YouSaid · the spoken record

Insulza

lines on the record: 50
first: 1994-09-24
most recent: 1995-09-24
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

“20 As a country that is open to the world, we have expressed our readiness to assume in full the international responsibilities incumbent on us in the common task of bringing about peace, security and development. We are convinced that this Organization, which we helped to found fifty years ago, will continue to be the main multilateral vehicle for our proposals, our contributions and our dreams.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We greatly value the initiatives the Secretary- General has been taking in this direction, and we assure him of our full support in his efforts to adapt our Organization to the new realities. Over the past 10 years, Latin America has undergone far-reaching structural changes in the direction of democracy, respect for human rights and economic reform. Now we are also making an effort to attack the major problems of poverty and inequality that blight us, and to eliminate once and for all the scourges of drug trafficking and corruption. Chile, as an integral part of the community of Latin America and the Caribbean, is a country of social peace and continuing development. Our economy has experienced sustained growth rates and our country is determined to consolidate the democratic process and attain justice and social equity.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Important reforms also remain to be carried out in the economic and social sphere, through which it will be possible to promote greater efficiency in the discharge of the major tasks of eliminating poverty, protecting the most disadvantaged social groups, creating employment, protecting the environment and strengthening free trade. In these and other areas, we also expect important initiatives from this Assembly. Finally, the financial situation of the United Nations has been a cause of concern to us all. This situation is largely due to the many additional tasks the Organization has had to take on in recent times. But we share the idea that, rather than endlessly increasing contributions, it is important to take up the urgent task of rationalizing expenditure and setting adequate priorities for our activities.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“That will mean making the present categories of membership more flexible, while always maintaining geographical balance. Of course, we agree with all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean that any expansion of the Council should provide for an increase in the representation of our region, which in recent decades has acquired a greater international presence and has shown itself always ready to undertake responsibilities in the strengthening of international security. Nevertheless, the reform needed in the United Nations goes far beyond the Security Council.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“This Assembly will also have to discuss important aspects relating to the reform of the system in these two directions. Chile shares the view of many other countries regarding the need to restructure the Security Council to make it more representative. That entails bringing in as new permanent members countries which over the past 50 years have acquired much greater weight than they had when the Second World War ended. The new realities of the international system have not affected only the developed world. Other regions have increased their influence in a world which — although “globalized” — is still extremely diverse. While maintaining its capacity for rapid decision-making, which implies a small number of members, the Security Council needs to be expanded to take all these factors into account.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It is important to stress that the ending of the cold war leaves the concept of a zone of peace devoid of any ideological implication and makes it possible to acknowledge its practical usefulness. The Government of Chile considers that many regions, including ours, are in a position to follow this example. We intend to request the Secretary-General to engage in consultations with the Governments of United Nations Member States regarding the interest in and possibilities of promoting zones of peace in various regions of the world and to report thereon to the General Assembly next year. If we wish to make an effective response to the challenges we face, we need to improve the representativeness and efficiency of our Organization.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We believe that one of the essential tasks for the United Nations in striving to attain the goal of increasing global stability is to promote the progressive establishment in various parts of the world of regional zones of peace and cooperation that is, geographical areas, defined by the participants themselves, in which are applied agreed rules for coexistence and the strengthening of peace and security. The United Nations has already declared the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic to be zones of peace. The same objective has been pursued by the Treaties of Tlatelolco and Rarotonga in relation to nuclear weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean and in the South Pacific. We need to draw the main lessons from the benefits and limitations of the experience they afford.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fourthly, protect, in cases where sanctions have to be applied, the interests and needs of the most disadvantaged sectors of society; we do not believe in unilateral sanctions or in sanctions that ultimately hit only the weakest. Fifthly, promote greater transparency in the procedures and decisions of the Council, so that the other States Members of the United Nations, civil society and public opinion at large can exercise democratic oversight over its actions; the more widely the complexities of the issues it deals with are known and understood, the greater the support for its work will be. 19 Sixthly, monitor the growing cost of peace-keeping operations with a view to rationalizing use of the available resources and making them more efficient.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We shall: First, focus on preventive diplomacy and on peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with Chapter VI in order to reduce to the minimum the use of force, in accordance with Chapter VII of the Charter. Secondly, promote confidence-building measures and regional solutions based on the capacity for action of countries in the region; the regional option can be effective, as the case of Latin America is demonstrating, and should precede and complement recourse to the Security Council. Thirdly, always maintain a special concern for the victims of the conflicts dealt with by the Council, encouraging the fullest use of humanitarian law.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The areas for purely national action are shrinking, while the need for international agreements and understandings is growing on a daily basis. Another important conclusion is that to deal with this multifaceted constellation of problems, we need to make use of the United Nations system as a whole. If we want to resolve the problems of security, as they are experienced by people and as we have described them here, not only the Security Council, but also the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the specialized programmes and agencies have a vital role to play. We must give them greater responsibilities in relation to these issues. In this context, I wish to outline a number of general principles by which our activity in the Security Council will be guided.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“2) The same problems stemming from the processes of globalization and internationalization have led to the emergence of a new set of problems relating to security. These include the corrosive influence of drug production and consumption, and the corrupting effect of the movements of vast amounts of money that this traffic involves; the degradation of the environment, from its global impact on the ozone layer to its local effect on the health of children and the elderly; the large international migrations resulting from insecurity in the countries of origin; the expansion of international terrorism; and the increase in transmissible diseases such as AIDS. One immediate conclusion emerges: there is no substitute for the multilateral system to tackle this interrelated set of problems.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“On the contrary, it is becoming increasingly apparent that one of the main sources of growth and development for the future is, in all countries, the incorporation of today’s marginalized people into the worldwide production system that is coming into being.” Heads of State and Government from all parts of the world ratified these views at the World Summit for Social Development, when they stated: “We acknowledge that the people of the world have shown in different ways an urgent need to address profound social problems, especially poverty, unemployment and social exclusion, that affect every country. It is our task to attack both their underlying and structural causes and their distressing consequences in order to reduce uncertainty and insecurity in the life of people.” (A/CONF.166/9, annex I to resolution 1, para.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Societies today are aware that social polarization is becoming their main source of uncertainty. The world economy also recognizes this fact. As President Eduardo Frei has said: “We know today that there can be no stable investment in unstable societies, and that economic prosperity cannot prosper amidst human insecurity.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Thus, the promotion of human rights, freedom and democracy cannot be seen as unwarranted interference in other people’s affairs. There cannot be political, cultural, ethnic or religious reasons for trampling on human dignity. This is the core of the emerging international 18 humanitarian law which Chile regards as a cornerstone of the world order for the twenty-first century. In addition, the need to promote the security of the individual has recently acquired particular prominence. The main factors that today affect such security are unemployment, hunger, poverty, marginalization, crime and discrimination on grounds of class, sex, religion, culture or ethnic origin. People are demanding to be included in a process of development which affords opportunity, and asking that shared progress should ensure increased equality for all.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Somalia remind us that hatred that still festers in various parts of our world. People rightly look to the United Nations to bring its political and moral weight to bear in helping prevent such atrocities. Consent to barbarism in any part of the world weakens the moral fibre of all human beings. That is one of the great lessons of the cold war; after the overthrow of fascism, the world also had an opportunity to expand democracy and freedom. Nevertheless, the systematic abuse of human rights which tactical allies were allowed to engage in, and which also characterized the Soviet Union and its areas of influence, reduced the ethical quality of the world inherited after the ending of the cold war. What alarms us today was just yesterday promoted or consented to for “reasons of State”.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“On the other hand, we appreciate the positive attitude of those nuclear Powers that have declared and maintained unilateral moratoriums. Chile, along with other countries, believes that the General Assembly should take a stand on this issue in order to promote an immediate moratorium on all nuclear tests, as proposed by the Heads of State of the Rio Group and the States parties to the Treaties of Tlatelolco and Rarotonga at their recent meeting. The end of the cold war has given rise to a genuine ideological decolonization that has opened the way for greater freedom and democracy in various regions of the world. Nevertheless, the hope that this change would lead to a more peaceful world has been thwarted. The new world disorder has encouraged the development of ethnic, religious, cultural or simply group differences.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“For Chile, France’s decision to renew its nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll, in the Pacific Ocean, is of particular concern. As a Pacific country and a member of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (APEC), has categorically condemned those tests, and President Frei has made our opinion known to President Chirac. We are concerned lest the South Pacific region, in which Chile has vital interests, should become a zone in which it is regarded as legitimate to engage in activities that are unthinkable in other parts of the world. We wish to state clearly our willingness to work together with other States of the region to prevent the proliferation, emplacement, transit or testing of nuclear weapons and other radioactive materials in that region and throughout the world.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“What they produce is profound unease in other nations and in the population of the nuclear- weapon State itself in the face of the possibility that the weapons, in an escalation of folly, might end up being used. The renewal of nuclear tests by certain Powers — precisely at a time when, in the wake of the recent Conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, there should have been a moratorium on such tests so that a definitive test-ban treaty could be prepared — shows insensitivity in this regard. Nevertheless, China and France, countries for which we profess respect and friendship, have opted to continue such tests. We condemn their attitude, and we see this as a clear setback for the cause of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, which we all claim to share.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Both have positive consequences in the economic and political spheres, but at the same time they face us with new situations and uncertainties. The fear of the nuclear destruction that might have resulted from the world-wide ideological confrontation between the major Powers has disappeared, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which Chile is now a party, has been indefinitely extended. Nevertheless, the nuclear Powers and those aspiring to that status still do not acknowledge that the very existence of nuclear weapons capable of destroying mankind is a source of insecurity for us all. To believe that nuclear weapons confer greater security on the State that possesses them is an illusion.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Chile is in a position to assume this responsibility and contribute to the search for the consensuses required to strengthen the Organization and make its decisions really effective. We shall do so on the basis of our 17 principles of international policy, seeking always to reflect the views and interests of the region we wish to represent. We believe that the primary objective of a security policy is to reduce the insecurity of the international community as a whole, of its Member States and of individuals, families and the communities in which they live. Helping to reduce these insecurities is the main task of the United Nations. We are experiencing the combined effects of the ending of the cold war and of the process of increasing globalization.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Hence, it is important, during this session of the Assembly, to engage in a broad debate on the functioning of our system, in order both to adapt its objectives to the new realities and to introduce far-reaching changes in the structures of the Organization, which were designed to meet the challenges of a post-war world that no longer exists. My country aspires to occupy a seat in the Security Council as a non-permanent member in 1996 and 1997. From this rostrum I wish to express our gratitude for the unanimous endorsement we have received from the Latin American and Caribbean Group, as well as for the support to be provided by other countries of the United Nations in the election, which is to be conducted at this session of the General Assembly.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Like never before in the history of humankind, the solution of the problems of the peace and security of States and the people inhabiting them, as well as the protection of the individual, his welfare and his environment, depend more on collective decisions and action than on any one country. Our multilateral system may still have major defects and shortcomings, but there is no replacement that has the political legitimacy of the United Nations to take up the challenges facing us as we approach a new millennium.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Let me first convey to you, Sir, my delegation’s and my own congratulations on your election as President of the General Assembly. Your appointment to preside over the Assembly at such an important session constitutes a recognition not only of your personal abilities but also of the important international role that Portugal plays on the international stage. As we commemorate half a century of the existence of the United Nations, we do so with renewed hopes for the purposes and principles of the Organization, and we wish to reaffirm our country’s commitment to it. The major processes taking place in the modern world have transcended national borders and taken strong root in the multilateral sphere.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Taking up this challenge is not a task for the major Powers alone, although their involvement is essential; rather, it is a task for all nations capable of making a contribution - especially the medium-sized countries, which make up a large part of the international community. Chile is prepared to be a part of this effort, as are, we are sure, all the countries of Latin America. The central role of this Organization must be strengthened and supported in the crucial years that lie ahead, for this is the only way to ensure that the settlement of conflicts does not alter international legality, that arbitrary intervention is prevented and that the rights of the weakest are respected.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“This is becoming increasingly apparent in some developing countries, where poverty is accelerating environmental deterioration as a result of the excessive and uncontrolled use of certain resources. The dual task of maintaining peace and at the same time creating conditions for the elimination of structural sources of conflict is an enormous challenge to this Organization. Nevertheless, we are convinced that if we do not take up the challenge we shall reach the beginning of the next millennium without having laid the real foundations for a new international order that will permit the peaceful coexistence of mankind.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The social Summit, together with the recent Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo, the World Conference on Women, to be held in Beijing in 1995, and the Secretary-General’s proposed Agenda for Development, indicates the growing interest that this Organization is taking in social issues. Chile intends to comply with the agreements reached at the Rio de Janeiro Summit and to promote a new policy on environmental issues. In this context, its National Congress recently approved the Convention on Biological Diversity, and our ratification has just been deposited with the United Nations. In turn, we are convinced that environmental problems will remain unresolved, and may even become exacerbated, if the necessary resources are not available to deal with them through joint action by developed and developing countries.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“This was the thinking behind the convening of the World Summit for Social Development, unanimously approved by the General Assembly. The analysis by Heads of State and Government in Copenhagen next March should lead us to a new policy to combat poverty, promote employment and accelerate social integration. In particular, we believe that the social Summit should adopt a common commitment to eradicate extreme poverty in the world through a concrete and efficient plan of action. What is decided there will be intimately linked to the conditions of security and coexistence in the emerging international order.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The accentuation of inequality or exclusion is not only ethically unacceptable, but also politically dangerous. No new international order will be stable or lasting if it is based on the exclusion of the majority of those who comprise it. We are convinced that the absence of democracy and the lack of economic growth centred on the human being are at the root of the international instability that characterizes our era. President Frei has spoken of a "diplomacy for development", referring in these terms to the necessity to adjust foreign policy to the objectives and needs of each country and to the link that must necessarily exist between our international action and our internal objective of growth with equity. We therefore attach the greatest importance to the Agenda for Development that is under discussion in the United Nations.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The origins of these tensions lie in the exclusion of major sectors of the world’s population from the benefits of the new order, an exclusion aggravated by population growth and by the characteristics of the new world economy, for when factors such as knowledge and technology come to outweigh others, such as the availability of raw materials or low-cost labour, the hopes of those who possess only an abundance of the latter are increasingly disappointed, thus widening and deepening the social gaps within and between countries. From a bitter past, Chile has learned the lesson of the close relationship that exists between peace, democracy, economic growth and social development. The central objective of a security policy is the security of individuals and of the communities in which they live.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We have done so convinced that Chile can legitimately and adequately represent the 39 interests of Latin America and the Caribbean in that important body. We can and must make substantive progress in designing better systems for preventing conflicts or taking immediate action to restore peace. But, unless we simultaneously attack the enormous inequalities and privations that lie at the root of many conflicts we shall not significantly reduce international tensions.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In step with progress in the substantive negotiations, a need is making itself felt to extend and expand safeguards and control regimes until they become universal, without thereby impeding the access of developing countries to sources of science and technology. The recent ratification of the Treaty of Tlatelolco by Chile, Argentina and Brazil, as well as Cuba’s decision to sign it, will enable Latin America to become a genuine nuclear-weapon-free zone. This, together with the manifest reduction in tension and armaments in the region, constitutes an effective contribution by our region to world peace. In this context, we have indicated our interest in becoming a member of the Security Council for the period beginning 1996.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The new impetus in international disarmament negotiations, particularly with respect to a nuclear-test-ban treaty, increases the need for a global, democratic and participatory approach in this area. There is an urgent need to increase the membership of the Conference on Disarmament - the only major multilateral negotiating forum on these topics - to make it sufficiently representative and enable it to respond appropriately to the new challenges. Chile considers that prohibiting the use of fissionable materials for hostile purposes and universalizing security guarantees for non-nuclear-weapon States would be positive steps in the direction of nuclear disarmament. Nevertheless, their success would depend on full acceptance of inspection and verification procedures.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Chile has cooperated in peace-keeping operations, and it has recently expressed its readiness to expand that cooperation, in the profound conviction that improving the capacity of the United Nations system in these efforts is a priority task. The current bureaucratic mechanisms, which place a very heavy burden on the countries providing peace-keeping contingents, must be replaced by others that will make it possible to provide the United Nations with the best in human resources and equipment. It is essential to reach agreement on a statute for protection of United Nations personnel and to create an international fund to administer the financing of peace-keeping operations.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The military occupation of a country is always a regrettable occurrence that we should all like to avoid. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that in this instance such action was taken on the basis of a Security Council resolution and in response to repeated failure to comply with international commitments, failure for which the Haitian military alone are responsible. We reiterate in this Assembly our support for the measures taken by the United Nations and, in particular, our full acceptance of the resolution adopted by the Security Council. The Government of Chile will fulfil its commitments to participate in the reconstruction of Haiti, in the manner agreed upon with the democratic Government of that country, as soon as institutional order has been restored.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The risk is that, if efforts are not made to eliminate the deep-lying causes of tragedies such as this, other similar sources of tension may arise in other countries, testing the capacity of our system to react. Likewise, we cannot fail to express our most profound concern at and most energetic rejection of the extremes to which the fratricidal struggle in the former Yugoslavia has been taken. We urge the warring parties to abandon the use of force as a means of solving their disputes and to submit them to the internationally recognized peaceful means of settlement. Chile is also profoundly concerned at the situation in Haiti resulting from the protracted usurpation of power and the non-implementation of the Governors Island agreements.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Let me also express our satisfaction at the progress made through the agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, which are overcoming obstacles to the attainment of a lasting peace throughout the Middle East. On behalf of my country, I wish to reiterate our support for the negotiations under way between Israel and Jordan, as well as those between Israel and Lebanon and between Israel and Syria. In contrast to these positive steps, we view with great concern the tragedy in Rwanda, horrified at its magnitude and at the inability of the international community to contain it. Chile conducted a national campaign of solidarity with the children of Rwanda which met with an extremely good response in our country.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Chile salutes the people and the Government of the new South Africa in the person of President Nelson Mandela and welcomes the success achieved by the United Nations and by the South African people themselves in building a democratic and just South Africa which respects the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We wish also to express our support for the peace and negotiation process under way in Angola and 38 Mozambique. We urge the rebel forces in both countries to negotiate seriously and in good faith to end this conflict, in compliance with United Nations resolutions. In the case of Angola, the date of 30 September set by the President of the Security Council for the ending of the negotiations is approaching, and it is accordingly essential to arrive at a speedy solution on the basis of the "Acordos de Paz".”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Hence our interest in the integration progress in North America, our search for sounder and more imaginative patterns of economic relations with the European Union, our imminent entry into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (APEC) and our constant readiness, shared with our region, to move ahead with economic cooperation with all regions of the world. Current international circumstances have led to progress in various areas which it is important to emphasize: the defeat of racism and apartheid, progress in disarmament, the solution of international conflicts, cooperation and détente - all issues which have led to the strengthening of the world Organization.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“During the eight years for which the Uruguay Round lasted the countries of the region unilaterally reduced their tariffs by an average of more than 50 per cent and contributed by making significant concessions, despite the fact that not all the objectives they were seeking to negotiate were achieved. Accordingly, we now have the right to call for the results of the Round to be implemented and, once the World Trade Organization has been established, for progress to be made in discussion of the many problems the Round left pending, especially in relation to agriculture and services. Nevertheless, it is obvious that in the current phase of the world economy multilateralism is being accompanied by the negotiation of partial or regional economic agreements which are progressively extending over a large part of international trading activity.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Chile today is a country that is open to the world, dependent for 40 per cent of its gross national product on external transactions and seeking to strengthen its relations with the dynamic centres of growth and technological information. We define our policy as an open regionalism, one which seeks regional integration not in order to close its markets but in order to achieve greater integration into the world economy. In this connection, our preference for multilateralism is well known. We support all the phases of the extensive negotiations under the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and are now in the process of ratifying the agreements reached there. Our attitude in this respect matches that of our main partners in Latin America.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We are sure that today this is more possible than before, given the presence in the region of more democratic regimes than it has ever had in its history. In this context, the Rio Group has become a significant regional political cooperation mechanism, and its activity has recently expanded to cover economic coordination aspects. The strengthening of the Rio Group, which emerged from our continent’s re-democratization and resurgence, is a key to Latin American’s ability to speak with a unified voice in the new international context. That is how our main partners in the world, with whom we meet periodically in discussion forums to which we are attaching increasing importance, perceive it. Our policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean is fully compatible with closer integration into world markets.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Chile has participated in these efforts, negotiating economic complementarity and free-trade agreements with the majority of the countries in the region. In the immediate future, Chile hopes to be able to make a new contribution to the creation of a broad Latin American economic area by achieving closer links with the Common Market of the Southern Cone and by signing complementarity agreements with Ecuador and Peru to add to those already concluded with Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia. We also view with enthusiasm the strengthening of our links with the Central American and Caribbean countries with which we have significantly expanded our political and economic relations and cooperation. We wish to promote a climate of peace, dialogue, solidarity and mutual trust among the countries of the region.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Economic growth and social justice constitute two terms of a single equation. Latin America and the Caribbean are our natural frame of reference and external action as a region that shares both political and security interests and major economic interests. The region has overcome the political, institutional and economic crisis which afflicted it in earlier decades. Most countries of the continent have recently held elections, or will do so in the coming months. The tranquillity, openness and participation that 37 today characterize these processes are convincing proof that Latin America has embarked on a major process of modernization and stability. Along with this has come a major expansion of cooperation and regional integration. Integration initiatives and mechanisms of varying geographical coverage and thematic scope have multiplied.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We are concerned at the difficulty the major countries are nevertheless experiencing in opening up their economies in sectors that are vital to the equitable functioning of world trade. We reject an international trade system based on protectionism by the powerful directed against those who are prepared to accept competition. Nevertheless, economic advances would lack meaning if they did not lead to a substantial improvement in the living conditions of the majority of Chileans. The Government recognizes this and has made the elimination of extreme poverty an essential priority of its programme. Without equity, growth would lose its raison d’être and stability would be threatened by the tensions arising out of the privations experienced by large sectors of the population.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“On the basis of these facts the Government has formulated an ambitious modernization strategy focusing on three main areas: education and training, development of infrastructure, and modernization of the State. The reforms in education seek to respond to the need for effective and creative integration of young people into society, and to meet the challenge of competitiveness. The changes in the functioning of the State entail a special concern for ethics and probity in the exercise of power. Attainment of these priorities should enable us to raise our productivity and increase our capacity to compete in international markets in the context of a growing open economy.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The continuity of this process has made it possible to strengthen the stability of democratic institutions and has increased respect for human rights in the country. Of course, we do not claim that our democracy is perfect; many aspects of it still require further attention, and with that in mind draft legislation on institutional changes is currently being discussed in the National Congress. Nevertheless, we are certain that, together with the other countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Chile will continue to advance along the path of political stability, democratic institutionality and respect for human rights. Our recent economic experience has been successful. Since the return of democracy we have had an average annual growth of more than 6.5 per cent with a very low unemployment rate and controlled inflation.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Poverty, inequality between individuals and between nations, environmental deterioration, unemployment and ignorance, over-population, disorganized migration, and discrimination against women and young people are today as important factors in creating conflict as is military proliferation or ideological confrontation - if not more so. Tackling these problems requires using the imagination, creativity and solidarity of the international community, as well as resources as large as or even larger than those being spent today on resolving conflicts that have already begun. The security of human beings must be an international priority along with widespread promotion of respect for human rights. In March of this year a new phase in the Chilean democratic process began with the installation of the Government of President Eduardo Frei.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Regrettably, along with the signs of hope there has been a re-emergence of many economic, political, ethnic, religious and cultural conflicts and a tendency towards fragmentation and differentiation, which pose new threats to the peace and new challenges for the international order. This process of transition has enhanced the role of the United Nations as the guarantor of world peace and security. It has compelled our Organization to assume new responsibilities, both in negotiations for conflict prevention and in operations for the maintenance or restoration of peace. Nevertheless, the immediate concern to maintain peace and security should not prevent us from recognizing and attacking the root causes of these conflicts.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“36 The fall of the ideological barriers imposed by the cold war gave rise to expectations of an era of peace and global security. These expectations are strengthened by the spread of democracy and the emergence of a new awareness of the importance of human rights throughout the world. At the same time, the processes of globalization and economic interdependence are creating new opportunities for progress and making the dissemination of technology and knowledge more feasible. Nevertheless, five years after the end of the cold war we must acknowledge that the reality has fallen far short of our dreams. The last decade of this century is one of uncertainty and contradictions.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“May I first congratulate you, Sir, on your election to preside over our work. I wish you every success in your presidency, and assure you that you may rely on the full cooperation of the delegation of Chile. I wish also to greet the Secretary-General and to assure him once again of our support in the performance of his difficult task. When he visited Chile a few days after the inauguration of President Eduardo Frei, the Secretary-General had an opportunity to appreciate our readiness to cooperate in the activities of the United Nations system, in the conviction that multilateral action was essential to the strengthening of international peace and security and to the improvement of the living conditions of men and women the world over.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)