YouSaid · the spoken record

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THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS TURNQUEST

lines on the record: 66
first: 1992-09-24
most recent: 1994-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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““It is not just as we take it, This mystical world of ours; Life’s field will yield as we make it: A harvest of thorns or of flowers.””
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The preparatory period for this event is an ideal time for reflection on targets and objectives which have already been set by our Organization, some of which have now been outstanding for many years. Turning fifty is an opportunity for the Organization to regain the confidence of our peoples. It will take hard work and determination to achieve the desired results so that over the next 50 years the United Nations will be known in all societies and across all levels of those societies as the real leader in the fight to bring dignity to mankind. In the words of the great Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: 10 “We must not hope to be mowers And to gather the ripe gold ears Unless we have first been sowers And watered the furrows with tears.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The Group’s work thus far has been positive and constructive, and we trust that the momentum of its discussions will be maintained. The report on the Security Council is of importance to all Member States. As its conclusions affect each Member quite directly, it is essential that the Council should be seen to reflect as accurately as possible the wishes of the entire international community. Accordingly, it is imperative that the composition of a new Security Council properly reflect regional diversity and thereby enhance the legitimacy of the actions of that important United Nations body. We in the Bahamas look with great expectation to the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It is from this perspective that the Bahamas supports the efforts of the Republic of China to entreat the Organization to examine the merits of establishing an ad hoc committee to analyse comprehensively the current implications and future ramifications of the preclusion of the 21 million people in the Republic of China from contributing to, and availing themselves of, all the benefits deriving from membership in the United Nations and its affiliated agencies. Our Organization is expected to reflect universality and to demonstrate impartiality when forging international agreements for policy commitments, for accessing resources and for action. The Bahamas welcomes the report of the Open- ended Working Group on the question of more equitable representation within the membership of the Security Council.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“After all, development is a prerequisite for peace. For small countries with limited resources, such as the Bahamas, a major justification for membership in international organizations is the enhancement of national capacity. It is therefore the duty of the United Nations to facilitate the efforts of small countries to arrive at just and equitably sound solutions to differences within the international society of States, especially when they involve political and economic giants.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“While the socio-economic health of the world still presents challenges for the Organization, we have scored some political successes in the recent past. These successes include, of course, the peace accord between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed in September of last year, which led to self-rule in the Gaza Strip and Jericho for the Palestinian people, and the signing of the Washington Declaration between Israel and Jordan last July. We also applaud and encourage the dialogue now under way between Israel and Syria. In spite of those successes, peace-keeping still occupies an important place in our activities. However, we must ensure that peace-keeping operations are not conducted at the expense of other activities which are equally important, such as the development programmes of the United Nations.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Among its new achievements are the recognition of the legal status of archipelagos, the 12-mile territorial sea, transit passage, the exclusive economic zone, and the protection and preservation of the marine environment and the resources of the deep seabed as the common-heritage of mankind. The Bahamas was particularly pleased to join with other Member States in signing the agreement on seabed mining in July of this year, as that agreement modifies provisions that had prevented many States from becoming parties to the Convention. The long awaited entry into force of the Convention is therefore of extreme importance, as it provides a boost to our efforts to curb infringement on both our national security and our national resources.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In this connection, I would remind the Assembly of an important message which was reinforced by the recent Conference on Small Island Developing States, that is, that unless the peculiar difficulties of these States are properly addressed, those States will not have the wherewithal to proceed on a path to sustainable development. The marine environment presents both an opportunity and a constraint with respect to the sustainable development and security of any island State. As a maritime nation, the Bahamas attaches tremendous importance to the Convention, which has resulted in the creation of a new legal regime for the oceans.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“For its part, the Bahamas is engaged in a process of refining its development indicators in an attempt to ensure that data provided to international institutions are truly reflective of our economic-development reality. We expect that the data so provided will also have an impact upon our budgetary assessments. This comprehensive review, we believe, must include consideration of the vulnerability index identified in the Programme of Action of the Global Conference on Small Island Developing States as the direction to be followed in the development of a measurement of the 9 ecological fragility and economic vulnerability of small island developing States.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“As a small archipelagic country of a mere 260,000 people scattered over 100,000 square miles, burdened by the cost of transportation and infrastructure replication, and with a very small minority of our residents in an extremely high income bracket whilst the overwhelming majority of the population is at the opposite end of the economic scale, we are advocating that this grossly misleading per capita criterion for gross national product should not be the only basis upon which resources and assistance are allocated to developing countries, such as the Bahamas. It is the view of the Bahamas that the entire system for determining eligibility for development assistance should be comprehensively reviewed, as it is clear that special consideration ought to be given to countries like the Bahamas, with peculiar imbalances and vulnerabilities.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“These solutions must include programmes specially suited to the differing levels of development of Member States. We must therefore ensure that our quest for sustainable development is people-centred. We must consider sustainable human development with a focus on justice, equality and democratic freedom as well as on material well-being that incorporates equal opportunity for all. Inequity engenders violence, and violence fragments society. The Bahamas, in spite of its apparent growth and strong economic indicators, is still only a developing nation. However, unlike many other developing nations, the Bahamas is continually frustrated in its efforts to secure international resources and concessionary financing from multilateral institutions because of its reputed level of per capita gross national product.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The real threat to our future security is therefore no longer military aggression but deteriorating economic conditions. The alleviation of widespread poverty while managing finite resources in the face of spiralling population growth will be among the major challenges of the twenty-first century. The Bahamas, therefore, looks forward to the Secretary-General’s revised “Agenda for Development”, hopeful that it will serve as an effective guideline for the creation and implementation of measures commensurate with the legitimate aspirations of Member States. We must not lose ground in this session by becoming submerged in attempts to redefine development. We must, rather, focus on the different levels of development that exist in our several countries. We must learn their effects and find solutions for narrowing obvious disparities.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The gravity of the Haitian crisis, the inhumanity of the genocide in Bosnia, the cruelty of the murders in Rwanda and the ongoing war in Angola all are clarion calls to our Organization and to the world that we must desist from tardy, piecemeal approaches and address in a timely and comprehensive manner not only the effects but the very root causes of these situations. Not least among these is economics, evidenced by a crisis in development. Despair at the hopeless socio- economic conditions of one’s daily life has given rise, in those so affected, to a basic pessimism and to the willingness to risk even one’s life for changed circumstances. Where basic needs are unmet and survival is in jeopardy, there is little stake in the future and little reason to consider the sustainability of one’s actions.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The increased demand to assist persons fleeing political persecution is demonstrated in the ethnic purges and warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dramatic exodus, during the first half of this year, of hundreds of thousands of persons across the seas on unseaworthy craft or down long roads across borders dramatically brought to the attention of the world community the plight of undocumented persons seeking shelter outside of their homelands. The burden borne by the Bahamas as a result of the presence of large numbers of undocumented Haitians is now compounded by the more recent arrival of hundreds of Cubans seeking to enter the United States of America. The Bahamas Government is encouraged by recent efforts by both the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba to address this perennial problem of Cuban migrants.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It is especially important that the international community now dedicate sufficient funding and expertise to the economic reconstruction of Haiti to achieve democracy in that land. It must continue to do so even today as Haitians await the announced departure of the feared military from leadership and the return of their elected President. We who promote and encourage the adoption of democratic forms of government must also accept a degree of responsibility to service that democracy, especially in its infancy. The infant democracy that is struggling to be born in Haiti will 8 surely die unless it receives the succour and support of the international community. Since the Second World War, the world community has addressed the plight of political refugees.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The support given to the early initiative led by the Caribbean Community to force a resolution of the crisis in Haiti has already borne fruit, and we commend the United States of America for its leadership in this important initiative. We therefore join in welcoming the formation of the multinational force authorized by the Security Council to take all necessary action to restore the democratically elected government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Notwithstanding the tremendous costs that in recent years have accrued to the Bahamas as a result of developments in Haiti, we have also agreed to lend manpower support to that force. Today’s announcement that the coup leaders have resigned and will be leaving the country now paves the way for the desired return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide later this week.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Members are aware of the tremendous burden that my country has had to bear in this regard. This refuge has been provided by the Bahamas in spite of the absence of either recognition or assistance from the international community. To say that our education, health and welfare resources have been stretched beyond capacity in our small island developing country is to greatly understate the situation. When we add the extra costs attributable to the necessary marine patrols associated with the monitoring of undocumented persons, the full burden created in the Bahamas by Haitian nationals fleeing their homes begins to become apparent. Hence, the recognition by this body of the absolute necessity for the world community to forcibly respond to the brutality of the military dictatorship in Haiti is very much appreciated.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The Bahamas fully supports the noble cause of the Government of South Africa as it begins the task of reconciliation and reconstruction. President Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa can be fully assured of my Government’s hand of friendship. Victory in South Africa allowed us to dare to hope for an opening in Haiti. This Assembly knows very well the long history of abuse of that poor Caribbean nation — a land in which the apartheid of wealth has flourished in a destitute country. For many generations now, Haitian nationals have felt compelled to abandon their homes, frequently in unseaworthy boats, in search of personal dignity and of economic and political liberty. My country has frequently been their first safe harbour, and, while proud of our record of assistance, we have been and remain ill-equipped to offer such refuge.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The credible success of this world Organization and its specialized agencies in measurably improving the health, literacy and education standards of the world’s poor is no mean achievement. So also has been the success of this body in seeking to ensure the environmental integrity of the planet, in galvanizing the resources of the world to fight the illicit drug traffic, and in peacefully resolving disputes. We can all be justly satisfied that the persistence of this Assembly played a pivotal role in bringing to an end the racist Government in South Africa. The victory of non- racial democracy in that torn land must give us hope even in the face of the most intractable problems. The Bahamas joins other Members in welcoming South Africa back into the fold of the General Assembly.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Our Secretary-General continues his outstanding stewardship of the United Nations during these critical times, when this world body is increasingly being called upon to respond to crises of staggering dimensions. The Bahamas appreciates his tireless efforts. Anniversaries are times of celebration and times of reflection. As this world assembly approaches its fiftieth birthday, it is wholly appropriate that we should seek to evaluate our record. I believe that we can all agree that in our efforts to guide international relations in the 50 years since the end of the Second World War, there have been both successes and failures. We must surely build on the successes and redirect our energies to effectively reduce the number of failures.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“I wish to join other speakers in congratulating you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session. Your experience in international affairs, as well as your proven diplomatic skills, provide the assurance of a successful conclusion of our deliberations. At the same time, I wish to express our gratitude and sincere appreciation to His Excellency Ambassador Samuel Rudolph Insanally, for the distinguished manner in which he presided over this historic Assembly during a particularly challenging forty-eighth session, ably representing not only his country, Guyana, but the entire 7 Latin American and Caribbean region. We commend him for his performance.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“When asked about the concern and care he demonstrated for his brother he replied, "He ain’t heavy, Father; he’s my brother". The fact is, our brother is heavy, but we bear him gladly, in Christian charity, and in full and great expectation of imminent peace in Haiti. Our Bahamas remains proudly and immovably in league with this great Organization.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In our Caribbean corner of this global village, the Bahamas continues its efforts in the struggle to bring about peace and democracy in neighbouring Haiti. The success of this process will permit our own social and economic landscape to be relieved of the extra burden of caring for the thousands of illegal immigrants from that country who defy the sometimes harsh elements of nature in search of a safe haven in our relative paradise.We trust that the world - and especially the Member States of this Organization - has taken due note of the enormous weight imposed upon our small country by this undertaking. The Bahamas has well demonstrated its concern and care for its neighbours of the Republic of Haiti. I call to mind the famous statement by one of the young residents of Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Town United States of America .”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As we approach the fiftieth year of our Organization’s existence, to ensure even better years ahead our watchwords should be "perspective" and "purpose": perspective in not losing sight of the goals of our founding fathers, who emphasized the primacy of people in the preamble to our Charter; and purpose in recognizing and accepting that the means for, and the road to, the end of international disorder and insecurity must begin with the individual. Our initially separate personal attitudes, motives and actions ultimately determine whether there will be an international climate for peace or one for disorder. The success of our Organization is therefore dependent, at one and the same time, on our international, collective and personal actions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Bahamas is very cognizant that we remain one of the few cases of comparative political tranquillity and unassailed natural beauty. Our commitment to the maintenance of national unity and the preservation of the environment is unwavering. We therefore believe that the Bahamas is ideally suited as a propitious setting for difficult negotiations, and we offer the Organization our facilities, which, we are convinced, will enhance the conduct of such affairs. We further pledge our commitment to contribute, to the extent possible, to making operational the Secretary-General’s "Agenda for Peace" and Papua New Guinea’s proposed agenda for development. We see these agenda items as practical approaches to dealing with problem-solving for conflict resolution, peace-keeping and post-conflict peace-building, and poverty alleviation.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Despite a 100 per cent increase in the regular budget assessment for the Bahamas over the past five years, we remain unwavering in our acceptance of the necessary sharing of the financial burden in order that this Organization may achieve its objectives. On the other hand, 8 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session the Bahamas wishes to have consideration given to the level of its assessment, and in that process we shall be submitting evidence that our reputed comparatively high per capita income not only masks the true indigenous per capita income situation, but also belies the increasing demands arising from the development needs of our widely scattered archipelago. We submit that, given these circumstances, there ought to be some mitigation available to the Bahamas, given these circumstances.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“To underscore this commitment, The Bahamas has recently deposited instruments of accession to international agreements in some of the priority areas on the United Nations agenda, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and we shall shortly sign the chemical weapons Convention. In reality, the approaches and solutions found in these Conventions have long been traditional Bahamian policy and practice.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Throughout this global village our Member States are facing the disintegration of the traditional family values, coupled with rampant unemployment. We must re-emphasize those spiritual values which respect life, the dignity and worth of the human person and his or her importance to national life and development. In order that our peoples will avoid hopelessness and survive the adverse effects of economic decline, we must share more directly the burden of action for solutions with those community institutions and social partners which are the teachers and the examples of positive spiritual and moral values. Fundamentally, the Bahamas remains morally persuaded of, and financially committed to, the goals and worth of the United Nations.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“And, lastly, how do we ensure that environmental awareness, as a catalyst for a better quality of life globally, does not become yet another trade conditionality? These questions are being posed because, if they are neglected or inadequately addressed, the new world order will be but a shifting of power centres and a spawning of new seeds of international economic, social and political instability. In many countries, including the Bahamas, social tensions are reordering national priorities. We must return to basics in dealing with problems of a pandemic nature, such as poverty, illicit drugs, crime, violence, international terrorism, human rights violations and disease, especially the urgent necessity for dealing with the devastations caused by acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Again, we must find our focus in the purposes and principles of the Charter. Against that background, there are several questions I feel must be put as part of the deliberations we will undertake during this session. First, is the peace dividend releasing adequate resources and civilian expertise to impact developmental needs? Secondly, should life after self-determination for the newer members of the international community provoke stagnant growth in those less-recently sovereign? Thirdly, is there sufficient retraining and assistance to ensure that the trade liberalization facilitated by megablocs promotes fair, democratic and transparent institutional strengthening and the widest empowerment?”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In this connection, we particularly underscore the need for the fullest support of the implementation of the Governors Island Accord on the restoration of democracy in Haiti, not only on the basis of unrelenting moral pressure but, equally, through material and technical assistance towards fostering the economic revitalization and enduring health of that country’s democratic institutions. While the unpleasant spectacle of politics through conflict has reasserted itself at the centre of the world stage, regrettably, politics has two companions, which often influence it, though rarely gaining the same degree and magnitude of attention given to politics. These two companions are economic and social tensions. We must ever be vigilant of these two, often unruly companions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We must remain focused so that narrower vested interests do not hinder the achievement of goals set in the wider interest. We must permit no circumstance to impede the earliest cessation of the atrocities of war for a return to peaceful settlement of disputes. We must be sensitive to and respond practically, in the spirit of the Charter, to national needs, pressures and civil unrest. The call for regional action in the settlement of disputes and peace-keeping will also need to be further emphasized as we seek to maintain the integrity of the Organization.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Bahamas places particular emphasis on the role of the United Nations in the economic and social fields and fully expects that the revitalized United Nations will provide an enhanced capacity for the Organization to perform that Forty-eighth session - 11 October l993 7 important role. It is in this context, therefore, that we support the efforts of the Secretary-General to restructure the Organization in the economic and social fields. As members are aware, success invariably brings greater responsibilities and challenges. Indeed, these greater responsibilities, challenges, and even attendant impediments, have regrettably already begun to sour the excitement of the many achievements attained. But we must not let this reverse side of success debilitate us.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In this context, the Security Council resolution that determines the Kuwaiti boundary must be respected. In addressing the hurdles which must be overcome before lasting solutions are achieved, we believe that more emphasis should also be placed on the expanded economic, social and military role of the United Nations. That role is demonstrated by the peace-keeping forces dispatched globally and by the recent successful Conferences on Environment and Development and Human Rights, as well as by the forthcoming conferences on women, population and development, the Summit for Social Development and, most importantly for the Bahamas, the forthcoming Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held at Barbados in 1994.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In the political sphere, such successes include the fostering of a shift to democracy in Eastern Europe; the dramatic reduction, through voluntary destruction, of nuclear weapons; the Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) and United Nations in Haiti; the establishment of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991; the establishment of the Transitional Executive Council in South Africa; the very recent signing of the historic peace accord between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), as well as the Declaration of Principles between Israel and Jordan; and the repelling of aggression and the restoration of sovereignty in Kuwait.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“There is no question that the United Nations, in its often unappreciated role in the promotion of such objectives as international cooperation and respect for human rights, has been vindicated in this approach by successes far beyond expectations.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As we near the fiftieth anniversary of the Organization, it is the view of the Bahamas that that significant turning- point should be seized as an opportunity to assess where we are and what is required to move further ahead in the fulfilment of the principles of the Charter, so that the forthcoming anniversary will indeed be cause for celebration. In reflecting on what is required to move ahead, we invite all Member States to focus with us on how each one of us, given our varied capacities, can assist the Organization in moving closer to the full achievement of the principles enshrined in the Charter.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“(The Holy Bible, Matthew 2:15) Like his predecessor, he has performed beyond our expectations, and is deserving of our praise for his proficiency in assisting this Organization in shaping contemporary history so dramatically. At this juncture I wish to take this opportunity to extend the deepest sympathy of the Government and the people of the Bahamas to the people and the Government of India, who suffered such tragic loss of life and property during the recent devastating earthquake, and to reaffirm our solidarity with them during this time of national disaster. It would be very easy for me on behalf of my Government and country to rehearse the developments of the past year and offer the members of the Assembly some observations. However, we believe that a focus on the future is more timely.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“His presidency witnessed significant achievements and today we are the beneficiaries of his visionary leadership. While we who are privileged to represent our Governments have the luxury of pronouncing international policies, the Secretary-General enjoys no such luxury. His is the responsibility of going beyond the rhetoric to the substance of the many resolutions and decisions which we adopt in this Assembly each year. His task is therefore dauntingly complex. Nevertheless, he has borne his enormous responsibilities with great dignity and high distinction. In this connection, we cannot help but recall the biblical injunction: "Out of Egypt have I called my Son".”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Your unanimous election to the presidency of this forty-eighth session of the General Assembly, Sir, is an historic occasion not only for you personally and for your great country but also for every Caribbean Government and person. Bahamians, together with all Caribbean peoples, therefore pay high tribute to you and to your country. We are fully conscious of your impeccable and enviable credentials as a diplomat, and we are satisfied that those same skills will serve to guide us through this session, despite its challenges, to successful and lasting results. Permit me also to pay high tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Stoyan Ganev of Bulgaria, for his outstanding contributions to the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It is therefore with much joy that we warmly welcome all new Members and extend to each the fraternal hand of friendship and partnership in the continued struggle for human dignity and development. The Bahamas has also witnessed significant national development since its membership. Today we are one of the most stable and democratic societies. We are proud of this achievement, and we encourage all those who would to 6 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session follow our example of freedom, justice and peace, buttressed by sound principles of human and national development. We have yet another reason for celebration.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Twenty years ago the Bahamas took its seat as the 138th Member in this Assembly of the United Nations, and we proudly assumed the solemn obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Charter. This session marks our twentieth anniversary, which we celebrate with our friends of the now reunited Germany with whom we were admitted. As we reflect on the global events of those two decades, we see a world significantly transformed. Where there was a single Soviet Union and a single Yugoslav Republic, we now have the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States. In addition, the admission of many new States to this great Organization has resulted in an almost complete universality of membership.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It was fitting that with the coming into being of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945 the Preamble to our Charter reaffirmed our determination to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and our faith in fundamental human rights, and established conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law should be maintained. In those 47 years, many swords have been beaten into plowshares, and many spears into pruning hooks. It is now left for us to make abidingly true the end of that refrain, that nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall we learn war any more.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The new world order can be lasting only if all constituent elements grow in harmony. A multilateral, concerted and comprehensive approach is vital for the implementation of effective and lasting solutions to global problems. As I noted at the outset, this year's commemoration of the quincentennial in the Bahamas and in the Western hemisphere offers a unique opportunity to make real and meaningful and mutually beneficial that original encounter of the old and new worlds. There are those who condemn that encounter but Columbus did come and as a result a medley of old and new cultures and civilizations emerged.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Expanded responsibilities translate into greater costs, which must be borne by the States Members of the Organization. In the coming decade it is vital to use in the most effective and efficient manner this Organization, which has demonstrated the importance of its promotional and catalytic role, particularly in bringing to the surface issues which are likely to assume importance in coming years. The creation of a stable and more favourable international environment is fundamental to the strengthening of multilateral policy coordination within an enhanced framework, especially if we are to realize our new vision for an improved new world order. This requires the collective resolve of the giant nations as well as of tiny nations, such as the Bahamas, to work together to remove constraints and to allow for optimum growth and development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The recently concluded negotiations on a convention banning chemical weapons is a further important step forward in curtailing the use of weapons of mass destruction. Further progress in this area will be determined by the political will of Member States, their commitment to their obligations under existing disarmament agreements, and the more recent agreements, such as the United Nations universal and non-discriminatory Register of Conventional Arms, which became operational on 1 January 1992. The Bahamas remains totally committed to general and complete disarmament. The bedrock for action by the United Nations lies in States adhering to, and consistently applying, the principles of the Charter. It costs money to put principles into practice.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The contributions of the membership are certainly a more cost-effective and humane solution to international disputes than the conflict and human suffering that occur when States feel that they are unable, or are unwilling, to use the machinery offered by the United Nations and resort to war. We welcome the recent pronouncements of the Presidents of the United States of America and of the Russian Federation of 17 June 1992 to reduce their nuclear arsenals below the numbers agreed to last summer during the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty Talks (START) and their joint statement on chemical weapons in which they reiterated their commitment to the global elimination of such weapons.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Meantime, the spectre of famine remains over the Horn of Africa, demonstrating that not all change is positive. Almost everywhere pluralistic democratic values are surfacing and tending to dominate. In a world of tinder, fire-breaks are needed. The United Nations peace-keeping operations can be considered just such fire-breaks. The support of the international community, both political and material, remains an essential characteristic of peace-keeping operations, regardless of their size. Political support by Governments can mean the difference between a party's compliance with the terms of an agreement and serious infractions that jeopardize lives and progress towards peace. The price of United Nations peace-keeping is, by monetary standards, a bargain. But the United Nations is more than just good value.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In this regard my Government has undertaken to give early consideration to all of the human rights conventions to which the Bahamas is not yet a party, including the Covenants relating to economic, social and political rights. The pace of change in international politics is straining mankind's capabilities of assimilation and assessment. In Western Europe the outlines of super-nationalism have become visible. In Central Europe the echoes of history are heralded again after more than 40 years of silence. And in Eastern Europe communism is in full-scale retreat under the implacable pressure of the recognition of its limitations and of rising expectations. In Asia countries that could scarcely feed themselves a generation ago have become tigers of economic competition.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Today, we live in a world of much lowered ideological tension, a world in which representative democracy is of fundamental importance. Indeed, the renewal in many parts of the world of the democratic process implies greater respect for human rights. In that regard, the United Nations must play a catalytic role in ensuring that human rights are assured. We have also come better to understand the relationship between respect for human rights and our search for economic and social development, and we must measure that development by actual improvements in human lives and not exclusively in monetary terms. We are hopeful that the greatly changed international environment and the renewal of interest worldwide in human rights will contribute to the success of the World Conference on Human Rights scheduled for 1993.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)