despite having to date prevented the outbreak of a new world conflict — has shown signs of an incompatibility in the global collective security interests of the Members of the United Nations in relation to the new challenges of this millennium. We are in urgent need of an integrated system capable of dealing effectively with the major threats to international stability at the outset of this twenty-first century, specifically terrorism and international organized crime; weapons of mass destruction; internal conflicts, which, unfortunately, continue to plague the African continent in particular; generalized poverty; and HIV/AIDS.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“I would like to start by congratulating Mr. Julian Hunte on his 33 election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-eight session. We wish him great success in the fulfilment of this difficult and lofty task. The current session is taking place at one of the most troubled times in our era. The recent events in the Gulf region were a severe test of the capacity and readiness of the United Nations to provide appropriate responses to the challenges presently faced by the international community. The impact of these events somehow diminished the cohesion of our world Organization and weakened trust among its Members. There was a failure in the international security system, which puts us in the position of needing immediately to make it more effective.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The establishment of the New Partnership for Africa's Development reflects the determination of African Governments to resolve the problems of economic backwardness, poverty and social exclusion that afflict the majority of their peoples and the continuing marginalization of Africa from international markets in terms of capital, services and goods. Angola hopes that the international community, especially donor nations, will lend Africa a helping hand by increasing official development assistance on the basis of fair and non-discriminatory criteria. In closing, allow me to offer my hearty congratulations to Switzerland as it joins our family of members of the United Nations.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We urge the parties to return to the negotiating table and to find a political settlement that will serve the best interests of all peoples living in the region and meet their security requirements. Last July, the African States established the African Union as a more effective tool to help in the resolution of innumerable problems that are at the root of underdevelopment, such as poverty, foreign debt, lack of know-how and epidemics, among others. Our priority is to end the current economic stagnation in Africa.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The instability in some parts of the world requires a greater measure of commitment by the United 23 Nations and the parties concerned for peace and security. Special attention should continue to be focused on the settlement of the Somali conflict, fostering unification of the country and consolidation of lasting peace there. In Western Sahara, we are concerned at delays in the process towards a referendum by those resident in the territory. Angola urges the parties involved to show flexibility and to continue cooperating with the United Nations and the African Union towards a negotiated settlement. In the Middle East, renewed escalation of the violence may hamper current initiatives towards a peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue and the termination of Arab-Israeli crisis.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“This was seen as a crucial step for the complete settlement of the Congolese conflict and for the establishment of good neighbourly relations between the two countries. Angola welcomes the diplomatic initiatives undertaken by other countries to resolve the conflict, whether or not they are involved in the conflict, under the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and the understandings reached by the Congolese parties themselves. Angola advocates a new regional order of peace, security, cooperation and development, to be based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States, democratic values and respect for human rights. We are willing to work together with other central and southern African countries and to offer them our good offices.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In these bodies, Angola intends to contribute actively towards an environment of stability, fostering the development and economic welfare of our peoples. Of central concern to Angola is the issue of peace in Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Only over time will it be possible to avert the widespread destabilization of the region. Angola has been a factor of stability in Central Africa, having contributed substantially to the cessation of the wave of violence and to the relative peace now enjoyed by the population in the area. In the context of these efforts, and under Angola's aegis, the Presidents of the DRC and Uganda signed an agreement in Luanda on 6 September.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“On behalf of my Government, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to thank the Secretary- General, members of the troika of observer nations in the peace process and all those who, in various ways, have contributed to the achievement of peace in Angola and who have pledged their assistance to solve the problems caused by the recently ended war. Now at peace, Angola is more than ever ready and willing to take up its role as a sister nation of Africa and of the world. In the coming days, it will assume the presidency of the Southern Africa Development Community, the most important regional organization for the economic integration of southern Africa. Angola is also a candidate for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council in the elections scheduled for this session of the General Assembly.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In Angola, the process of economic and social rehabilitation is well under way and Government institutions have begun to operate normally throughout our national territory. Clearly, given the current situation, it will be difficult for the Angolan Government to rise appropriately to the nation's economic and social challenges. Our main challenge now lies in the reintegration into society of thousands of combat veterans, 4 million displaced persons, refugees and thousands upon thousands of handicapped, war orphans and widows.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“For the first time since our independence, Angola and Angolans are now enjoying a climate of authentic peace, thanks to the allaying of factors that could have provoked a resurgence of the past war and insecurity. The efforts of the Angolan Government have blazed the trail from a fratricidal war towards irreversible peace, thanks to the goodwill and profound patriotic spirit demonstrated by all Angolans. Military hostilities effectively ended seven months ago. The peace understandings reached on 4 April have been scrupulously adhered to. Armed political parties no longer exist. Today, there is just one single army, under the authority of the Angolan Government. The peace process will soon be concluded with the completion of the political tasks still pending under the Lusaka Protocol.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“All these advances underscore the fact that, in spite of their complexity, the serious problems that afflict our world today can be resolved. No country or region should be doomed to live forever under the scourge of war and terror or be deprived of its rights. Under the auspices of the United Nations, the international community must react to crisis situations expeditiously and effectively. Experience has shown that belated and ineffectual reactions lead to the escalation of protracted and intractable conflicts, especially in Africa. Fortunately, however, the individual and collective efforts of many Governments in Africa are now easing these tensions, laying the essential bases for a solid, just and lasting peace. The current situation in Angola is a reflection of that reality.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Countries such as Angola, which have actively advocated the legitimate rights and interests of East Timor at the United Nations, take great pleasure in welcoming that new sister republic to the family of this world Organization. Important advances were also made by the international community in the struggle against terrorism. Thanks to a global and coordinated effort, major terrorist networks have been dismembered. Angola reiterates its strong condemnation of terrorist acts, such as that perpetrated against the American 22 people in September last year. Angola continues to be committed to the strict implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001). We support stronger control measures, particularly in the financial area, so as increasingly to curb the scope of action of terrorist groups.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Allow me, on behalf of my Government and in my own name, to salute Mr. Kavan on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly. We are convinced that his knowledge and diplomatic experience will guide us to success in our activities. As the international situation remains caught in the throes of instability, insecurity, economic backwardness and the scourge of pandemics and hunger, we nevertheless note with pleasure the great progress that has been made since our last session. After decades of conflict, peace was finally restored throughout southern Africa and is now slowly becoming a reality in other regions. The people of East Timor were finally able to assert their self- determination and independence.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Economic progress can be achieved in Africa through the promotion of trade among its nations, the establishment of healthy economic conditions and good governance, fighting regional threats — including conflicts and endemic diseases — and welcoming capital inflows. We hope that NEPAD will become a force for political stabilization and economic development in African countries, particularly those affected by serious divisions. The International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, must be an opportunity to mobilize resources for development, particularly for the 49 least developed countries, 34 of which are in Africa, and to alleviate the extreme poverty under which more than 600 million people are now living.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The international economic recession will have a major impact on developing countries, and on Africa in particular, which has already suffered the effects of globalization. Of course, African countries cannot avoid globalization. But to engage in cooperative and collective activities, African nations must be based in strong States, something that hardly exists in the continent. In the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the countries of the continent have found a way to break away from stagnation and to promote inter-African cooperation and achieve development. Angola is engaged in the New Partnership.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We therefore appeal to the parties to continue their dialogue and to abide by the agreements they signed and by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. Angola is pleased with the advances achieved by the fraternal people of East Timor in their struggle for the right to self-determination and independence. The political, moral and diplomatic support that Angola and other members of the international community have been providing through the years in major international forums was decisive in enabling the people of the territory to reach a point where they can finally choose their destiny in freedom. The Timorese are now preparing to proclaim the birth of a new, independent, sovereign and democratic nation, but they will continue to need the support of the United Nations for the consolidation of their institutions.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“My Government encourages the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to persist in their efforts in that direction. The international community should not forget the problems of Somalia. The establishment of a Transitional National Government is an important step on the way to a peaceful resolution of the internal conflict there. Both the United Nations and the OAU should support that step in order that Somalia can return to its rightful place in the community of nations. Angola is also concerned with the deterioration of the peace process in the Middle East, which has resulted from the recent intensification of the violence. We believe that a resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine will require negotiations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We are hopeful that proper preparation of the inter-Congolese dialogue will lead to a substantive discussion of the relevant questions regarding the political future of the country. As regards Burundi, Angola salutes the establishment of a transitional Government, which is a direct outcome of the Pretoria agreement, for which the mediation efforts of former President Nelson Mandela 24 were so crucial. We hope this step will soon lead to peace and stability in Burundi and good-neighbourly relations with bordering countries. With regard to Western Sahara, Angola thinks it is necessary to find a solution acceptable to both parties that makes it possible to overcome the barriers to the implementation of a plan to resolve the conflict.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Angola is firmly committed to a search for peace in the Great Lakes region, and particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are pleased with the positive results achieved lately by the peace process. In general terms, the ceasefire has been adhered to and foreign troops have been withdrawn. Angola, for example, has withdrawn 75 per cent of its troops. Namibia has completed its withdrawal, and both Zimbabwe and Uganda have started to repatriate their respective armies. Only Rwanda has not yet taken any step to signal its willingness to withdraw its forces, and therefore to fulfil its basic obligation as a signatory to the Lusaka Agreement and the obligations of the pertinent resolutions of the Security Council.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The resulting obligations on the Member States prevail over any inconsistent obligation to which they might be subject by virtue of any other treaty or international agreement to which they are, or may become, party. That principle should also be applied with regard to sanctions against UNITA. The Angolan Government considers inconsistent the arguments put forward by certain Governments — some of which have a privileged relationship with Angola — of a supposed incompatibility between their internal legislation and Security Council resolutions. We appeal to those countries to reverse their position and to take the measures required. This, we believe, will contribute to the development of harmonious bilateral relationships with Angola.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“That outcome clearly demonstrates the efficacy of the sanctions as a means, and not as an end in themselves. That is why my Government favours keeping and tightening them until peace becomes irreversible in Angola. Nevertheless, my Government is still concerned with the findings of United Nations reports, according to which not all countries have fully adopted measures called for by the sanctions resolutions. The Security Council resolutions on sanctions against UNITA were adopted in accordance with the powers given to the Council by the United Nations Charter. All nations are legally obligated to abide by and implement those resolutions.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“As a result of a long period of war, Angola still needs the support of the international community in its effort to alleviate the problems of poverty, displaced persons and refugees, and to rebuild its infrastructure. The environment of relative peace would not be possible without the help of the international community, which has made the distinction between those who are committed to peace and democracy and the proponents of war, and has imposed Security Council sanctions against UNITA’s militarist wing led by Jonas Savimbi. The most visible effect of these sanctions has been their contribution to a significant reduction of Savimbi’s capacity to wage war and, as a result, to persuade a great number of UNITA members to give up their weapons and join the peace effort.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Although they can make isolated armed attacks, they do not represent a threat anymore to Angolan democratic institutions or to the safety of most of our population. My Government believes that the Lusaka Protocol continues to be a valid formula for resolving problems related to peace and national reconciliation in Angola. The climate of peace that is starting to prevail is having favourable repercussions on the country’s economy. Although considerable distortions and weaknesses still exist, reform efforts under way can help overcome serious social problems and enable general elections to be held in the near future in a truly democratic environment.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This legal instrument could eliminate some of the ambiguities still surrounding the definition of this phenomenon. 23 My Government is firmly committed to peace in Angola, the African continent and the world as a whole. After a period of uncertainty, peace is slowly becoming an irreversible reality in Angola. The regular forces of UNITA’s militarist wing, which had launched a large-scale military campaign to seize power, have been completely neutralized. Counties under their illegal control have been liberated and the Angolan Government now controls the entire national territory. Large numbers of rebel soldiers and officers surrendering their weapons and being integrated into Angolan society is now a daily event. Today UNITA’s military wing has only small groups, inadequately armed in the jungle or in remote areas of our large territory.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“As to the African continent, we believe measures to combat terrorism should particularly address its sources of financing, such as the illicit diamond, drug and weapons traffic, and identify its networks in order to prevent the free circulation of its members. In partnership with some countries, Angola has developed an international diamond certification system that has prevented diamonds originating from illegal traffic to reach international markets. Thus, we have helped prevent the financing of terrorist groups and their activities in many countries of our continent. At this stage, the struggle against terrorism requires that, beyond the measures encompassed by Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), special attention be devoted to the completion of an international convention against terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Angola reiterates its firm condemnation of the 11 September terrorist attacks, which victimized thousands of innocent civilians and endorses the use of force to eliminate terrorist networks and their support bases. Having been subjected to terrorism for many years, Angola is pleased to join all other States in this anti-terrorist campaign. In this context, we have joined the other members of the Southern Africa Development Council to promote a forum to discus and identify the many faces of terrorism, as well as effective means to prevent and fight its activities in and from our region.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The United Nations must also endeavour to implement the action plans and recommendations adopted over the last decade, with a view to resolving problems in the areas of HIV/AIDS, social development, human rights, racism and racial discrimination, as well as terrorism. At the last session of the General Assembly, my Government voted in favour of resolution 55/158, on measures to eliminate international terrorism. We continue to believe that its implementation will be essential to fighting this enemy. Terrorism is an international scourge with many faces. No country is immune to this heinous evil, and to fight it, we must cooperate at the bilateral, regional and international levels, under the leadership of the United Nations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Extreme poverty and misery still affect large numbers of the world population, especially in my continent, where one fourth of our 800 million inhabitants survive on less than $1 per day. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, now affecting more than 36 million people, most of them economically active people, may seriously threaten the economic development and future of many societies unless urgent measures are taken. To face these and many other challenges, the United Nations must continue to improve its internal structure, including the Security Council, whose membership must be reconsidered to allow for a more equitable geographic balance. In addition, its working methods should be restructured to ensure effective implementation of its decisions.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Allow me to start by congratulating you, Mr. President, on behalf of my Government and myself, on your election to the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly. Your election is an acknowledgement of the many contributions made by the Republic of Korea to United Nations efforts to maintain international peace and security, as well as to promote the economic and social development of our peoples. This session is being held during a period of major challenges to our Organization and the international community in general. Peace and security continue to be endangered by many armed conflicts, particularly in Africa, as well as by terrorist activities launched systematically or sporadically against some countries.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)