YouSaid · the spoken record

Karel de Gucht,

lines on the record: 75
first: 2004-09-24
most recent: 2008-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“I have in mind in particular, the recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon, a conflict in which the Security Council fully assumed its responsibilities — and of which the good offices of the Secretary-General must eventually guarantee a lasting political settlement. Likewise, it is worth noting that international dialogue, rather than the use of force, is again in the foreground of multilateral diplomacy. Here I have in mind the case of Iran: we must make every effort to resolve the difficult nuclear issue while fully respecting the principles of the Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). That being said, multilateralism, as I see it, is neither a dogma nor a simple profession of faith. Multilateralism is an instrument that should be judged by its impact on world issues.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Just one year ago, our heads of State or Government gathered in this Assembly and reaffirmed that peace, security, development and human rights are closely interlinked. They also reaffirmed their faith in multilateralism and an international order based upon the rule of law. The mandate they entrusted to us is being implemented progressively. We have established the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council and adopted the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Our expectations are high and we hope that the results will meet them. During the past year, we have witnessed a rebirth of multilateralism, and I am happy about that. What we, the Member States of the United Nations, do together in a multilateral way will by definition enjoy greater legitimacy.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Belgium is willing to rise to that challenge and to shoulder its responsibilities.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We have a great responsibility. Before the end of the year, the Peacebuilding Commission must be established. We also have the task of making the Human Rights Council operational. I sincerely hope that the spirit that prevailed during the summit will also guide the work of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly. We must continue to show determination, perseverance and vision in carrying out our work. Only through constant commitment will we make the United Nations the primary instrument for international relations. 12 That is the important task ahead of us. Our own credibility is at stake. We must once again make the United Nations the instrument par excellence of our strategy to build a more stable and more prosperous world for all. Our peoples demand that.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Those are extremely important objectives, both for the development of our societies and for the security of States. But, neither democracy nor the rule of law can be artificially imposed from outside. This is not about dictating exogenous models; we must take a bottom-up approach in creating suitable conditions for the emergence of mechanisms that ensure people's equitable participation in their own governance, in a spirit of inclusivity. In that regard, our first priorities should be the modernization of societies and States and the emancipation of women and children and their inclusion in the global dynamic. Past experience shows that the shortest path to democracy and the rule of law is the modernization of society. The role - indeed, the responsibility - of the international community is to galvanize that modernization process.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Those are the terms of our global partnership for development, as set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. All components of the international community have demonstrated generosity. That is particularly true of the European Union. But the international community can hardly be held responsible for the failure of States to protect or assist all or part of their populations. It is difficult to understand why today we must launch donor appeals to deal with the large-scale destruction of houses by a Government that deliberately leaves some 500,000 of its citizens homeless. That reasoning with regard to the subject of good governance also applies to the similar concepts of democracy and the rule of law.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“But we are aware that development is not only a question of money; first and foremost, it is a question of the effective use of resources. The necessary conditions must be established. What matters is the outcome on the ground. Poverty is not inevitable; all peoples have a future that belongs to them. They must take charge of it. We accordingly have stated, in paragraph 11 of the summit outcome document (resolution 60/1), "good governance and the rule of law ... are essential for sustained economic growth, sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger". In the same outcome document, we also clearly reaffirmed our commitment to good governance and the rule of law, and reaffirmed that each country must take responsibility for its own development.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It is not about giving good or bad grades, and even less about good and bad students. It is not for others to say what are good policies and what are bad policies. No ó good governance is synonymous with effective governance and goes hand in hand with sovereignty. It is about governance that can produce results, make a difference for citizens and create fertile ground for development. Without it, the support of the international community cannot produce the desired results. Without it, the aid of the international community will not find the fertile ground essential to create the conditions for greater prosperity and stability. We have pledged to attain the objective of allocating 0.7 per cent of our gross national product to official development assistance. We will keep our promise.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“From now on, those values will be part of our collective security consensus and must be incorporated into our global approach throughout the entire United Nations system. They are our common responsibility. Among the summit's other achievements, I should like also to highlight the "responsibility to protect". This represents a step forward in the quest for solutions to the most glaring injustices. In the aftermath of the genocides that marked our last century, we solemnly pledged that such atrocities would never happen again. Let me now turn to good governance, which is essential if our efforts to create a more stable and prosperous world are to be successful. The summit outcome document repeatedly underlines its importance, and rightly so. Good governance is not a moralistic concept imposed from the outside.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Belgium wants to contribute actively, including by sharing the experience it acquired in the transition processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Burundi. Belgium also attaches great importance to promoting the protection of human rights. My country welcomes the strengthening of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the decision to establish a Human Rights Council. But we regret that the summit was not able to finalize the Councilís modalities. 11 Belgium has fully supported the reform and will continue to focus on it. Democracy and respect for human rights are some of our common values and underpin our efforts to promote peace and stability.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We must help them break that vicious circle and regain their place in the community of nations. In that respect, the establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission is crucial. The creation of such a Commission not only illustrates our common resolve to help such States on their path to recovery; it allows us, first and foremost, better to coordinate and focus our efforts. Political, humanitarian, military and financial resources must be mobilized and used effectively to achieve our common goals. That is particularly true in the case of sub- Saharan African countries that are ravaged by deadly and prolonged conflicts, with the primary victims being the civilian population. The establishment of such a Commission would generate great hope. It is our common responsibility to make it a success.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources can fuel all sorts of criminal networks or conflicts - often with an ethnic dimension - in which large numbers of weapons can circulate uncontrolled. Such States must return to peace, stability and the rule of law. They must take control of their own future and gradually begin to consider their prospects for development. This is not an easy task. The challenge is tremendous. Almost simultaneously, it is necessary to rebuild State institutions; disarm combatants, give them new prospects and reintegrate them into communities that are often impoverished; reorganize the army and security forces; and give the State the means to restore its authority, organize elections and create conditions conducive to development.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In the absence of development and respect for human rights, stability and security become elusive. The link between development, stability and human rights becomes most acutely apparent in fragile or failing States. These are often States devastated by conflict or by civil war - States whose leaders are no longer capable of meeting the basic needs of their people. Often, their economic situation has deteriorated dramatically, and sometimes their society itself is in disarray. A large number of the people of such States may be displaced. They may have fled, may be subject to abuse or exploitation and therefore cannot enjoy any of the guarantees that a State should be able to provide to its citizens. Some States are at risk of becoming zones of lawlessness, in which terrorist and criminal activities can thrive.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I emphasize the word "efficient" because this is not just a declaration of faith. We need credible structures and strong institutions capable of effectively implementing our international commitments and addressing our common concerns. It is all too easy to indulge in rhetoric; we have to translate our words into action. That is why, in that context, I am pleased with the progress made during the summit. I am particularly pleased with the consensus reached whereby security, peace, development and human rights are not only interlinked but mutually reinforcing. That is a significant step forward in our efforts to build a more peaceful, more prosperous and more equitable world. That idea will guide our actions and form the basis of our approach. Without peace, there can be no development, and human rights can often be sorely tested.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Allow me to congratulate you most warmly, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly. Through you, I would like also to thank your predecessor, Mr. Jean Ping, for the manner in which he conducted the preparatory work for the summit of Heads of State and Government which has just taken place. We are very grateful to him for having successfully met that challenge. Even though we had hoped for a more ambitious agreement, the summit allowed us to create a much- needed new impetus and new strategic guidelines for our Organization. Only a stronger and more legitimate United Nations will be able to respond to the challenges of the twenty-first century and implement the collective security consensus that we endorsed in the summit's outcome document. Belgium is a strong advocate of efficient multilateralism.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This is why I plead for a dialogue between the West and the Arab and Muslim world, involving not only political leaders but also spiritual leaders, and not as a mere exchange of ideas or points of view, but in order to identify the instruments that could deny such barbarous acts all legitimacy and raison d’être, with a view to finally bringing this appalling logic of death to a halt.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“It goes without saying that no form of terrorism is justifiable. The indignation and analysis that such acts may provoke can in no way vary according to the victim, the location, the aggressor or the circumstances. Appropriate military means and security measures will remain necessary in order to fight terrorism, but means other than strictly military ones are also required. Indeed, the environment in which terrorism thrives is comprised of ideological, socio-economic, political and other variables.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction poses a serious threat to world security. The regime of non-proliferation is jeopardized by an alarming situation; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must regain its place within this regime without delay. 43 The Islamic Republic of Iran is located in a region full of tensions, and its security concerns are legitimate. The international community should therefore take this into account in its approach to the problem. And the Iranian authorities must cooperate entirely with the International Atomic Energy Agency and cease all activities linked to the enrichment of uranium. By so doing, Iran will contribute significantly to the stabilization and prosperity of the region. The tragedy in Beslan has proved once again that terrorism attacks blindly.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“I congratulate the United Nations for its continued support to the Iraqi transition process, especially given the country’s climate of insecurity. The population of Iraq, which has already faced so many ordeals, must finally be able to live in peace. It is, of course, the Iraqi people who must shoulder the responsibility of guiding the political process, a process that must lead to the creation of a new parliament, a new constitution and a sovereign Government. This Government must be capable of ensuring the well-being of its citizens, as well as the country’s security, with no external assistance. To date, Belgium has allocated approximately €17 million to the reconstruction process and we will provide air transportation for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) personnel between Amman and Baghdad.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“A constitution has been adopted, a referendum has been announced and an electoral commission is in place. Elections are essential, of course, which is why Belgium has provided significant financial backing to their organization. I urge the international community to specify without delay what resources it is ready to mobilize for this purpose. Belgium shares the concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. There is no excuse for the persecution and systematic massacre of thousands of human beings. Given the scale of the suffering, the efforts and the progress made thus far remain insufficient. Belgium therefore insists on the swift establishment of an international commission of inquiry. The situation in Iraq will continue to present a considerable challenge over the coming months and even years.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Belgium therefore supports a better targeted mandate for MONUC, as well as a strengthening of its means. With our European partners, we are also considering the best way of making a joint contribution to that Mission. It goes without saying that the elections scheduled for 2005 will be crucial. They will require substantial human and financial means, to which Belgium has already decided it will contribute. With regard to the situation in Rwanda, we offer our full support to the praiseworthy efforts made to achieve reconciliation. Normalized relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are absolutely indispensable and must be based on collaboration and good-neighbourly relations. This implies a mutual respect of the borders. In many regards, the latest developments in Burundi are encouraging.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“In that respect, the restructuring and the integration of the army are essential, as is the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants. Belgium is currently training almost 300 Congolese soldiers under its Train the Trainers programme. It is also essential that the International Committee to Accompany the Transition fully shoulder its responsibilities. For its part, Belgium is committed to taking an active part in the implementation of the declaration adopted by the countries members of that Committee. The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) is playing a crucial role, and Belgium attaches great importance to that. It is not only the credibility of the United Nations that is at stake here, but — more important — the future of an entire region.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“In that regard, it is encouraging to note how dedicated the Secretary- General is to his mission. For its part, Belgium will continue to appeal to its European Union partners for a collective and committed involvement in the region. It is essential that stability and security be fully established and guaranteed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is clear that the transition process must be successful. We in the international community cannot emphasize enough that political leaders have the duty to make it succeed. Indeed, there is no alternative to that process as a means of achieving peace and development in the region. Nation-building is impossible as long as impunity and insecurity exist.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We fully support the Secretary-General’s efforts in this difficult task. At the same time, we believe that the United Nations system should better reflect the new international realities. The sustained commitment of the United Nations is required if we are to find a definitive solution to the 42 crisis in the Great Lakes region. The conflict there has already cost millions of lives. We must not fail to respond; inaction would constitute negligence. While I do not underestimate the difficulties in this regard, I am convinced that a solution can be found. I refuse to believe, therefore, that the stabilization process is doomed to deadlock or failure. In order to find a solution, however, the international community must show that it can make a difference.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Belgium’s international commitment is rooted in the conviction that initiatives taken at the global level can move forward only through dialogue and cooperation. The careful European building process taught us that. That is why Belgium firmly believes in the virtues of multilateralism. We are stronger standing together than alone. By standing together, we benefit from greater legitimacy and therefore have better opportunities to make our voices heard. The challenges facing the United Nations have the virtue of being clear. As the Secretary-General has said, the options that become available to the world will depend on the answers that we provide. The Organization’s credibility will continue to be judged by its effectiveness and its results on the ground. We must improve and strengthen the United Nations apparatus.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)