YouSaid · the spoken record

Kolawolé Idji

lines on the record: 55
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 2002-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“There can be no peace in the world if a small portion of humanity can surf the Internet and explore interstellar space while others flounder in quagmire, seeking a mere pittance or safe shelter in their flight from wars whose root cause is a desire to retain power — the power to control land, gold, oil, diamonds and other natural resources solely for the benefit of arms dealers. This apocalyptic picture is unfortunately typical of the sad situation in Africa. It is therefore important to unite all our efforts to halt all conflicts, not only in Africa, but also in Europe, the Balkans — indeed, wherever they arise. The spirit of tolerance and sharing has prompted my Government to develop the concept of a common social minimum.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Today more than 100 political parties vie against each other, unite or clash, but they do so in peace and with respect for the Constitution and the law. My delegation believes that there is no more urgent task today than replacing the culture of violence and war which has marked humanity since the dawn of history and which has so overwhelmed and gravely afflicted Africa and other regions of the world. That culture must be replaced by the culture of peace. We believe that the foremost duty of our Organization continues to be the promotion of peace and all its values and the behaviour that underpins and strengthens it. We believe that the first of these values is the spirit of sharing.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Benin may be only a small point on the world map, but it wants to be a point of convergence — not only in Africa, but also for the entire international community. We want to commit ourselves to building peace rather 17 than bombs, and to promote international cooperation — and to promote it first at home. The Government of Benin is committed to building peace by consistently cultivating tolerance and a spirit of sharing. There is no other explanation for the ever growing consolidation of democracy in Benin. Eschewing the words and customs of others, the people of Benin have boldly chosen a multi-party system after many years of curtailed political freedoms. In other words, they have chosen a politics of peace and tolerance.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Kofi Annan, our Secretary-General, whose dedication and great diplomatic skills have given greater nobility to our Organization and new reasons for hope to our world. I should like to welcome here the efforts of this great African for the international community. My country, the Republic of Benin, could be perceived as just a dot on the world map and perhaps just as a jot on the map of Africa. In fact, the Republic of Benin is not manufacturing any atomic bombs, nor has it any intention of building or possessing them. But it is without any hesitation that I am speaking before the representatives of the international community and all the major Powers gathered here to express the profound concerns we have over the state of the world today, and to voice our hopes.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“On behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Benin, allow me to express to Mr. Didier Opertti my warm congratulations upon his brilliant and unanimous election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty-third session. His human skills and vast experience in international affairs, as well as his dedication to the main causes of our Organization, augur well for the success of the important deliberations of this session. My delegation would like to assure him of its full cooperation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Hennadiy Udovenko of Ukraine, who so skilfully and devotedly presided over the last session of the General Assembly. Allow me to associate to this tribute Mr.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)