YouSaid · the spoken record

Nothomb

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS NOTHOMB

lines on the record: 49
first: 1980-09-24
most recent: 1981-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“At the same time, in order to strengthen our solidarity and promote a more reasonably organized security, let us follow both the regional and the global paths. 180. The Secretary-General in his report [A/36/1] rightly underlines the need to use the essential instrument the United Nations in a much more systematic, organized and regular manner so that it may better deal with the various aspects of international relations. 181. I fully share the SecretaryGeneral's conviction, and I should like to pay a tribute to his untiring efforts to ensure respect for the laws and principles that the international community has laid down with such care.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The International Meeting on Cooperation and Development to be held at Cancun will bring together at the highest political level the representatives of 22 countries, from the most powerful to the neediest. We expect that this meeting will provide a new and much needed stimulus for the resumption of consultations leading to global negotiations. 179. The present difficulties should not blind us to the true progress that has been achieved in increasing <he general awareness of the strong Jink which exists between peace, justice and solidarity among our peoples. We can, I am convinced, advance along this road through a serious and practical approach. Let us not cling to what divides us. Rather, let us attempt, day by day, to develop confidence and cooperation among ourselves.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The position taken by Belgium at the Paris Conference the latest manifestation of the dialog between developing and industrialized countries illustrates the positive and constant attitude of my country in the field of international economic cooperation. 177. Over the last few years, and especially since the adoption of General Assembly resolution 34/138, calling for the launching of global and sustained negotiations on international economic cooperation, the Belgian Government has persistently demonstrated its determination to promote such negotiations, taking into account the mutual advantages, the common interests and the responsibilities of the parties involved. 178.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Aware of the fact that the poorest countries with practically no access to capital markets require an increased amount of official developmental aid, Belgium has progressively increased this type of assistance. At the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held recently in Paris, the Government of Belgium stressed the imperative need significantly to increase the volume and efficiency of the assistance to those countries. It announced that Belgium would pursue its efforts to attain, by 1985 at the latest, the goal of 0.15 per cent of its gross national product for assistance to the group of 31 most disadvantaged countries. 176. This assistance will not be at the cost of other developing countries; Belgium wishes to remain among the most active countries in matters of cooperation.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“No State will then lightly consider excluding itself from that solidarity and cooperation, from which all benefit. Such a state of affairs already largely exists in certain parts of the world on a regional basis. We must now develop it and extend it further so as to make it universal. 173. The defense of peace and international law therefore necessitates a search for solidarity and justice. 174. Hence, development cooperation is also essential in the search for peace. Just as transfers take place from richer to poorer areas within a country, so should they take place between nations. Balanced development of the family of nations and the reduction of economic disparities within it are thus prime concerns of the international community. 175.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“As the penalties for war are forgotten, so the temptation for frustrated and ambitious States to resort to it, hoping for impunity, will increase. Thus, the defense of international law should remain our constant concern. It is our guarantee, particularly the weaker among us, in the face of the most powerful. It alone can ensure the stability and security of our day-to-day relations, on which the wellbeing of all peoples depends in our increasingly interdependent world. 172. To that end, we must remain watchful and ready to show, by our unanimous response, that a policy of fait accompli will bring general disapproval upon those who pursue it. We shall be able to prevent such action and apply effective sanctions only if we create among ourselves strong bonds of solidarity.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“From the outset we should concentrate our efforts on a limited number of arms and systems chosen from among those which are the most modern and of greatest concern that is, the most dangerous in a way that renders possible concrete and rapid results. 170. I am well aware of the fact that the negotiations to which I am referring involve chiefly the United States and the Soviet Union, which possess these types of arms. But the negotiations are of concern to all of us, because they are an element of the strengthening of peace, to which we all aspire. 171. War, as I stated at the beginning of my speech, seems and should seem to be less and less a normal instrument of policy. But we must be aware of another danger, namely, the sudden creation by a brazen nation of faits accomplis, the results of which are then difficult to undo.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“First, we have to put a stop to the exchange of allegations and accusations, which poisons the atmosphere of the negotiations and tends to turn them into a propaganda exercise rather than a search for concrete results. 168. We must then recognize that the maintenance or restoration of equilibrium is a perfectly legitimate concern. Negotiations must start with the certainty that the equilibrium will be firmly assured in any eventuality, so that the negotiators can make a genuine, concerted attempt to reduce that equilibrium to its' lowest possible level. If this certainty is lacking there can be no assurance of the determination to hold genuine negotiations. 169.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Indeed, is it not obvious that when States have divested themselves of the means of suddenly menacing their neighbors and have ceased to fear being suddenly menaced themselves, their interest would certainly be to reduce their military expenditures and to negotiate a stabilization of the balance at a reduced level of armaments? . 167. A fifth approach pertains to arms limitation itself. We welcome the fact that a few weeks from now the United States and the Soviet Union will start negotiations on the limitation of medium-range nuclear weapons. My Government has actively encouraged the holding of such negotiations. If the rapid and genuine progress that we desire is to be made, it is essential that a number of principles be clearly established.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Belgium is first and foremost desirous of obtaining practical results in matters of security and arms limitation and to this end has constantly advocated the free negotiation between neighbors of agreements likely to achieve these aims on a regional basis. 166. More clarity concerning military situations and a more accurate forecast of their possible modification by means of confidence-building measures on a regional level would allow all States concerned to proceed in an atmosphere of security towards genuine and far-reaching arms reduction measures.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“We think this is of great importance and are very anxious to see those agreements respected. 165. We should like to see further progress in this direction, leading to the holding of a conference on disarmament in Europe in the near future, the first aim of which would be to agree on militarily significant, compulsory and genuine confidence-building measures extending to the entire European continent. I mention the efforts undertaken on our own continent because I believe that this approach should also be attempted in other regions of the world, in ways, of course, suitable to each of them.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“We therefore seem to be witnessing a pitiful race taking place in darkness and confusion, in which each participant pushes himself to the limit for fear of taking a risk where his opponent's supposed strategy is concerned. In this area of dialog on disarmament, therefore, we must focus more sharply on the exchange of the precise ideas the parties have of their own security problems, their strategies and their weapons Programs. 164. My fourth recommendation would be to stress in the negotiations those measures which might decrease distrust and fear. Here, I should like to recall the steps taken in this regard by the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, signed at Helsinki, which, among other things, provides for prior notification of maneuvers and military movements of a certain scope.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The third approach, without waiting for this general dialog to bear all its fruits, is to begin well-defined conversations on security problems. Such conversations should not be limited solely to armaments but should also bear upon the ideas different sides have of their security and the suitable means to ensure it. Between potential adversaries, security can best be grounded in the existence of an equilibrium, but this equilibrium itself is difficult to achieve. Each seeks to counter the opposing strategy as it guesses or fears that strategy to be. At times, such strategies determine which arms will be produced, and at other times they are themselves modified by the appearance of new weapons.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The first and essential one is respect for the principle of noninterference in the affairs of other States, which was reaffirmed by General Assembly resolution 2131 (XX) of 21 December 1965. Without strict observance of this principle, no genuine progress towards peace can be achieved. 162. Next, we must engage in the difficult but necessary dialog on problems that divide us. Even though conflicting viewpoints and interests cannot immediately be reconciled, such a dialog would gradually promote the accurate perception of the various motivations and views, the recognition of legitimate interests and, ultimately, a certain degree of tolerance and moderation and even cooperation in the search for solutions acceptable to all. 163.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The second point is that only those States or groups of States which nurture deep-seated mutual distrust enter the arms race. Many countries do not maintain any military apparatus against their neighbors, even though the means to do so are available to them. This is the case with the countries of Western Europe, which have developed ties of solidarity and enough mutual confidence to allow them to dispense with any kind of military precautions against each other. 160. Armaments, therefore, are the consequence rather than the cause of distrust and hostility. If we truly wish to curb the arms race and Belgium certainly does we must first of all tackle the causes. Several approaches could, I think, be followed simultaneously. 161.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“A particular and spectacular question that strikes public opinion is obviously the accumulation of armaments. It is a scandal that huge resources are thus spent each year to the detriment of the production of goods more beneficial to mankind. It is easy to wax indignant and to content oneself with words or to recommend radical disarmament measures. This is a natural and popular response, and it corresponds to a deep-seated sense of morality. However, if we look at the question dispassionately some basic facts stand out. 158. The first is that in the disarmament field, rhetoric cannot take the place of action. It is not the pedlars of dreams who best serve humanity. On the contrary, they tend to waste on illusions energies that could better be spent on the patient search for practical solutions. 159.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The most striking and hopeful development, however, is the coming of age of world public opinion, which makes itself heard here in the United Nations, its point of convergence and its preferred means of expression. Aggression is not yet banished from the world we see this from recent and still current instances but it now involves a higher political cost and offers less promise of success. Aggression faces the general condemnation of the General Assembly, and its victims, feeling themselves supported, refuse to submit. 156. Such is the progress achieved. It is still modest, but it shows us a direction in which our efforts can usefully be aimed. Our awareness and our solidarity represent the principal chance for peace. Our first concern should be to develop them at the regional level, as well as in the world Organization. 157.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Such a change is the fundamental meaning and highest objective of the Organization. Have we completely succeeded? We know very well that we have not, but we have sparked some hope in the world and have opened the way to another ambition for mankind, that of a world based on international law, on the sovereignty of States, on respect for the weak, on reciprocal assistance and on the refusal to use violence. Several elements tend to lead us to believe that war is no longer a normal instrument of international policy: regional cooperation among States, the balance brought about in some regions by strong alliances, the will to independence of peoples in the face of the biggest Powers and their contesting the fruits of invasion, and finally the devastating power of the weapons themselves. 155.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“When all ether methods became impossible, it was through war that the divergent views and interests and conflicting passions oilmen and Governments were finally resolved. Disputes found their solutions through war in ways that were often unjust but expedient. The threat hanging over everybody of destruction and misery encouraged compromises to some degree and often produced a period of stability of uncertain duration, characterized by fear and resignation. Power, above all military power, was the main goal of States, for even in times of peace, military power governed relations between States. 154. It is this unorganized and savage world, in which force takes precedence over the rule of law, that we have tried to change by adopting the Charter of the United Nations.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“But this experience has also freed us from simple illusions about ways to achieve and maintain peace. 152. Taught by its past and conscious of its own particular situation, Belgium has entrusted its security to a regional defensive alliance, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, an alliance characterized by a high degree of permanent consultation among its members. Determined participation in this alliance enables my country to contribute fully to the difficult but essential dialog between East and West without which world peace would be no more than a precarious truce. 153. When we view the problems of peace today, several facts stand out. In centuries past war was the ultimate instrument of international policy.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The results are not yet perfect, but they demonstrate that reason, a sustained will, a clear vision of the basic solidarity among peoples and the patient alignment of interests can overcome the age old curse. Starting from this example, I should like to consider practical ways which could ensure peace on a more stable basis, granting to all a real solidarity. 151. Article 1 of the Charter defines the purposes of the Organization. Foremost among these is the maintenance of international peace and security. Belgium, a victim throughout the centuries of the quarrels of its neighbors, has traditionally been particularly devoted to the search for peace. Few peoples have had as much experience as we have of the disasters of war and therefore also of the blessings of peace.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“I need not cover all the points he has dealt with, for his speech was also that of Belgium. The very fact that the 10 member States of the European Community speak with one voice is in itself a concrete contribution to peace and to the transformation of a world of confrontation into a world of cooperation. We have here 10 countries of Europe, many of which for a century have repeatedly battled against each other and which, hardly 22 years after the First World War, were all caught up in another war which set the world aflame. Today, war between these countries of Western Europe has become unthinkable. What is more, they have embarked on building a genuine community.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Beyond the diplomatic niceties and political constraints, serious reflection is necessary for us to see what we can really do to progress step by step toward the goal assigned to us. 149. When we view the present state of the world it is all too easy to emphasize the injustices, the conflicts and the danger. The agenda of the current session is, in part, a catalog of the problems which endanger international relations. We have discussed many of these problems year after year without finding any satisfactory solutions. 150. I shall speak on a single theme, that of peace, ,because my British colleague, Lord Carrington, on behalf of the 10 member States of the European Community, has already explained our views, our activities and our hopes concerning the main agenda items [8th meeting].”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“My country looks forward to maintaining and developing the close ties which we established on that occasion. 146. On this very day Belize has joined the United Nations. I should like to extend to it our warm welcome. The alphabetical order will mean that our two delegations will be neighbors in most meetings, and we take pleasure in that. 147. The highest aspiration of human society is to organize its solidarity in justice and peace. The United Nations is the trustee of that aspiration, and the essential meaning of the general debate in the Assembly should be to gauge each year our achievements and to plan ahead. The General Assembly is the place for Governments to meet annually and examine their conscience. It should come as no surprise to find in this forum the contradictions and the doubts of all mankind. 148.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“143. I take particular pleasure, Sir, in congratulating you upon your election to the presidency of the thirty- sixth session of the General Assembly. In awarding you this high office, the Assembly has chosen a diplomat whose invaluable personal qualities, long experience and profound knowledge of the workings of the Organization will ensure the successful outcome of our work. 144. I should also like to express once again my profound appreciation of the dedication, determination and efficiency with which your predecessor, Mr. von Wechmar, carried out a most difficult task. 145. I take this opportunity of extending cordial greetings to the delegation of Vanuatu. I recently had the pleasure of being host in Brussels to a mission from Vanuatu.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Just as one cannot imagine a democracy that it not based on the rule of law, so our Organization would be unthinkable were it not founded on a firm will to establish legal principles on an international level. 141. For countries like Belgium, which systematically refrain from using violence in international relations, the creation of a state of law at the international level is an indispensable element for the creation of a real community of nations.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“All countries that have not yet acceded to the Geneva Protocol of 1925 must do so without further delay; that would allow all contracting parties to re-examine the desirability of maintaining the inter partes reservation for those who have registered it. 138. In conclusion, and to sum up, I have tried to stress the importance that Belgium attaches to an international community based on a certain number of fundamental legal principles, as set out in the Charter of our Organization. 139. The basic guideline of Belgium's foreign policy is certainly to do all it can to ensure that the international community of States, peoples and individuals shall be founded on those principles. 140.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“That report was completed a month ago and submitted to the present session of the General Assembly for consideration. I hope that the debates which will take place will contribute to progress in the cause of disarmament. 137. May I also express on behalf of my Government, as was done in this very hall by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden on behalf of his Government, great concern on the subject of the rumoured recent utilization of chemical weapons in two of the poorest countries in Asia. It is no longer enough for public opinion in the civilized world to condemn the utilization of chemical arms.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In the same context, Belgium has always expressed its interest in the ratification of the SALT II agreement." But there should be no doubt about the will of my country, together with its allies, to restore the essential balance. In our view, detente and defence are the two inseparable bases of our security. 136. Faithful to its long traditions in this field, Belgium remains strongly attached to all forms of international action in the field of arms limitation. Suffice it to recall the initiative taken here in 1978 by Belgium in favour of a study of all the regional aspects of disarmament. The purpose was to define a systematic regional approach for all disarmament problems and arms control. Belgium was pleased to read the report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Regional Disarmament over which it presided.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Matters may seem different for each individual State; but the only reasonable solution to a threat of over armament by a neighbour is a dialogue and a search for balance at the lowest possible level. 135. In Europe itself, continuing development of new weapon systems directed against our countries caused the Atlantic Alliance to take the decision last December to modernize its medium range nuclear weapons, in order to offer that dialogue and that search for balance at the lowest possible level. That offer of negotiations remains. Belgium attaches special importance to it and welcomes the prospect of preparatory talks on this subject being started on 13 October between the United States and the Soviet Union.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The absence of justice in international economic relations merely fosters dictatorial regimes which disregard the most elementary human rights. Those regimes disrupt peace, both by the international opposition to which they give rise and their economic and social injustices. 134. In his report on the work of the Organization, the Secretary General has deplored the fact that the numerous international conferences on disarmament had often done no more than agree on organizational and procedural matters, without really tackling questions of substance. They were unable to prevent a dangerous escalation in the arms race. Many countries of the third world, including the poorest, wear themselves out and are reduced to bankruptcy as they seek to take part in this senseless world competition.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is obvious that such flagrant imbalances will sooner or later lead to violent explosions. 132. The arms race resulting from these imbalances is a permanent threat. We are appalled by the fact that $450 billion are now being spent on armaments in the world but only $20 billion on development aid. That is why the Brandt Commission has suggested in its recent report10 that machinery to strengthen the role of the United Nations should be established for the maintenance of peace. Such machinery should permit funds to be released for development through reductions in military expenditure. 133. Security and peace are not merely the absence of war; they also have an active character which could lead to balanced development and an equitable distribution of wealth. A lasting peace requires efficient economic cooperation.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is high time because disorder reigns in too many areas; it is high time because the poorest become poorer; it is high time because the rich are also slowly involved in a spiral of impoverishment; it is high time because the chasms which separate us may no longer allow reasonable solutions; it is high time because misery and poverty all too often lead to actions fraught with risk; it is high time because the worsening of international relations could end willy-nilly in a global conflict. 131. The representatives of the 154 Member States represented here are all aware of the dramatic nature of this situation. They also know that they will have to work together in the struggle against the economic crisis and in favour of development. They must perforce succeed in this enterprise in the interests of world peace and security.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In this context, I should like to recall briefly the proposal of my delegation concerning the conclusion of a pact for mutual growth which would link official development aid to the economic growth of the traditional and potential donor countries. 130. I repeat that Belgium earnestly hopes that solutions will be found to the world problems which confront us, because I am more and more convinced that the famous statement made by my predecessor Paul Henri Spaak before this very Assembly is as relevant as ever: "It is not too late, but it is high time", he said.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“On the subject of global negotiations, the work of these last weeks has enabled us to identify the difficulties and problems and also to clarify our positions. Progress has been made which will probably allow the present session to produce a unanimous will to start basic negotiations, without which international economic relations will remain chaotic. As I stated at the eleventh special session: "My country places great expectations in the outcome of these global negotiations. At the end of the negotiations, it would thus be ready to make a political commitment to apply the balanced results reached by consensus." Belgium has done and will continue to do all that is possible to obtain that consensus. 129.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In this context, we can only welcome the suggestions made by the Secretary General in his statement of 3 July last before the Economic and Social Council, in which he advocated special action in favour of the least developed countries which have been particularly affected by the economic crisis. We hope that this Assembly will take appropriate measures concerning this initiative. 128. Too many positive elements have emerged from the eleventh special session of the General Assembly which was recently concluded for us to speak of "failure". The establishment of a new International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade—which we will have to ratify formally—is an extremely important achievement.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“"Full participation and equality" are also the themes of the International Year of Disabled Persons, to be observed in 1981, which will provide our Organization with another opportunity to reaffirm the importance it attaches to the promotion of the value and dignity of human beings. 126. While many countries, beginning with developed countries, protect their weakest citizens against the risks of illness or unemployment through national systems of social security, it is inadmissible that the international community does not offer equivalent protection to the poorest countries. In the absence of determined common action in favour of the most impoverished countries, the Charter of the United Nations will not have been fully implemented, and the strong are likely to join the weak in chaos and misery. 127.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The ultimate bearer of these rights is the individual, and the exercise of these rights will enhance the development of the individual's personality. From now on we recognize that the promotion of respect for human rights must be an integral part of activities related to development and that its realization involves the participation of all, including women, young people and the handicapped. 124. This year at Copenhagen, the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women had as one of its themes the full participation of women in economic and social development. Belgium will take this fully into account in its efforts to promote complete equality between men and women on the national level. 125.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is the duty of the international community to put an end to these acts, but its action will remain insufficient as long as all its members, without exception, do not fully resolve to eliminate the deep-rooted causes of this evil, which are both political and economic. 123. Man has a right to the development which can promote his prosperity. Development aid can no longer be considered a charitable or paternalistic act. Development engages the responsibility of the entire international community and is the direct result of the recognition of the right to development. This is not a new right but should be considered as the synthesis of other human rights, including civil and political rights.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Dictatorships succeed one another. Human rights are violated in all parts of the world. While millions of refugees wait, in terrible suffering, to be able to return to their homes, political obstacles sometimes prevent the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from fully fulfilling their humanitarian mission. Our Organization cannot remain indifferent either to the causes of this massive displacement of peoples or to its consequences. Nor can it remain indifferent to the taking hostage for political ends of innocent men and women, whose lives are threatened as a means of pressure. 122.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is also why we must not assail the universality of our Organization by excluding any country whatsoever from our work. 120. Finally, I should like to recall that behind the abstract words which make up the daily vocabulary of our debates lies a human reality. The efforts made by this Organization have a finality which surpasses the governmental or State dimension. While Governments are the instruments of bilateral or multilateral diplomacy, men and women are its subjects. A diplomat is not an actor in an esoteric game; he is the servant of the cause of mankind. 121. The disappointing results of international cooperation for development and the continued existence of many areas of instability and insecurity—even open conflicts—bring in their wake untold suffering, poverty and social inequality. Democracy is on the decline.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“What is happening in Lebanon, Kampuchea and Afghanistan should be a reason for shame and indignation for each one of us. We are witnessing the systematic and prolonged violation of the territorial integrity, independence and right to life of populations which have had the misfortune of falling within the sphere of influence of mighty neighbours or of serving as battlefields for their struggles. 119. Ever since the beginning of this century, the international community has tried to structure itself so as to establish a rule of law which would not be the law of the jungle. This is the raison d'etre of the United Nations, and it is why our Organization must protest with unceasing indignation against the crushing of small States and the implicit or explicit threats which hang over the sovereignty of so many States.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Many peaceful villages and places in my country, from Waterloo to Yser and Bastogne, are known worldwide as having been the sites of confrontations between foreign armies. We could certainly have done without this reputation founded on suffering and ruins. For 35 years, and thanks to the alliance to which it belongs and remains constantly faithful, my country has known peace and can contribute to detente. But I note that the hotbeds of tension and bloody crises which arise all over the world and with which our Organization has to deal most often strike the small States. It is as if the balance of terror and the immense developments in the field of weapons protect the great peoples but crush the small ones, precisely those which the international community should most energetically protect.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The European Community, which groups together nine today and will group ten tomorrow and soon, we firmly hope, twelve democratic States of Western Europe, was among the first to recognize this state of affairs and to make an effort to adapt its actions to it. We are pleased to note that, more and more, our common action is not only accepted and recognized, but greeted with interest and satisfaction. Hence we shall continue along those lines. 118. A second consideration which inevitably affects the representative of a country like Belgium concerns the sad fate of some of the smallest States of the international community, which too often become the victims of the struggle among the Powers. For centuries Belgium has been known as the battleground of Europe.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“First of all, I wish to reaffirm that the search for a common stance among the countries of the European Community in the international dialogue remains one of the most important concerns of the Belgian Government. We feel, indeed, that the political cooperation which has been established among our States, and which is frequently expressed in the United Nations, is an original and precious contribution by us to the international community. The very fact that we coordinate our positions and conciliate our views undoubtedly gives more weight to the collective voice of the nine countries, but also gives it more balance. In this way we contribute to the spirit of tolerance which should characterize our work. More and more, the life of our Organization is characterized by dialogue between groups.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It has become a tradition in our Assembly for the nine countries of the European Community to express themselves with one voice in the general debate through the delegation which holds our presidency. It goes without saying that Belgium shares all the ideas and views expressed by our colleague. Mr. Gaston Thorn, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The great problems of the day are mentioned in his statement. I shall not return to them, but wish to devote my first statement as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium before a United Nations General Assembly to certain basic considerations which underlie my country's foreign policy. 117.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I should like also to express the great interest with which I have taken note of the report of the Secretary General on the work of the Organization, and to express my great appreciation to the Secretary General for his remarkable synthesis of the many problems with which the United Nations has had to concern itself, for the suggestions he put forward and for his analysis—discreet, perhaps, but pertinent none the less—of the changes in international relations and, thus, in the goals of our Organization. I should like to assure the Secretary General that Belgium will respond positively to the appeal he made when stating that it is up to the United Nations "to tilt the balance in the right direction" in order to respond to the profound disarray and confusion which, unfortunately, characterize the times in which we live. 116.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We would do well to recall, once more, the remarkable way in which he presided over the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, a task which he successfully fulfilled with such wisdom and prudence. 114. I am pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the presence among us of the delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as the one hundred and fifty-fourth Member of our Organization. That presence confirms once more the universality of the United Nations. 115.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I should like first of all, Sir, to congratulate you on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly. I am all the more pleased to do this because I am convinced that you will do everything to ensure that our work shall be as effective and well organized as possible and that the General Assembly will scrupulously fulfil its eminent role under the Charter of the United Nations. 113. Before going any further, I should like also to thank the President of the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly, Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim, on whose enlightened wisdom we so often relied during the past year in diverse and complex situations.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)