YouSaid · the spoken record

Ablassé Ouédraogo

lines on the record: 30
first: 1996-09-24
most recent: 1997-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The developments we are witnessing are profoundly contradictory. The future is marked by pairs of opposites — integration and disintegration; stability and instability; wealth and poverty; health and incurable disease; the opening and closing of borders; democracies and dictatorships; inter alia. They, it is said, are the very stuff of life. The pendulum swings from optimism to pessimism and then back again. To stop it as it swings towards optimism, we will need, as never before, to see to it that the international community can find and cultivate the virtues of inclusion and justice, for otherwise we will see develop before our eyes, to an increasing degree, a world of cruel and pitiless violence. The United Nations is our chance for a world of hope, justice, peace and progress. Let us seize this chance.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Burkina Faso will join wholeheartedly in this exercise and will support any movement that can lead us to development, which is one of the cardinal points of our quest and a platform on which all of the United Nations essential missions can come together: the maintenance of international peace and security, the promotion of justice and international law, the strengthening of cooperation for development, the protection of human rights and humanitarian assistance. While we welcome and applaud the generous contribution a wealthy individual has made to the United Nations, we must also remind all States that their contributions are a fulfilment of solemn and voluntary commitments. Contributions to the budget must be made in full, on time and without conditions. This is also part of the needed reform.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We thank and most warmly commend our brother Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General, who, in the space of nine months, has produced proposals designed to keep us all in step with the times and future challenges. In our quest for peace, security, progress, prosperity and justice, the Secretary-General is proposing that we define and redefine the instrument of our solidarity and our common condition.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Everywhere, structures and organizations with varying degrees of legality are transcending States and establishing transnational networks and relations. It is therefore imperative that we keep pace with these trends and adapt now and in the future our special instrument, our common instrument: the United Nations at the service of peoples. Political will is what will make the difference.” [Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-first Session, Plenary Meetings, 20th meeting, p. 24] Earlier today, speaking of the globalization of the economy, I also mentioned the globalization of threats. I had in mind poverty, environmental deterioration, terrorism, drug trafficking, pandemics and, in general, the great disasters caused by man or by nature. The United Nations is in this regard an irreplaceable and invaluable tool.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Burkina Faso believes that the enlargement of the Security Council, while including Japan and Germany, must necessarily provide equitable representation for Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition to the Council’s composition, its functioning must also be reviewed. The future Security Council must no longer be a body that behaves all too often like a club for the privileged; rather, it must behave like an institution imbued with the highest responsibilities and aspirations for the benefit of all, without discrimination. Without that understanding, reform will be futile. At the fifty-first session, I concluded by saying: 24 “We are now seeing that the State is surrendering control over certain elements of its sovereignty.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Speaking of the Security Council, a permanent member of the Council used the formula that it is far better to support a proposal for change backed by a large majority than to support a status quo that enjoys the support of almost no one. Such reform is now a necessity with regard to which Africa has developed a common position. Africa, which was absent in 1945, intends to gain recognition for its right to a place in the Security Council, in which most of the matters dealt with are African. Two permanent seats and some non-permanent seats would represent the beginning of justice for a continent which, along with Latin America, has no permanent representation.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“As well as the sufferings of the families of those who perished, many other people are continuing to suffer from the sanctions imposed against Libya. The Organization of African Unity has always expressed its concern at the unremitting sanctions imposed on Libya and their humanitarian consequences for its people, and has advocated a fair trial of the suspects pursuant to accepted principles of justice and international law. With the OAU, Burkina Faso hopes that the Security Council will give due attention to the proposal made jointly by the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States with a view to finding a just and equitable solution to the crisis.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“While we continue to call for respect for human rights and respect for freedoms, there is still concern that it has not yet been possible to implement a position that the General Assembly has affirmed and reaffirmed, year after year. The principle of freedom of trade is overtly being violated, and Cuba, a Member State, is the victim. Burkina Faso believes that the international community must continue its efforts to convince all the parties concerned that since the embargo and obstacles to free trade have not yet resolved the dispute, new constructive paths must be explored. Similarly, along with the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Burkina Faso affirms the need to find a solution to the dispute between Libya, the United States and the United Kingdom with regard to the Lockerbie tragedy.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In this regard, and on all economic and environmental issues, we support the comments made on behalf of us all by Tanzania, which holds the presidency of the Group of 77. Burkina Faso, together with other Member States, has asked for consideration of the need to review resolution 2758 (XXVI), which excludes from the United Nations the Republic of China on Taiwan. In doing so, Burkina Faso has no intention of violating the rights of another Member State. It merely asks that, given the new context, the reality of the Republic of China be acknowledged. This reality is demonstrated by the many and various relations that the Republic of China has in one form or another with most States. A review would do justice to the 21.5 million inhabitants while work goes on to resolve the matter by the reunification desired by both sides.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Africa, like a patient being cared for on his sick-bed, has heard and heeded the diagnosis and the suggested remedies, including programmes, projects, agendas and special initiatives. This continent, which is engaged in a constant struggle, is achieving some results that run the risk of being wiped out by globalization, in that its international trade is continuing to decrease as a result mainly of outside factors, further increasing its marginalization. Developing countries expect the Agenda for Development, adopted during the fifty-first session of the General Assembly, to be a catalyst for a new global partnership for development. The sincerity of the commitment of each and every one of us will be judged according to the effectiveness of its implementation.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In the Middle East, Burkina Faso is concerned about the repeated setbacks to the peace process and calls on the parties to ensure that acts of provocation do not create 23 a deadly chain of violence that would go against the interests of the peoples of the region. The international environment is undergoing a process of constant change under the combined effect of three phenomena: globalization of the economy and of threats; liberalization of markets; and the information and communications revolution. While we welcome the creation and consolidation of large economic and monetary groupings throughout the world, the upheavals created by globalization and the demands of a triumphant free-market model illustrate the fragile nature of the successes achieved, and show more clearly that moderation and justice are the basic requirements.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In Liberia, elections finally allowing that country to recover, too, and to contemplate the colossal task of national reconstruction are taking place. However, in the neighbouring country of Sierra Leone constitutional order has been violated and flouted. Burkina Faso reaffirms its resolute condemnation of the interruption of the democratic process in Sierra Leone as well as its adherence to decision 356, on the situation in Sierra Leone, taken by the Heads of State or Government of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-third summit meeting in Harare. We welcome the significant advances made in Angola and urge all the parties, especially UNITA, to play a constructive role.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Burkina Faso welcomes the results of the Oslo conference on anti-personnel landmines, and urges all States to adhere as quickly as possible to the Convention adopted in Oslo, and above all to comply with its terms. Burkina Faso remains concerned by all situations of turmoil, instability and conflict, from Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia to Cambodia. The illusions harboured after the end of the cold war are now giving way to a contrasting vision in which the factors of integration and disintegration in our world are becoming clearer. In Africa, the tragedy in Somalia has been followed by tragedies in the Great Lakes region and the Republic of Congo, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now embarking, with some hesitation, upon the road towards restoration.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“With regard to disarmament, we must reaffirm the necessity of working towards the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, whether nuclear, chemical or biological. In Africa, the illicit traffic in small arms has had new and increasingly uncontrollable consequences, ranging from an increase in armed criminal acts to the proliferation of armed refugees. This provokes and adds to the instability of entire regions. My delegation would like to know what has become of the follow-up to the Secretary-General’s initiative under resolution 51/45 L on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The worst thing that could happen to the Organization would be for Member States to begin to believe that our common institution has two different yardsticks. Our statements and appeals would then no longer be of any value, and our possible actions would be affected, and weakened. The purposes enshrined in the United Nations Charter — peace and security and economic and social development — can only be attained, consolidated and maintained by means of justice within nations, justice among nations and, therefore, justice throughout the world. The task is enormous. The justice demanded would not imply the end of the influence of power, but it would indicate whether such influence was positive or negative.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We therefore support any action designed to achieve that end, and call upon the United Nations to develop a genuine conflict-prevention policy. From north to south and from west to east, African States have been taking action on a continuous basis and in a variety of ways to deal with armed conflicts, political instability and internal disorder in our continent. Africa is daily demonstrating its clear determination to solve its own problems as a matter of priority by creating, among other things, a Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. Having made the maximum regional contribution, therefore, to the resolution of these problems, it wonders why the Security Council seems not to be responding. Where does the Security Council’s chief responsibility lie?”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Last Thursday, 25 September, the Security Council issued a statement on the situation in Africa, in which it said: “The Security Council reaffirms the responsibility of all Member States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means and its own primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.” (S/PRST/1997/46) Burkina Faso shares this vision. Together with other African countries, it has become involved in subregional and regional initiatives with regard to our brother countries of Liberia, the Central African Republic and Burundi, to name only a few. Burkina Faso, whose confidence has been strengthened by that experience, reaffirms the inestimable value of preventive diplomacy.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Sir, your rich experience in the United Nations system, your country — Ukraine — your current responsibilities and your personality assure us of the competence and dedication with which you will fulfil your mission as President of the fifty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly. We would like to extend our most sincere congratulations and our gratitude to your predecessor, Ambassador Ismail Razali of Malaysia, for a full, hard- working and stimulating fifty-first session. We reiterate our encouragement and support to the Secretary-General, 22 Mr. Kofi Annan. We also wish to commend the work which he and his team have accomplished in only nine months.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Solidarity, the key word, must prevail and guide our actions if we want a global village, not just a series of enclaves that are more or less fortunate and in the long run condemned to mutual destruction. Multilaterlism could prevent that fate, especially since we are now seeing that the State is surrendering control over certain elements of its sovereignty. Everywhere, structures and organizations with varying degrees of legality are transcending States and establishing transnational networks and relations. It is therefore imperative that we keep pace with these trends and adapt now and in the future our special instrument, our common instrument: the United Nations at the service of peoples. Political will is what will make the difference.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We thank Ambassador Owada and his country, Japan, for their 3 interest in the development of Africa. However, we must acknowledge that the results of our negotiations with our other partners continue to fall short of our expectations, needs and priorities, although Africa has largely met its commitments. The same goes for the mid-term review undertaken by the United Nations Children’s Fund on the outcome of the World Summit for Children. Increased resources are necessary and expected. Self-control is the beginning of wisdom, but it is not enough without an enabling environment. From the discussions in the Uruguay Round to the creation of the World Trade Organization, this point is constantly being borne out.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“In all cases, statements on both sides very often sound like incantations crashing against the wall of cold implacable reality. The idea of globalization, paradoxically, goes hand in hand with that of fragmentation, both political and economic. The world conferences held over the past six years have promoted the concept of partnership. We still need to give that concept real content and weight. Unfortunately, we still possess neither of these despite real efforts by some partners of the North. Invective, tirades of complaint and exhortations have not advanced the debate nor brought us closer to the right solutions. From 16 to 20 September 1996, we held the mid- term review of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We encourage this trend. In Burundi, a military coup d’état swept away civilian rule, but the fraternal States of the subregion rejected fait accompli by ordering sanctions. We are therefore concerned by the situation in that country, which has already been traumatized by numerous ethnic conflicts. The international community should pay heed to that and provide resources. Turning to the subject of Taiwan, Burkina Faso would refer to the principle of universality in the matter of representation of 22 million people. We hope that an ad hoc committee will be established. Poverty is on the rise. It is the result of the policies of the countries that control the markets. Poverty is also the consequence of unequal distribution among the developing countries.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The United Nations has charge over destinies and people. It is also an institution that must be managed, but one in which everyone has a place. I have dwelt at length on this point because Burkina Faso is a community of men that understands, appreciates and supports the fact that the United Nations is irreplaceable. It is an instrument which has no equal and we desire a world of fraternity and progress. Africa is fighting for its development, although beset by crises and conflicts, such as those in Liberia and Burundi. In Liberia, after the events of April 1996, the summit meeting of the Committee of Nine and a certain open-mindedness on the part of faction leaders calmed the situation, permitted the nomination of a new Head of State in the person of Ms. Ruth Perry, opened up prospects for the holding of elections.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Hence the principle of the sovereign equality of States, who assumed that, regardless of their size or importance, each should participate to the best of its ability in the functioning of the Organization because, in this way, each worked equally to attain the principles and purposes of the Charter. Nor is it a coincidence that those which bore a greater burden in this respect were given a privilege in the Security Council, though it was to be exercised on behalf of all and for the benefit of all. What is happening nowadays? The United Nations is unique. It is political. Its role and its objectives are very special. How can we, therefore, try to see it as a company whose shareholders want to move it in a particular direction on the basis of the number of shares they hold? How could we continue to call ourselves United Nations?”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Moral authority is based on the ability to convince the majority in a lasting and complete way. To be followed without conviction is to run the risk of abandonment as soon as short cuts can be safely taken. The joint aspiration of the States Members of the United Nations was, is and must remain that of following a common path beneficial to all. It is no coincidence that in the Charter, drafted at the end of a conflict in which Powers imposed themselves on other Powers, spirit and letter came together so that States large and small could feel involved as much in the responsibilities and decision- making as in the outcome.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The reform of the United Nations system is understood in various ways and we have yet to find the formula that can be supported by everyone. Difficulties arise from the demands of some and the reluctance of others. Clearly, reform must be a joint effort or it will not come about. We are concerned because all of these combined factors might encourage the disturbing trends to which I referred earlier. Indeed, the financial situation of the United Nations is central to the significance and future of our Organization. An institution, a community of men and women, can be created by force — can, for a time, be maintained by force — but it is not force that makes them last. The idea of leadership is based on the ability to take decisions as well as on moral authority.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The cause of this is historical, but this perception is now more widespread and stark, 51 years after the creation of the Organization. Yet today, through the deliberations and decisions of the Security Council, a veritable body of substantive international law, armed with sanctions and strewn with ad hoc tribunals, is emerging. After 51 years, the General Assembly, the pedestal and guarantor of this structure, finds itself stripped of its powers and even of its functions. We cannot compare the General Assembly to the Security Council but recent developments in these two bodies have accentuated their differences instead of emphasizing their complementarity, which is not a healthy situation. Ironically, this situation coincides with the vehement, ongoing clamour for transparency and democracy everywhere.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The sovereign equality of States and the principle of free trade are being damaged by unilateral measures, despite the fact that the General Assembly of the United Nations has reaffirmed these principles and the strict respect that should be accorded to them. Moreover, we are facing a financial crisis that is essentially caused by the default on payments of assessed contributions due to the Organization. The overwhelming majority of speakers who have preceded me have said that this practice is unacceptable, particularly on the part of those who have the capacity to pay. The procedures and decision-making process of the Security Council are still fairly opaque, despite some minor openings. The geographical origins of the permanent members run counter to the principle of equitable geographical distribution.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We wish to convey our great gratitude to him. Finally, I pay well-deserved tribute to the Secretary- General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his outstanding efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations and for the talent and tenacity with which he has guided the Organization in these difficult times. In July 1996, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity adopted in Yaoundé, Cameroon, a declaration expressing its appreciation for and stressing the work done by Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali at the helm of the United Nations. According to tradition and the rules of fairness, Africa is entitled to a second mandate, which we hope will come about. The current trends on the international scene are disquieting.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Like some others present here, I too have had the opportunity to visit Malaysia. Malaysia is a great country, both in size and because of its outstanding successes in many areas. But it is a great country above all because of the quality of the women and men who govern it and who represent it on the international scene. Ambassador Razali Ismail is without doubt one of its most eminent representatives. I am therefore convinced that he will preside over the work of our 51-year-old Organization with great cheer and efficiency. I convey to him and to all the elected members of the Bureau my congratulations and best wishes for success. I would also like to congratulate his predecessor, Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral, whose personal qualities and wealth of experience guided the work of the historic fiftieth session in an exemplary manner.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)