YouSaid · the spoken record

TINDEMANS

lines on the record: 200
first: 1982-09-24
most recent: 1988-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

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“Furthermore, Belgium believes that everything possible must be done to find speedy solutions to the problems of the indebtedness of the developing countries. We consider this to be an indispensable condition of the recovery of the international economy and the improvement of North-South relations. 150. We cannot afford to despair. Recent experience proves that when our States are challenged by a situation in which man, his dignity and his life are at stake, they can surmount their different interests and their political differences to decide on and put into effect together the practical means required by the situation. I am thinking of the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa, held at Geneva from 9 to 11 July 1984. I have rarely seen an international conference inspired by such sense of human solidarity.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I am convinced that it is by heading in this direction that genuine progress can be made. 147. Belgium appeals urgently to the United Nations and in particular to its specialized agencies to spare no effort and to use all the means at their disposal to fight the scourge of recession and its consequences. Millions of men and women expect the international community to translate into action, under United Nations guidance, the commitments accepted under its Charter. 148. In this spirit, Belgium advocates an agreement between the European monetary zone and the zones of the yen and the dollar. This should result in a more stable basis for the world economy and a climate of increased confidence. 149.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The global negotiations are at present deadlocked. Proof of this is the fact that the sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, held at Belgrade from 6 June to 2 July 1983, and the Fourth General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, held at Vienna from 2 to 19 August 1984, have disappointed us in many ways. Even if the International Conference on Population, held at Mexico City from 6 to 14 August 1984, produced certain results, we cannot affirm that the North-South dialogue, in which we had placed so much hope, has had all the expected results. 146. What then can we do? I sincerely believe that we must, in spite of everything, strengthen the North- South dialogue, but we must realize that this dialogue can only be successful if it leads to balanced commitments.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The considerable indebtedness of many States seriously jeopardizes their development efforts even though some of them have faced this burden courageously and, with the help of the IMF, have at least begun to find some solutions. Famine continues its devastation, and for some among us it is the question no longer of development but of simple survival. 144. In a world of ever-increasing economic inter-dependence, the international economic situation concerns us all directly. No matter which continent we belong to, what stage of development we have reached or what our political and ideological options may be, it is in our interest, just as it is our duty, to work together to find solutions to these acute problems, which weigh heavily, if perhaps unequally, on each one of us. 145. What do we see?”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The resumption of the North-South dialogue is imperative at all costs and should provide the effort required to combat the economic crisis which affects us all. 141. Belgium, like most other industrialized nations, is suffering particularly from unemployment, which is a source of anxiety for a large portion of our population. This makes wide-ranging industrial re- adaptation indispensable. 142. However, the economic crisis affects even more seriously the least favoured nations. Undoubtedly, some signs of economic recovery have been evident for some time, but so far it has had only a very limited effect on the industrialized world and even less on the developing countries. 143.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“My Government, which respects the sovereignty and independence of States as well as genuine non-alignment, has indeed always expressed the desire that the utmost care be taken to avoid involving other continents in the ideological and political differences which may develop between East and West and, in this context, not to bring division to those continents. 139. For example, two of the principles on which my Government bases its African policy are: first, that our country will strive to prevent the involvement of Africa and the African countries against their will in clashes between blocs and major Powers; and secondly, that it will endeavour to prevent anything that might contribute to the division and weakening of the African continent and will, rather, strive to promote inter-African co-operation. 140.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Such dialogue is important not only for the countries of the Warsaw Pact and for those of the Atlantic Alliance but for the whole world, for the East-West tension does not affect only those States which play a direct part in it. In fact, it hampers, sometimes greatly, international relations as a whole. It weighs heavily on the work of the United Nations, making its action in the service of peace and development even more difficult. The President of the Council of Ministers of the 10 member countries of the European Communities has stressed this in a truly remarkable fashion in his statement. Is it not true that this tension also often lends an additional dimension to local conflicts which, by broadening them, exacerbates them and makes them more difficult to solve? 138.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“As the representative of a European country, I beseech all other countries of that continent to transcend the atmosphere of mistrust which in 1984 has rendered too many discussions fruitless, in order once again to take the path of negotiations. This will undoubtedly not be easy, but let us by all means take the path of dialogue, step by step, towards a horizon which will gradually grow ever wider. 137. By its tone, its philosophy and the proposals it contained, the statement made yesterday before the Assembly by the President of the United States constitutes, to my mind, a positive contribution to the early resumption of this indispensable dialogue.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Belgium, for one, has always considered that this ongoing dialogue is essential to the restoration of confidence but that it is not enough. We should not limit our contacts to the political issues alone; we must encourage the development of sound economic relations on realistic and mutually beneficial bases. Cultural, technological and scientific relations also have an essential role to play in bringing closer together individuals and communities across borders. 135. I am convinced that through patience and perseverance and by keeping in mind clear goals we shall in the end fulfil the true ideals of the Helsinki Final Act in which we had placed so much hope. 136.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The hope of seeing an early start of discussions on the demilitarization of space has not yet materialized either. 132. We thus note with the utmost regret that practically all the established channels of discussion between East and West are blocked. For Belgium, it is not the venue which is essential: what is essential is that negotiations resume and be brought to a successful conclusion. 133. Perhaps we shall have to start from new, more realistic and, for the present, less ambitious bases, but our goal will always remain the same, that is, to turn Europe into an area of peace and security, based on respect for freedom and for the legal and humanitarian principles that must govern the relations between States and peoples. 134.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“We should not deceive ourselves, however. It will not be easy to retie the broken thread of negotiation. Too much emotion has entered into play; too much confidence has been undermined. We shall nevertheless have to overcome distrust, to rise above disappointment and to resume the dialogue. There is no alternative. 131. In the present state of affairs it is undoubtedly imperative to make every effort to achieve substantive progress in the near future at the most important negotiating tables which are still operating at Geneva, Stockholm and Vienna. The prospects of resuming negotiations on intermediate-range nuclear forces or the strategic arms reduction talks have not so far materialized, though we pray most fervently for such resumption.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The situation is perhaps not as alarming as some would claim, but it is worrying in more ways than one. First of all, we see the dynamics of overbidding, along with mounting tensions and a correspondingly diminishing confidence, taking root. Further, it has to be recognized that the increase in military budgets deprives the developing nations of necessary, indeed vital, aid. These expenditures also weigh very heavily on our own economies in these days of budgetary restrictions. 129. There are thus enough good reasons for wanting to reverse the present course of events without having to invoke bad ones. What makes us want to say "Enough!" to arms development is the waste that such development implies, the responsibility of the developed countries towards those not yet sufficiently developed, and the danger of nuclear proliferation. 130.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Finally, we are now on the eve of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and I cherish the hope that for the greater well-being of the whole international community this exercise will be fruitful. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has been a success so far as limiting horizontal proliferation goes. Unfortunately, the results have not been equally convincing with regard to the limitation of vertical proliferation. If some progress could be made in that regard also, the chances of success of the Third Review Conference would be enhanced. 128. My intention is not to minimize the importance of the present crisis but only to put it back in its right perspective.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Our efforts at the Conference on Confidence- and Security-building Measures and Disarmament in Europe, at Stockholm, have no other intent. 126. Anther reason for not indulging in excessive pessimism is precisely the willingness of the Atlantic Alliance to enter into negotiations at any moment and without pre-conditions. This overture has unfortunately not so far met with any response from the leaders of the Warsaw Pact nations. I want to believe that those leaders will come to realize how sterile such an attitude can be and that they will bring themselves to grasp the hand we hold out to them. 127.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“On the contrary, Belgium, like its allies, favours a balance at the lowest possible level, and that applies equally to conventional and to nuclear weapons. It is precisely for that reason that we are wedded to the Vienna Talks on Mutual Reduction of Armaments and Associated Measures in Central Europe, as well as to all other negotiations likely to bring about reductions in the level of armaments without affecting the security of each country concerned. 125. We have pointed out that this will not be an easy task. Thus, we advocate the view that we should set ourselves to developing measures of confidence and security conducive to stimulating a climate in which negotiations having a more specific bearing on the reduction of armaments will stand a better chance of bearing fruit.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I should like to add that while taking the necessary steps to maintain and, where needed, restore this balance, essential to security and peace, Belgium and its allies have taken measures to avoid an arms race: indeed, they have twice decided to cut down their nuclear arsenals and resolved to reduce those arsenals by one nuclear warhead for each intermediate-range missile deployed. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has also adopted the doctrine that "only the minimum number of those forces necessary to support NATO's agreed strategy of deterrence and defence should be retained". 124. Indeed, although balance seems to us indispensable, it does not follow that such balance must necessarily be at the present level.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I think, therefore, that it is the upsetting of the balanced equilibrium which fosters the arms race, and not the reverse. 122. In this context I should like to take this opportunity, in my capacity of Minister for Foreign Affairs of a member State of the Atlantic Alliance, to reaffirm emphatically two fundamental elements of the doctrine of the Alliance: first, that the strategy of the Alliance is not to "wage war" or even to "win a war", but indeed to see that war never breaks out; and, further, that none of our weapons will ever be used except to react against aggression. 123.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Undoubtedly, nuclear weapons have such a terrifyingly destructive power that no side could hope to win a nuclear conflict it might have started; but, precisely for that reason, should we not admit that this formidable weapon is a powerful deterrent ? 121. The danger of a nuclear conflict would be greatest precisely if one of the potential adversaries were to stop viewing the atomic weapon as unacceptable and were to consider it as a weapon "like all others"—that is, a weapon which would enable it to wage and to win a war—and if, through misreading or miscalculation, it felt itself to be in a position to subject its enemy to a nuclear blaze without fear of retaliation. Hence, risks are due far more to imbalances and errors of judgement than to an increase in armaments.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Indeed, far from having narrowed, the division between the Western countries and those of the Warsaw Pact seems to have widened, the arms control negotiations are stalled or have been interrupted, and the political dialogue itself seems to be in deadlock, to such an extent that some political commentators do not hesitate to call 1984 "the lost year". 119. In fact, 1984 seems not to have borne fruit with respect to disarmament, and even to detente, but it has not been completely lost for peace, and we should beware of an excessive and unreasonable pessimism, for a number of reasons. 120. I cannot help but feel that the most serious threats to peace he in imbalances and errors of judgement.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Is not the pursuit of peace and the means to ensure or preserve it the prime objective of the United Nations and the foremost duty of the international community? The United Nations even dedicated two special sessions of the General Assembly to disarmament, in the work of which we placed great expectations. Unfortunately, crises have continued to cause upheavals in certain regions of the world and are all the more disturbing since they are set against a backdrop of regrettable tensions in East-West relations. 118.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“This meeting, which will take place in a few days, will enable representatives of States linked by history and culture to consider the problems of a region torn by a crisis rooted in political, economic and social problems. We hope that this meeting will bring about a new kind of co-operation which will lead to peace, economic recovery and social progress. 116. Rereading the statements I had the honour to make in the past two years to the Genera! Assembly, I found that both covered subjects related to security and disarmament, the reduction of tension, and peace. My predecessors had already deemed these problems sufficiently important to dedicate most of their attention to them, as did the majority of my colleagues at this rostrum. 117. Is not that normal?”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Barry, current President of the Council of Ministers of the 10 member countries of the European Communities, has accurately expressed their views from this rostrum [6th meeting], for which I thank him. I recognize Belgium's own opinions in the ones he expressed and in the survey he made of an international situation that is more disquieting than ever. I can therefore concentrate on just a few subjects. 115. First, however, I should like to stress, as did Mr. Barry, the importance my country attaches to the planned meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the countries of Central America and the Contadora Group, on the one hand, and of the Ten, accompanied by the European Communities Commission, and Spain and Portugal, on the other.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“"I should like the international organization that will result from our work not only to tell us hew we may avert war and how to win it if, despite everything, it breaks out, but also to give us the means to ensure peace by giving men the chance to live with employment and in happiness." 113. The Secretary-General expresses the same concern when he calls in his report for the firm establishment of the three main elements of a stable international order: an accepted system of maintaining international peace and security; disarmament and arms limitation; and the progressive development of a just and effective system of international economic relations. I wish him to know that we share his views and that he has our full support. 114. My colleague, Mr.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“It is fine to be united to achieve victory, but it would be even better, much more effective and less costly to be united to build a better world. "One cannot limit oneself to drafting texts for use only when the situation becomes serious. I wish that we could build something that would become part of our daily life, of our daily concerns, something that would not only come to mind when the spectre of war threatened us but would help us to respond effectively to the disturbing questions that will be posed by the economic and social organization of the world.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Even before assuming this post he made clear at San Francisco how he viewed the work of the Organization, declaring: "Everybody today stresses the necessary solidarity that ought to manifest itself in time of war, and one is right to do so. But this solidarity would probably become unnecessary if the peoples understood more clearly that they must help one another in times of peace. "From a strategic point of view, there are no more frontiers. When war breaks out in one part of the world, it does not take long to devastate the whole world. That is the terrible vision that is presented to us to remind us from time to time, since we tend to forget it, that we are all dependent on one another. "But why do we wait for war to become conscious of this reality? It also exists—as much, and perhaps even more—in times of peace.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I read the Secretary-General's report this year with the utmost attention, just as I did his two preceding ones. Similarly, I took note with great interest of his statements in other forums—particularly two speeches he delivered last May, one to the Brookings Institution and the United Nations Association of the United States of America and the other at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. I want him to know how much his analysis of the crisis of multilateralism impressed me and how much I admire the opinion he expressed, as the highest official of the United Nations, on this crisis and its consequences. 112. What the Secretary-General said reminded me of the words of one of my predecessors, Paul-Henri Spaak, who in 1946, as you know, was the first President of the General Assembly.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“While we await this reunification, Belgium declares itself in favour of the simultaneous entry of both Koreas into the United Nations. A decision to this effect could contribute to easing the tension in the peninsula and would also be in conformity with the principle of universality of the United Nations, a principle which we uphold. 110. This year Belgium had the privilege of welcoming the Secretary-General. I express our gratitude to him for this visit and our appreciation of his untiring efforts for world peace and security. The talks I had with him enabled me to understand better his dedication to his duties and his personal commitment to the best performance of his tasks. We think particularly of the consultations he is holding to bring about the necessary conditions for a peaceful settlement of the question of Cyprus. 111.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Lee led the delegation of observers of the Republic of Korea to the General Assembly. A week later, he fell victim, with other Korean leaders, to a repugnant political crime. I express the admiration of the Belgian people and Government for the moderation and self-restraint with which the leaders of the Republic of Korea reacted to this assault, refusing to respond to violence with violence. 108. This tragedy underscores more than ever how imperative it is to find, without delay, a peaceful and democratic solution to the question of the reunification of the Korean peninsula. Belgium shares the opinion of the Republic of Korea that any negotiation in this respect must begin with a dialogue between the two parts of Korea, a dialogue aimed at restoring confidence between them, which is indispensable. 109.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Illueca, for the manner in which he guided the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly and for the positive contribution he thus made to the Organization. 106. The universal character of the United Nations unquestionably remains one of its most important features. Its task, which is to receive into its fold all the States of the world on an equal footing, with respect for the sovereignty of each, is essential to its mission of peace. I am therefore happy to greet the arrival of a new member, Brunei Darussalam. I assure it of our intention to maintain with it relations of meaningful co-operation and friendship. 107. I wish to recall with emotion one of our late colleagues, Mr. Lee Bum-Suk, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea. A year ago Mr.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Mr. President, I would like to begin by conveying to you the congratulations of the Government of Belgium on your election to the presidency of the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly and expressing our wishes for success in the fulfilment of this most prestigious and essential task. 104. My country is delighted that a person of your stature has been chosen for this high office. It views this as an assurance of the success of our work. Furthermore, Belgium is happy to see a representative of a region of the world to which it attaches a very special interest chairing the General Assembly of an institution which, as underlined by the Secretary-General in his report on the work of the Organization, constitutes the embodiment of multilateralism itself. 105. Allow me also to take this opportunity to thank your predecessor, Mr.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“257. Only the creation of an international legal order can provide the framework within which tensions will dissipate, conditions for control, limitation and reduction of armaments will be created, and creative forces will emerge which will help us overcome the crisis of our times. The achievement of such an order depends on us alone, and in particular on the Organization. Let us have the courage to denounce those forces which are opposed to this and let us undertake to contribute to the building of that order. This is a commitment which Belgium solemnly enters into here and now.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“One can aspire, as I myself do, together with so many other men of goodwill and peace, to the elimination of the atomic weapon, and indeed all other means of destruction. However, one must be aware, as I am, that such elimination is not possible. Indeed, history teaches us that all scientific and technological progress can be simultaneously detrimental and beneficial, but that it is always irreversible. What we must do and what we can do is to create conditions whereby only the beneficial aspects of progress can be developed. 256. Humanity is constantly endangered by tensions born of egoism, jealousy, narrow nationalism, violations of fundamental human rights, and rejection of an international order based on the rule of law. The real problems lie in underdevelopment, hunger and inhuman conditions, for which a final solution must be found.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“I belong to that generation which witnessed the birth of the nuclear age, which is the anxious if not horrified witness of its proliferation and which has never really adjusted to the idea of living with the fear caused by its existence. I am among those who are struggling for the control and reduction of these terrible arms of destruction. However, almost 40 years of experience have ' taught me a certain number of facts. Nuclear power and the weapons to which it gave birth are a product of the human genius. Those who, like me, have gone through the experience of what was once called the race for the first bomb between the Allies and the Nazis, will never forget it; what was at stake in that race was the very survival of our free world.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In this respect, I would like to salute the efforts of the Contadora Group and also to express the hope that national reconciliation will make it possible for Lebanon, through its legitimate Government, to bring about a national reconciliation, which would allow that country, finally freed from foreign occupation, to enjoy the peace which it so very much wants. 254. I would also like to repeat Belgium's profound conviction that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without recognition of the existence and security of all States in the region, including Israel, and the legitimate aspirations of all its peoples, particularly the Palestinian people. 255.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Never has the need for a stable and secure organization of international society been so keenly felt, and never has a more turbulent world made it more difficult to achieve this goal. If, like Paul Valery, we take a look at the world today, we can really only find grounds for frustration and anxiety. It is enough to pronounce names such as Middle East, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, Afghanistan, Kampuchea, Horn of Africa, Chad, southern Africa, Central America, Chile, Cyprus—and others which I am not even mentioning—to appreciate the number of conflicts which today bedevil relations between States. 253. Here and there, brave men and nations are trying to work out the elements of a peaceful solution.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It must be hoped that such measure will in fact be applied. I cannot confine myself to merely condemning from this rostrum an act which cost the lives of 269 innocent people. I also vigorously deplore the blow dealt by this act to international confidence, without which detente and peace are impossible. I wish to reiterate the sincerest condolences of the Belgian Government to the Government of the Republic of Korea, a friendly Government whose tireless efforts to bring about a peaceful and democratic reunification of the Korean peninsula, as well as the reuniting of families divided for more than 30 years now by the Korean tragedy, we very much appreciate. 252.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The 35 countries concerned should, therefore, have every reason to celebrate with some satisfaction the end of their work at Madrid, had it not been darkened by an unspeakable act, that of the shooting down in cold blood, by a Soviet military aircraft, of a civilian airliner of the Korean Air Lines, carrying 269 passengers, men, women and children. Today there is very ready condemnation, at least in words, of the first use of force. If there is a case in which it would have been possible to live up to such a commitment, not only in words but also in deeds, it was precisely that of the 269 unarmed civilians brutally shot down by a blind force which knows that its weapons cannot be resisted. In another forum, efforts are being made to devise new measures to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Nevertheless, after three years of debate the participating States found it possible to agree on a concluding document which, although it contains serious flaws which my country deplores, particularly in the human rights Held, can be considered sufficiently substantial and balanced. 250 Other meetings are to follow with a view to restoring in East-West relations a climate propitious to understanding, moderation, willingness to respect regional and world equilibrium, and a desire to make serious progression controlling, reducing and stopping armaments, without which peace is under constant threat. 251.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Another event which could also have been a ray of sunshine through the clouds of the troubled international situation we are now witnessing was the closure at the beginning of this month of the Madrid meeting of the Conference on Co-operation and Security in Europe. The meeting was held in circumstances made extremely difficult by the continuance and even intensification of the Soviet armed intervention in Afghanistan, which we condemn, and by the course of events in Poland, where it has not yet been possible to bring about the national consensus which alone can enable all the spiritual and social forces of the country to participate in its rebuilding in an appropriate climate of freedom.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“My country welcomes the response to this summit meeting throughout the world and wishes to convey to its president, the Prime Minister of India, the great interest and sympathy that not only the conclusions of the Conference but also the very important statements which she personally made on that occasion have aroused in Belgium. Faithful to its own ideals, which have existed since its creation and which were laid down by its founding fathers, Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru, India and its Prime Minister have gone back to the sources of true non-alignment, thus enhancing the prestige of the Movement. 249.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Nevertheless, one positive event that gives rise to real hope has left its mark on the past year and deserves to be highlighted. I mean the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, which took place at New Delhi last March. The basic principles of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, which are fully in keeping with the ideals of peace of the United Nations, were given new life there. The non- aligned countries have spared no effort in attempting to resolve their disputes by peaceful means and to draw up common proposals to meet the unprecedented challenge of the global economic crisis.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Belgium is convinced that the combined effort of all the competent international organizations and all participating States should make it possible to achieve at least a certain number of concrete results: the stabilization of markets and export earnings for primary products, the preservation of an open international trade system, the restoration of a stable monetary and financial system and, finally, the maintenance of and if possible an increase in official aid and bank loans. 247. This is the only possible way for us to take common action to ensure balanced world economic development, which is an essential guarantee of peace and understanding among nations. 248. The picture of the international situation which I have felt compelled to sketch is, unfortunately, not a cheerful one.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In this respect, the sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, held at Belgrade last June, was the major event in the North- South dialogue in the past year. Of course, it did not succeed in achieving all its ambitious objectives. Nevertheless, there was agreement on certain points. Limited though they were, those results should encourage us to continue the dialogue, especially at a time when signs of improvement in the world economic situation seem to be emerging.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Bilateral relations between Western and developing countries alone can provide but partial solutions to those problems. They must therefore be considered and negotiated at world level, which is where they arise. 245. That is why Belgium, together with its European partners, responded positively to the idea launched at the United Nations of holding global negotiations: Various fields of international co-operation. That is why Belgium still hopes that a basis of agreement can be found for launching those negotiations, on condition—as foreseen by the United Nations—that this exercise takes place in a spirit of common interest, mutual advantage and responsibility on the part of all the parties. 246.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In spite of their different situations and their sometimes divergent interests, those countries are united in a vast movement of political solidarity, in a group that exerts economic pressure on the more developed countries and, finally, in diplomatic negotiating power. We cannot ignore this fact. What we rightly or wrongly call the North-South dialogue, regardless of its vicissitudes and implications, will remain for a long time to come one of the elements of international political and economic relations. 243. In the meantime, a certain number of difficult problems which weigh heavily on national economies are of world-wide dimensions, such as the problems of a secure food supply, of energy, of prices of the most important raw materials for third world countries and of indebtedness, which has assumed such great proportions. 244.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is a fact that the necessity for Belgium to pursue an African policy worthy of the name cannot be and indeed is not independent of our relations with the countries of the so-called third world as a whole. Certainly Africa is closer to us in terms of geography, history and our knowledge of it. But Africa is only one part of the world, and Belgium must remain open to the entire world, and as far as development co-operation is concerned it must be able to respond also as far as possible to appeals from countries in other continents. 242. Our policy must take account of all our relations with all the countries of the South.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Belgium—for its own part and with its nine partners in the European Communities—will contribute, if that is the desire of the countries and inter-State organizations of the continent, to the development of an African continent that is genuinely African, free and stable. That means an Africa that has found its own answers to its own problems and thus freed itself from extraneous ideological or political struggles for influence; an Africa which has overcome the aftermath of colonization of which the former colonizers retain no memory, so that their future relations may be free of all ambiguities; an Africa sufficiently stable, internally and regionally, to prevent or limit civil conflicts and conflicts between States. 241.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“None the less, my country appeals to South Africa, that African country recognized as such in the continent, at last to respond to the appeal made to it in Lusaka more than 15 years ago and to have faith in the generosity which is one of the main characteristics of the African people and which prompted the great poet Leopold Sedar Senghor to say: "Those peoples of fire, when they have freed their hands, have inscribed fraternity on the first page of their history". 239. At the same time, my country intends to increase its aid to the States of southern Africa, particularly through the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference, as a contribution to their harmonious development. 240.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Finally, the situation in southern Africa remains a serious source of disorder in our already much trembled world. 237. Whether the problem is Namibia, the questions raised by the policy of separate development—that is, apartheid —of South Africa, or the development of the situation in what are known as the front-line States, we find ourselves faced with various elements of the same problem, which must be settled as soon as possible. 238. Belgium, whose active participation in the United Nations Council for Namibia demonstrates how seriously it takes this problem, nevertheless does not claim to be able to suggest from this rostrum even a partial solution.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We believe that the second conference could provide an opportunity for the African Governments, regional and subregional African organizations and international organizations involved, as well as for the countries granting aid, to revise their assistance programmes in order better to include the integration of refugees and their participation in the economies of host countries within the overall framework of development plans. 235. Belgium, for its part, is willing to participate actively in the Conference and in the follow-up it entails, either directly or through the European Communities whose action in this respect may easily find a solid basis in the Lome Convention and within the specific guidelines for co-operation with third world countries not associated with the Communities. 236.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)