YouSaid · the spoken record

Fatos Nano

lines on the record: 48
first: 1997-09-24
most recent: 2004-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“To that end, Albania has modestly presented for the first time its candidacy to become a member of the Economic and Social Council for the period 2005-2007. We hope we shall succeed. A few weeks ago, the whole world witnessed the successful conclusion of the Olympic Games in Athens. Gathered around the Olympic torch, sportsmen and women demonstrated how closely nations can stand with one another and how we can get rid of hatred and conflict from our midst. Let the symbol of Olympic peace and fraternity help us to build a better, more secure world for us and for generations to come.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We therefore think that the time has come to have a more representative, more transparent and more flexible Security Council that could better reflect current realities. Its enlargement with permanent and non-permanent members would increase the possibilities for all States Members of the United Nations to contribute to the preservation of international peace and stability. It would be a significant step towards the completion of United Nations reform. My country is willing to contribute further to the activities of the United Nations, especially in the global and regional agendas related to sustainable economic and social development and the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights universally.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Current developments and realities in the international arena, and the acute problems and challenges we are all facing ó such as preserving peace and security, facing the threats and dangers of terrorism, the fight against poverty and fatal diseases, the effects of globalization and environmental degradation ó have increasingly sharpened the need to revitalize our Organization. The Albanian Government is fully supportive of the efforts of the Secretary- General to reform the Organization, in particular the initiatives taken regarding the reform of the Security Council. We join with the voices that call for a stronger United Nations and for more efficient organs and mechanisms engaged in monitoring the implementation of obligations by United Nations Member States, in particular those concerning global security.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We are convinced that the Security Council, the Quartet and the international community have the authority and the capacity to establish a stable peace in Palestine and throughout the Middle East based on the Security Councilís resolutions and the road map. The international community should continue to monitor closely the implementation of the road map in order to avoid any deviation from or change, misinterpretation or blocking of it by the parties to the conflict.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“My Government also follows with great concern the developments in the Middle East. Like the whole international community, we hope to see an end put to the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, where violence towards the civilian population is increasingly claiming innocent lives, especially those of women and children. On the other hand, we condemn any terrorist act against the civilian population, irrespective of whose name it is committed in. The Albanian Government strongly believes that peace can and should be achieved only through dialogue and negotiation.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The progress made in Iraq is due to the cooperation between the Iraqi Government forces and those of the Coalition. We would wish, however, to see a further lowering of tensions and a full stop to violence. We would wish for increased security, more stability and the establishment of a democratic society. That is why we strongly condemn the strategy of violence and hostage-taking to achieve political goals, sometimes cloaked under a religious veil, and we join our voice to those of all the international actors that have called for an immediate stop to those acts. The Albanian Government supports the efforts of the United Nations to provide the assistance necessary to build national democratic institutions in Iraq and to the holding of free and democratic elections early next year.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“It is only natural that crisis-solving solutions and initiatives in such hot spots around the globe as Iraq, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Sudan and so on remain high on their agenda. We believe that a more active engagement of the international community is required in finding the most suitable and lasting solutions for those crisis situations, as is the further enhancement of the role and effectiveness of the United Nations structures. In that regard, the Albanian Government welcomed the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 1546 (2004) of 8 June on Iraq, approving the 40 provisional Government of Iraq and transferring to it authority and sovereignty, the independence and territorial integrity of Iraq, Iraqi Government control of the armed forces and, in particular, the holding of democratic elections in early 2005.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Albania has, on the other hand, taken all measures for the implementation of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), convinced that this international instrument is extremely important to preventing threats stemming from the misuse of radioactive materials. Albania has already taken the decision and will soon sign the Protocol Additional to the Safeguards Agreement of the IAEA. This year, Albania also joined the Proliferation Security Initiative, with its respective commitments that will create benefits for all. Peace and stability have not been fully established in certain regions of the world. The United Nations and the Security Council are the authorities mandated by the Charter to preserve peace and security globally.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The Albanian Government has been consistently committed to making its contribution as an active member of the international coalition against terrorism. We have peacekeeping troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have signed, ratified and now are implementing 12 United Nations conventions and protocols against terrorism. We are doing the same with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, cooperating with and presenting regular reports to the Council. The Albanian Government salutes the decision of the Security Council to play a more active role in the fight against threats stemming from the possession and trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. We support Security Council resolution 1540 (2004).”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Such hideous and punishable acts, which continued in the following days and months there and in other countries of the world, such as Turkey, Spain, Russia, Indonesia and others, show that terrorism is today the biggest threat to international peace and security, to stability and to the values of world democracy and civilization. In the global effort to combat terrorism, our countries have already understood that, first of all, it cannot be identified with one people, one religion, one race or only certain groups of society. We believe that the fight against terrorism will only be successful if we join efforts. In that context, we support the strengthening of international cooperation among States and international organizations, in which the United Nations has an irreplaceable role.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We also hope that the Serbian minority in Kosovo will assume its responsibilities and, through a free vote, make their contribution to the European future of Kosovo. Their participation in all levels of the democratic institutions of Kosovo would further contribute to the consolidation of peace, stability and the European perspective in the whole region. My Government supports a stimulation of direct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, both on political and technical issues. This is fundamental in resolving the pending problems and is in accordance with the spirit of regional and European integration. The tragic terrorist attack one year ago in Baghdad, which took the lives of 22 people, including United Nations Under-Secretary-General Sergio Vieira de Mello, is still fresh in our memories.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We truly hope that the question of the final status of Kosovo will reach a final solution soon, for the sake of the people of Kosovo and for the enhancement of the Europeanization process of the whole region. In the meantime, we support all efforts to build a democratic and multicultural society in Kosovo that is governed by the rule of law, ethnic and religious tolerance and cohabitation. Particularly helpful in this regard would be the further energizing of UNMIKís transfer of authority to the legitimate institutions of Kosovo that are already being anchored to European integration agendas. We believe that in the upcoming October parliamentary elections, the Albanian and other ethnic communities of Kosovo will demonstrate their best values, taking a major step toward the consolidation of multiethnic democracy in the region.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Albania greatly appreciates the recent democratic and integration developments in Kosovo, thanks to the efforts of the respective peoples and the partnership of its self-governing institutions with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Allow me at this point to congratulate Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, Special Representative for Kosovo of the United Nations Secretary-General, in assuming this very important duty. 39 The Albanian Government shares the view that the time has come for a rapid and coherent implementation of the policy of standards of a multiethnic democracy and European status for Kosovo. This would be the key to the solution of a number of other issues.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“In the context of strengthening regional cooperation, my country is committed to a more enhanced partnership with all regional organizations and initiatives that serve the promotion of good neighbourly relations; the strengthening of regional peace, security and stability; ensuring political support for integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, and attracting financing for national and regional projects in priority fields such as energy, transportation and telecommunications. On its path towards European integration, the South-East European region is still facing pending challenges, such as the future of Kosovo.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We are committed to doing all that is required to ensure that the election process is fully compatible with international standards for free and fair elections. To that end, we are committed to continuing to work with relevant specialized institutions on elections by fully implementing especially OSCE/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) recommendations. For us, the process and standards are more important than the results of the elections.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The regional policy of my Government is guided by the motto: 'the more integrated in the region, the more integrated in Europe.' In implementing this policy, Albania is cooperating as never before with all the countries of the region by making borders less relevant, opening up to one regional market the implementation of free trade agreements and free movement corridors, and stimulating foreign direct investment. We are especially cooperating with the common fight against organized crime and all kinds of illegal trafficking. In the meantime, Albania is reinforcing its border management and control, guided by the European Union and NATO standards. My country will hold general parliamentary elections by the middle of next year.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The Albanian Government is pleased to note that an ever-healthier climate of confidence and relations of bilateral and multilateral cooperation are prevailing in the South-Eastern European region. The countries of the region are fully engaged in a process that will lead us clearly toward Euro-Atlantic integration and at the same time continually remove us from the extremist tendencies that caused a number of conflicts in the last decade.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Albania, as one of the 191 signatory countries of the Millennium Declaration, remains fully committed to implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, which have been properly reflected in a national strategy for social and economic development. The pattern of our sustained economic growth, which is at 6 to 7 per cent for the seventh consecutive year, is a good support base for the whole society to maintain higher standards of respect for human rights and to fight poverty and crime. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United Nations specialized agencies for their valuable assistance in support of the implementation of these objectives nationwide and on a central and local level.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“By adopting contemporary legislation and by becoming a party to other recently adopted international instruments on human rights, Albania has associated itself with countries that are enforcing a number of national strategies and programmes focusing on specific population groups, especially women, children, persons in need and minorities, among others. In recent years, the Albanian Government has started to periodically submit reports to the committees of the six main United Nations human rights treaties and is taking their recommendations into serious consideration. It is our belief that these international mechanisms play a significant and important role as guardians of the common human values we have together adopted.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We remain truly convinced that the respect and protection of human rights and freedoms are the main pillars of a pluralist democratic society. The Government of the Republic of Albania will continue to constantly demonstrate its commitment to a full implementation of the standards enshrined in the United Nations and Council of Europe conventions, as well as the relevant documents of regional organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in which we are playing a very active role. We will continue to do so in the future as well.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Determined to make our contribution to regional and global security, the Albanian Government considers the country's integration into NATO to be one of its major objectives. The NATO Istanbul Summit last June commended the progress made by my country in this regard and encouraged the deepening of reforms. It welcomed Albania's contribution to regional stability and cooperation and committed to assess our further progress at the next NATO summit, which would hopefully mark the start of negotiations for our full membership in the alliance. We believe that the commitments set up in the framework of the Adriatic Charter are also contributing to meet NATO 38 standards, to the benefit of regional stability and security.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“This session of the General Assembly takes place in a milestone year for Europe. Only a few months ago, a historic event vitalized the dream of a more united and stronger Europe. Ten European countries, sharing a common aspiration for integration, were admitted into the European Union. The Albanian Government and society are engaged in an all-round European integration process, and they are carrying out necessary reforms with the necessary political will and drive. Albania is working to strengthen the democratic institutions and capacities of its central and local government with a view to bringing its legislation and conditions into line with European Union standards, progressively achieving concrete and measurable results, as previously defined.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“It is my special pleasure to address the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This universal forum has enabled the peoples of the world to coordinate and harmonize their efforts in preserving peace and security, in achieving prosperity and upholding the values of human civilization. I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on being elected to preside over this august body and to express my confidence in your successful leadership. I would also like, on behalf of Albania, to convey to the Secretary-General our highest appreciation for his leading contribution to the fulfilment of the historical mission of the United Nations and to the aspirations of our peoples for a better world in which only peace, democracy and economic prosperity reign.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“No one can say for sure when, if at all, the Security Council will be reformed again in the future. Therefore, there might still be some work to be done in this direction, without necessarily making haste or getting caught up in endless discussions. With a clear objective, we will be able to show the maturity necessary to give the Council the right, balanced, flexible, democratic representation capable of successfully dealing with the challenges and objective of the next century: to live in peace and harmony; to live in and leave to our children a better world.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We believe it should be our duty to define our needs in order to have reforms that are not only structural. We must ensure that money is saved not as a one-shot exercise but as a long-lasting process with its accent on transfers for the economic development of those who are most in need. We support action in this direction. We have taken very serious note of the work of the Secretary-General for United Nations reform in general, and of his proposals for the reform of the Secretariat. We appreciate his proposals and believe they represent the right approach. The reform of the Security Council is one of the most sensitive issues and is part of the reform package. It took our Organization almost the half century of its existence to come to this point.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In addressing individual concerns, participation and contribution by all members of the community of States, each within its capacity and making available all possible resources, even if modest, will make the Organization more comprehensive and substantive, and its role genuinely more effective. The Organization has started a process aimed at achieving the overall reform of the Organization and its system in order to make the United Nations and its role truly more effective and capable of coping with the new challenges and dynamics of the ever-changing world reality. To do so, all Members should live up to their obligations. We also feel the need for greater efforts to enhance efficiency, which would lead to an enhanced role for the Organization. Reform should not take place for reform’s sake.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“One such objective has already been included in our platform for the reorganization and restructuring of the army. We intend to play a more active role in the activities of main bodies of the Organization, including the Economic and Social Council, the Commission on Human Rights, the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the leading bodies of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and others. Individual concerns should be treated as, and should become, the concerns of all.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The open debate in the Security Council last May on humanitarian crises and the protection of the civilian population was another indication that there is great concern, preparedness and political will to deal with these conflicts at an early stage, before they develop into real crises, thus playing a major preventive role. We all look forward to this. Prevention is the best medicine, because a problem can become very costly to treat and be hard to cure. Albania has tried its best to make a modest contribution to the activities of the United Nations, including the significant fact that we are on the list of countries ready to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Our objective in future is to play an even more active role in this direction, as well as in operations of an international humanitarian character.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Mutual confidence must somehow be restored, as it is the only alternative to ensuring continued progress in the peace negotiations. We are confident that the unsparing and concerted efforts under way will yield the awaited results. We participated in and followed with great interest the nineteenth special session of the General Assembly on the environment and consider it to have made an important contribution to resolving the environmental problems affecting the earth. Similarly, Albania considers the special session on the fight against drugs and related activities, due to be held next year, as another very significant contribution to promoting and further strengthening international cooperation in this highly sensitive field.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Albania is highly appreciative of the efforts, the assistance and the contribution of the Organization with respect to conflict resolution in various parts of the globe. We sincerely wish for peace to be established and reign in all those parts of the earth that are still being shaken by internal or other conflicts. We hope that the role and contribution of the Organization, with its reform programme fully implemented, will be further enhanced in this direction. All Member States should do their 20 utmost to achieve this common objective. By so doing, the lead members will be able to provide better guidance through the United Nations, and all of us will work better together. Albania is fully and unreservedly supportive of the Middle East peace process and of the intensive and ongoing efforts to bring that process back on track.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The Albanian Government is strongly committed to promoting and actively taking part in regional cooperation, knowing that democratization, market economy prosperity, good-neighbourly relations and constructive cooperation are prerequisites for the secure environment and prosperity that our region deserves, as well as for the realization of our country’s aspirations to a gradual but full European integration. Our vision for our region’s future is a Schengen-type approach. We believe that regional initiatives such as the Conference on European Stability, Security and Cooperation in South- Eastern Europe, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and initiatives of the Commonwealth of Independent States, inter alia, are worthy steps that are also contributing to this end.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The General Assembly will hopefully be able to send another message to all those concerned, in particular the people of Kosovo, that the international community continues to be deeply concerned and seized of the matter, that it supports and encourages peaceful approaches, and that it wants to see positive changes in the right direction. My country fully supports all the efforts under way to ensure the full and unequivocal implementation of all the Dayton accords. It considers attempts to circumvent or avoid certain Dayton provisions as dangerous, with implications that could go beyond its scope. We maintain that there is no alternative to the full implementation of Dayton.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We appeal to this global Organization, to European organizations and structures, to those who made a major contribution to ending the war in Bosnia through the Dayton accords and to all those who have the power and the political will to continue to exert the necessary pressure to direct this major pending issue in the Balkans onto the path of negotiation, with proper international mediation, with a view to a just, peaceful and democratic solution acceptable to all. Perhaps a mini Dayton-type conference aimed at solving all the remaining problems of the former Yugoslavia, including and focusing on the Kosovo issue, might do the job by Europeanizing our region, a process that would have to start with a full-scale reactivation of Balkan cooperation.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Unfortunately, the situation there remains the same, and we are not sure how long the status quo can be maintained. Police violence and brutality, massive repression and gross violations of human, political and national rights — which we strongly condemn — continue unabated in Kosovo. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has given no real, concrete sign of changing its attitude, despite three General Assembly resolutions, one Security Council resolution and scores of OSCE decisions and statements.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Inter-linked issues — good relations with neighbouring countries, peace and stability in the region, and the situation in Kosovo and its just solution — should be pursued in a complementary manner, with none of them opposing, undercutting or jeopardizing the others. I should like to say a few words about the situation in Kosovo and how we see its future, because unless this question is dealt with properly and settled accordingly, this serious issue could continue to threaten peace and regional stability. Kosovo has been on the agenda of the international community, and in particular of the General Assembly and the Security Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, for years now.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Like all neighbours, we share not only common borders but also, we hope, common interests and values and a common future. This requires our full participation in the European integration processes, in a common Europe united by these values and not characterized by friction and confrontation. Relations with neighbouring countries and peace and stability in the region are of paramount importance for us. We will continue to work constructively and openly to solve all the pending problems that involve vital national interests for Albania and represent a major concern for the international community. One such question is that of Kosovo.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“On behalf of my Government, I should like to pay tribute to all of the international organizations and financial institutions, from the United Nations and its specialized agencies to the European and Euro-Atlantic bodies as well as individual countries, which have since the beginning of this process shown unstinting interest 19 and commitment in working in their respective areas of responsibility. The main objective of my Government’s foreign policy is directly to contribute to the enhancement of peace, security and stability in our region and in Europe through a gradual integration into all relevant Euro-Atlantic structures. Albania’s past, present and future are closely linked, in a variety of ways, with those of our neighbours.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Albania is determined to go ahead with the democratization processes in general — the rebuilding, establishment and proper functioning of democratic institutions to ensure the true entrenchment of the rule of law in all its dimensions. All of these issues were discussed in Rome at the preparatory meeting for the upcoming ministerial meeting to be held in that city and the donors conference set to take place in Brussels next month. We are prepared for these meetings to begin the implementation of what we have achieved and will agree upon, in close cooperation with the relevant organizations.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Special emphasis is being put on and we have started work towards the reorganization of the army, with the objective of gradually having a smaller, more efficient and professional force under strict civilian control, in conformity with all standards of modern armies, capable of performing its functions properly and of being a genuine partner in partnership activities. Various problems persist in the economic field, where we have witnessed a quasi-paralysis of life and the deterioration of all micro- and macroeconomic indices. In cooperation with and the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, we hope we will be able to deal successfully with the main economic and social priorities. We have already started work in this direction, for both the emergency situation and the mid-long-term perspective.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We do hope and will work to ensure that this process will bring about the necessary transformation of the country into a reliable partner that truly shares common democratic values and qualifies for its gradual but sure integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures it has the objective to achieve. Let me inform the Assembly that our main, urgent challenge remains the restoration of public order and security in the country. Therefore, we have devoted maximum and special attention to it. Lack of public order and security cannot coexist with the development of the economy and democratic values. Intensive work is already under way on the basis of short- and long-term plans.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The coalition Government which emerged from these elections is fully determined to work with a new philosophy based on cooperation and coexistence, on sharing and, at the same time, assuming responsibilities, by the majority and the minority alike. The guiding yardstick will be making maximum use of internal capacities as the best way to ensure continuation of the spirit of understanding, the process of reconciliation, constructive cooperation, economic recovery and the overall return of normalcy to the country in the shortest possible time. This is the spirit we have decided to be guided by, as personified brilliantly by the Albanian famous worldwide, Mother Teresa.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“It is also a reflection of historical lessons learned in today’s efforts to establish a peaceful, democratic and united Europe, without walls and fully free, in which the integration processes should be comprehensive enough not to exclude any country, even the weakest, as Pope John Paul II said. This is the only road to ensuring that the universal principles which this global Organization and others stand for are permanently upheld and defended. The successful holding of elections in Albania on 29 June, which were considered by the international community as adequate and acceptable, can and must be the foundation for a stable democratic system. They showed the strong desire of my people for a democratic future for Albania.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Let me also thank most warmly all the troop- contributing States — France, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Belgium and Slovenia — which, under the excellent leadership and command of Italy, made the entire effort of the Multinational Protection Force a full success in the implementation of its mandate. Last but not least, I would wish to express my deep appreciation and thanks to the European Union and all the other international and regional organizations, the United States of America, as well as to other individual States, for the continuous support and assistance they have given and are giving my country. My people are indebted to them and to all here. This highly appreciated assistance helped us start a process of reconciliation and gradual restoration of political stability in the country.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The involvement of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, the United Nations Security Council’s benediction, and the well-balanced, all-out efforts and contribution of important neighbours and friends helped us to prevent further aggravation and to alleviate and gradually overcome the crisis. 18 We would like to take this opportunity to commend in the warmest possible terms the very serious commitment of the OSCE; its Chairman-in-Office, Minister Petersen, and his Personal Representative, former Austrian Chancellor, Mr. Vranitzky; the United Nations and its Security Council for their prompt response to this emergency situation through their relevant decisions, resolutions and concrete actions.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“It was the great complexity of these and other developments, coupled with the collapse of the get-rich- quick pyramid investment schemes, which led to broad popular frustration, disillusionment and general unrest and brought the whole country to the state of unprecedented chaos and anarchy I mentioned a moment ago. In these circumstances, the international community reacted promptly, displaying a remarkable sense of responsibility, unity and solidarity amongst its members and with my people and country, one of the Members of this Organization.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Albania has a peculiar history of chronic isolation, of almost total estrangement from the rest of the world, of great potential, human and natural wealth, while being, at the same time, underdeveloped and poor. Our difficulties of growth are directly linked to the legacies of former rules and half a century of communism, of non- existent, non-functioning or malfunctioning democratic institutions, both during and after the collapse of communism and its structures, as well as with our mentality. They are linked to flaws and shortcomings in different fields, to clear tendencies to forsake freedom, to partisan intolerance, to lack of inter-party constructive cooperation, to mismanagement and corruption, to autocratic behaviour and decisions — not rare phenomena in our part of the world.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We are confident that his long experience as an international civil servant and his correct assessment and proper action in implementing the United Nations reform are guarantees of the successful crowning of our efforts to have a stronger and more efficient Organization. Before I deal with the more general questions concerning our common work and efforts in the Organization, I would like to dwell briefly on the dramatic events and developments that occurred in my country, in particular during the first half of the current year, which were also of concern to the United Nations. The Assembly is already aware of what happened in my country, during which total chaos and anarchy reigned for months. That was perhaps the biggest crisis in our modern history.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Let me first join all the distinguished personalities who have spoken before me from this rostrum in congratulating Mr. Udovenko on his election as President of the General Assembly for the current session and wishing him all possible success in this lofty post. I would also like to convey my high appreciation to his predecessor, Mr. Razali Ismail, for the excellent leadership he provided during his tenure of the previous General Assembly presidency. May I take this opportunity to warmly congratulate the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on his election to the highest post of our global Organization.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)