YouSaid · the spoken record

Mamadou BAMBA

lines on the record: 59
first: 2003-09-24
most recent: 2005-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“In the same connection, the United Nations should, in my delegation’s opinion, seriously consider imposing sanctions on all persons who are guilty of serious human rights violations, inciting hatred and violence, obstructing the peace process or violating the arms embargo throughout the country. The Ivorian people need peace. We realize that this is primarily the responsibility of the Ivorian people themselves. Nevertheless, without the steadfast support of the international community, peace will be difficult to achieve. Therefore, I call upon our common Organization to shoulder its responsibilities and become even more involved and more active in our national peace and reconciliation process. That is its mandate and the goal of its commitment under Chapter VII of the Charter.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Despite the current stagnation in the peace and reconciliation process, the Ivorian Government implores the international community not to be overcome by disappointment, discouragement or irritation. We invite it to participate more intensively and resolutely in finding solutions to the fundamental problems of the crisis, which, alone, can guarantee the return of a lasting and stable peace in my country and reconcile all our sons and daughters. In that regard, the Security Council must remain actively seized of the case of Côte d’Ivoire, which must be kept on its agenda.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Holding free, fair and transparent elections within a reasonable time frame remains the main objective to be attained if we are to have sustainable peace in Côte d’Ivoire. Nevertheless, the following priority tasks must first be carried out: disarming and dismantling of militias throughout the country; the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, following an initial pre-assembly; the restoration of State administration throughout the national territory; the identification of electors and the establishment of electoral rolls — and, in that connection, the soon-to- be-operational Independent Electoral Commission is a bright note; and the provision of funds for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and the electoral process.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We welcome all the measures taken thus far by the Security Council and are particularly encouraged by the fact that more blue helmets have been sent and that Mr. Antonio Monteiro has been appointed as the United Nations High Representative for the elections in Côte d’Ivoire. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to thank the international community, in particular President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and other regional and subregional heads of State and organizations, for their readiness to help and for their untiring efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the Ivorian crisis. As I stand here before you, the process is practically at a deadlock and the presidential election planned for 30 October will not be held on that date.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The international community must therefore act more resolutely to help countries in conflict tackle the genuine causes of the conflict, while combating poverty, consolidating democratic institutions and promoting those countries’ economic and social development. While we can legitimately rejoice at the resolution of certain conflicts, we must note that, deplorably, certain situations are still far from settled. This is the case in my country, which has not yet found the road to peace, despite the many efforts made by the international community through various initiatives over the past three years, in particular the Linas- Marcoussis, Accra and Pretoria Agreements. The United Nations, through the Security Council, has invested a great deal of energy in strengthening the peace and reconciliation process in my country.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This multilateral legal instrument contains binding obligations on all the States Parties and specific obligations for countries of origin and destination of children who are the victims of child trafficking. As regards the resolution of conflicts on the African continent, there has been notable progress throughout the year. We are encouraged by positive developments in Sudan, Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which includes, in some cases, the satisfactory holding of elections. Nevertheless, despite progress in conflict settlement, we must remain aware of the fact that the situations, generally speaking, remain fragile.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The Government is still waiting to hear the results of the latest international investigation, carried out by the United Nations from July through September 2004, covering important issues such as impunity, serious violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and mercenaries. Trafficking in children has become an increasing problem in Africa and particularly in the countries of West Africa. West African leaders are aware that only by fighting together against this shameful trafficking will they be able to overcome it. That is why, in addition to the bilateral agreements already established 6 and at the initiative of Côte d’Ivoire, nine West African States, meeting on 27 July 2005 in Abidjan, adopted a multilateral cooperation agreement to combat trafficking in children in West Africa.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“That is why my delegation feels that the international community should intensify and coordinate its efforts aimed at providing access to generic medicines for patients in developing countries, including antiretrovirals. When the time comes, Côte d’Ivoire will fully support the world initiative to be launched in 2006 aimed at strengthening the health systems in developing countries by 2010. As regards human rights, my delegation is gratified by efforts made by the United Nations to bring about respect for the human person and to combat impunity in Côte d’Ivoire. We particularly appreciate the visit by the High Commissioner for Human Rights last July, the visits by various commissions to investigate the situation and the visits by Special Rapporteurs.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“So, I would like to reiterate the appeal of the Government of National Reconciliation to the United Nations and to development partners, both bilateral and multilateral, to help us more in facing the new challenges of rebuilding the country, in particular, reintegrating internally displaced persons and rehabilitating our infrastructure, be they educational, health-related, cultural, or environmental. No country can develop and protect its population from need, if it cannot take effective measures against the diseases devastating it, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other contagious diseases, which pose a serious threat to the entire world, particularly the poor countries, and which represent obstacles to the realization of development goals.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We hope that such new sources of financing along with, and as a complement to, traditional financing resources will effectively contribute to combating poverty in the world and bring us closer to attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Attaining the MDGs is a source of hope for the Côte d’Ivoire, which has for some years now been trying to emerge from the socio-political crisis that has ravaged our country. In the first national Ivorian report on the MDGs, which was issued in 2003 based on the data provided in regard to each of the eight development goals, it clearly appears that the Goals will be difficult to achieve by 2015 if the international community does not continue to provide financial support, including the cancelling of our considerable foreign debt.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We would like, inter alia, to mention the allocation of special drawing rights and coordinated measures to encourage voluntary private contributions, the international financial facility presented by the British Government, which has been supported by some developed countries, and a reduction in the price of transferring funds from migrants to their countries of origin. In some States, those remittances constitute 65 per cent of all development assistance. We would also like to mention the contribution of a solidarity surcharge on air tickets in favour of sustained development, a proposal presented by Germany, Brazil, Chile and France in September 2004 that seeks to combat hunger, poverty and fund sustainable development, in particular as regards combating HIV/AIDS and other pandemics.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“That is why I would like to associate my country’s voice with the call for justice and equity in seeking sustainable solutions to problems arising from the multilateral trade system. Here, I draw particular attention to access for our products to developed markets and the subsidies and other forms of domestic support granted by the wealthy countries to their farmers, which impair the competitiveness of our products on world markets. The great challenges facing the world cannot be met unless we do it in the overall context of sustained solidarity. That is why Côte d’Ivoire is glad to see new initiatives put forward by Member States to mobilize additional funds or increase funds aimed at fostering development in poor countries. We congratulate the proponents of those initiatives.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This is why my delegation welcomes the recent decision to cancel the debt of 18 developing countries, while we deplore, as other delegations have, the limited scope of that decision. We would like it to be extended to all African countries. 5 The effective liberalization of international trade can generate sufficient resources for African economies and thus fund various education, health and infrastructure programmes. Unfortunately, customs and trade barriers that bear down on African exports, as well as subsidies to agriculture in the Western countries, cancel out the development efforts of the African countries that are already labouring under the burden of debt. Debt alone consumes four times more budget resources than those we need for education and health.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The countries of the third world are being thwarted in their efforts to develop, labouring under the weight of indebtedness, the volatility in commodity prices, barriers to access to the markets of developed countries, inadequate official development assistance and scarce financial resources, not to mention the conflicts and various pandemics afflicting our populations. I would like to point out that indebtedness is a form of bondage and indebted economies are economies that function under constraints. Finding a durable, innovative and daring solution to this problem is one of the prerequisites for any resumption of growth, not only in heavily indebted countries, but in most developing countries.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“My delegation hopes that we will, during this sixtieth session, be able to adopt a general, comprehensive convention on international terrorism and set up a Human Rights Council. Efforts to achieve greater justice in international economic relations have not been as successful as we had hoped. The gap between the developed and developing countries is widening. The economies of the developing countries are deteriorating and, in some cases, their citizens are becoming pauperized on a broad scale.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This session is of special importance for the Member States and the Organization itself because it takes place at a time when States are asked to speak about thorough-going reforms of the Organization in order to permit it to deal with the triple challenge of development, peace and security and the promotion and defence of human rights. The summit just held on progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was not as successful as we had hoped it would be. We can be gratified, however, that we were able, despite the difficulties, to adopt a final document reaffirming the Goals and the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development, adopted in 2002. For the first time, we were also able to condemn all acts of terrorism, regardless of motive, of who commits them and of where they are committed.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“On behalf of my delegation, I wish to express my sincere congratulations on your election as President of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly. May I wish you and the members of the Bureau full success and assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation. I would like to pay tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Jean Ping, who during his mandate substantially contributed greatly to reviving discussion of United Nations reform and activities for development and international cooperation. I would also like to congratulate warmly the Secretary-General for his courageous initiatives to give our Organization new momentum and further the fundamental ideals and principles of the United Nations. Mr. Hachani (Tunisia), Vice-President, took the Chair.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In that context, Côte d’Ivoire urges respect for commitments and peace agreements concluded together by all States. In the view of my country, this active and relentless commitment to preventing conflicts includes at least three elements: preventive diplomacy, based on a system of early warning; education for peace; and, finally, the struggle against poverty in order to ensure sustainable development. Therefore, once the conditions for a peaceful existence have thus been fulfilled, the entire world will be able to move forward towards a world of shared well-being and happiness.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The countries of the Third World, which must cope with numerous difficulties, clearly cannot achieve the Millennium Development Goals while 2015 is 26 rapidly approaching. However, far from being overcome by defeatism, Africa has acquired a new instrument for development, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and its recommendations are integrated into national and subregional development and anti-poverty strategies. The African continent awaits the international community’s implementation of commitments resulting from the major international conferences, in particular those undertaken by the Group of Eight for NEPAD. I would like to conclude my remarks with an appeal for solidarity to all, given the numerous dangers threatening peace and international security.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Darfur in Somalia, the Middle East, and Iraq cannot be ignored and require sustained attention on the part of the international community. They also undeniably demonstrate the need for a strengthening of multilateralism in the settlement of the conflicts battering the world. Regarding a reform of the United Nations, and particularly reform of the Security Council, I should like to reaffirm the support of Côte d’Ivoire for the shared African position, voiced several times here from this rostrum, in favour of an expanded Security Council with two permanent seats and three other non- permanent seats for Africa.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Glimmers of hope for shortly putting an end to these situations do exist, but that optimism is clearly tempered by the continuation of such scourges as trafficking in children, drug trafficking, trafficking in small arms, mercenaries, child soldiers and terrorism, to name only these few. Thus, the strengthening of a coordinated battle against these scourges, under the aegis of ECOWAS and with the assistance of the international community, is necessary. Côte d’Ivoire is a party to all existing conflict prevention and management mechanisms and intends to be fully involved in all initiatives undertaken to promote peace and stability on the global, continental and regional level. In that framework, it is contributing to the drawing up of a strategy for a pacification and stabilization of the West African region.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to reiterate yet once again the gratitude of the people and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to the international community, in particular to France, the United States, Canada, all other friendly countries, the United Nations, the International Organization of la Francophonie, the European Union, the African Union and ECOWAS for their invaluable contributions, which have made it possible to overcome so many obstacles to date. The situation in Côte d’Ivoire is not preventing us from seeing what is taking place elsewhere, above all on the African continent. The West African subregion is facing crises in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The Government of Côte d’Ivoire therefore takes note of the statement to the press today by the President of the Security Council on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, a statement that our Government considers as a step forward to finding a rapid solution to the crisis. Côte d’Ivoire is also counting on the assistance of international financial institutions and of developed countries for the implementation of the national programme of reconstruction and, in particular, of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. Allow me to indicate here that the security index of the United Nations at its present level is unfortunately a factor that is not facilitating contacts and therefore the start of negotiations with international financial institutions. A review that would lower this level would be most welcome.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The international community should therefore assist Côte d’Ivoire in identifying the perpetrators of human rights and international humanitarian law violations in order to bring them to justice before the competent authorities. We are starting afresh; we can now lay down the burden of our past concerns to embark on the path of hope. All citizens of Côte d’Ivoire without exception are determined to silence those rivalries that only spawn hate and rancour and to pool our efforts in the service of peace through dialogue. This is why we are counting on the ongoing support of the international community for our efforts at consolidating inter- Ivorian dialogue, the principal means for a restoration of confidence, peace and national reconciliation.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“The same is true for the international commission of inquiry into allegations of violations of human rights of 25 and 26 March 2004, and the national commission of inquiry set up in June 2004 to shed light on all alleged human rights violations committed in Côte d’Ivoire since 19 September 2002. That latter commission, which has just concluded its work, should shed light on all allegations of human rights violations in Côte d’Ivoire, including those recently committed in Korhogo. Moreover, the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, for its part, has established a parliamentary commission of inquiry designed to investigate the events of 19 December 2002 and subsequent events, in order to achieve, we all hope, genuine peace and reconciliation. National peace and reconciliation are incompatible with impunity.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Regarding the redeployment of the administration in those areas which have been subjected to war, this operation is gradually continuing, to the satisfaction of local populations, particularly in the west of the country. As to alleged human rights violations following the crisis, Côte d’Ivoire has, out of a concern to combat impunity, above all, indicated its will to be open to all visits or investigations — which, in fact, it has itself requested — in order to appropriately asses the situation. In this regard, I can state that Côte d’Ivoire received a visit in January and February 2004 from the special rapporteurs on freedom of opinion and expression, the elimination of racial discrimination and migrants and mercenaries. During their missions, they had full and total cooperation from the authorities in 25 Côte d’Ivoire.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Athletic events have been taking place recently between the national armed forces and those of the Forces nouvelles in an atmosphere of fraternity and good cheer. It should be recalled that, since 4 July 2003, the Government forces and the armed forces of the Forces nouvelles have signed an agreement marking the end of the war, and this agreement has been respected since then. I would also like to emphasize that, according to the commander of the UNOCI military force, more than 90 per cent of the troops of the United Nations peacekeeping force are already deployed in Côte d’Ivoire. All that is needed now is military logistics support for this force to be entirely operational.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Several texts are currently being discussed in Parliament, and others are not yet under the ambit of that institution. The latter include draft laws dealing with a revision of article 35 of the constitution on criteria for eligibility for the presidency of the Republic; the legal regime for audio- visual communication; the status of the opposition; the declaration of assets of elected individuals; and the suppression of profiteering. Regarding the military, the desire for peace is clear. Thus, after a pause of several months, the so- called quadripartite meetings, which bring together the defence and security forces and the armed forces of the Forces nouvelles under the aegis of impartial forces, that is, the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and Operation Licorne, have resumed.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“On the legislative level, I am pleased to note the convening of the deputies in a special session as of 11 August 2004 to consider the most recent texts resulting from the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. I would like to recall that the National Assembly has already adopted laws on amnesty; the identification of individuals and the stay of foreigners in Côte d’Ivoire; the amendment of article 26 on rural land holdings; the financing of political parties, factions and electoral campaigns under public funding; the declaration of the national heritage by the President of the Republic; the ratification of the additional protocol that amends and supplements the provisions of article 7 of the protocol regarding the free movement of individuals and right of residence and of settlement, signed in Ouagadougou on 30 June 1989; and finally, the National Committee on Human Rights in Côte d’Ivoire.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Moreover, they requested that the Prime Minister and the Government set a timetable for the restoration of State administration and public services throughout national territory. As of today, the results of the reforms are as follows: On the political level, we should note the reintegration of the three ministers who were dismissed from the Government of National Reconciliation and the signing of a decree delegating powers to the Prime Minister. Thanks to these developments, the Government of National Reconciliation resumed its activities, as shown by the meetings Council of Ministers held since then, in which all members of the Government participated.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Thus, the President of the Republic, owing to the serious and continuing threats to the territorial integrity of Côte d’Ivoire resulting from the continuing crisis, had to make use of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution, with a view to implementing the provisions of section III, concerning eligibility, of the programme of the Government of National Reconciliation annexed to the Linas- Marcoussis Agreement, for the end of the month of September 2004. The National Assembly was due to be convened in special session before the end of August 2004 in order to consider and adopt all the legislative texts provided for in the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. The political forces of Côte d’Ivoire committed themselves to beginning the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme by 15 October 2004 at the latest.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Those various meetings between the Côte d’Ivoire and its neighbours created a climate of confidence and in part contributed to the success of the Accra III summit, held in the capital of Ghana on 29 July 2004 under the co-chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. John Kufuor, President of Ghana and Acting President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, and in the presence of ten heads of State of Africa, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union and the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS. 24 In the context of the holding, in Côte d’Ivoire, of open, free and transparent elections in 2005, important decisions accompanied by a road map were made at the Accra III summit.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“During those meetings, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali agreed, inter alia, on the need to revitalize their cooperation in various areas, including human rights; the strengthening of safe economic corridors pending the reunification of Côte d’Ivoire; the strengthening of cooperation in security and defence matters, especially the surveillance of borders; a commitment not to allow the territory of one State to serve as a base for the destabilization of other States of the subregion; and the commitment of the three countries to work together to ensure the success of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme undertaken in Côte d’Ivoire.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“That action, fortunately, was forthcoming from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, who took the initiative of organizing a high- level meeting on Côte d’Ivoire on 6 July 2004 in Addis Ababa at the time of the third summit of the African Union. The major decision of that meeting was the convening, in Accra, of a summit devoted to the crisis in the Côte d’Ivoire. The summit, known as Accra III, was preceded, on the recommendation of the high-level meeting in Addis Ababa, by meetings of the major joint Ivorian/Burkina Faso and Ivorian/Malian commissions in July 2004, and by a mini-summit which brought together the heads of State of Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali on 27 July 2004 in Bamako.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Julian Hunte, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia, who, with his many years of skill as a diplomat, brilliantly discharged his mission. He also deserves our gratitude and our plaudits. Finally, I would like to express my warm appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for the active and decisive role he has continued to play as head of the United Nations. During the year 2004, the process of national peace and reconciliation initiated, following the signing of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and of Accra II, by the parties and political forces in Côte d’Ivoire encountered a major deadlock with the events in March and the suspension of the activities of the Government of National Reconciliation. A solution to that dangerous deadlock required determined action from all parties involved.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Allow me to convey to you, Sir, on behalf of the head of State, the Prime Minister and the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire, my sincere congratulations on your unanimous election to preside over the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session. Africa is proud to see, yet again, one of its sons in that eminent role. The sign of confidence on the part of all States Members of the United Nations reflects the great appreciation of the role being played by your country, Gabon, and by its President, His Excellency El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, in dealing with the major issues characterizing development in the world, particularly in Africa. I am also gratified to have this opportunity to say how grateful we are to your predecessor, Mr.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“May we all have the wisdom to ensure that our resources and intelligence are put to the service of the building of a better world, where peace, solidarity and justice reign — a world that reflects the ideals of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We are concerned about the coordinated follow- up to the outcome of the major international conferences held under United Nations auspices. The fight against poverty cannot be won unless the recommendations adopted in the framework of those summits are implemented. It is no good expanding the forums for discussion if the conclusions concerning financing for development or technology transfer, in particular, cannot be implemented and used on the ground in a new spirit of genuine solidarity. My country, Côte d’Ivoire, fervently wishes to see the advent of the new spirit of solidarity called for by globalization and the interdependence of our States, and also supports reform of the United Nations to make it democratic and efficient.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“There is also an urgent need to take action to stabilize commodity prices at a profitable rate. If poor countries are to escape the vicious circle of poverty, there must be fair remuneration for the work of their farmers, complemented by an increase in official development assistance, which should reach 0.7 per cent of the gross national product of industrialized countries, and by debt cancellation. Let us take the opportunity of the present session to reflect together on ways to strengthen North-South cooperation in the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. In the framework of South- South cooperation, the most advanced countries should plan to increase trade and technology transfers to benefit less advantaged countries, in support of their own efforts.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Sadly, such globalization could also impede the development of poor countries, which suffer from fluctuations in the price of their products on the international market and, moreover, must cope with unfair competition imposed by States that subsidize their export items. Given these mixed results, the recent Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Cancún helped to gauge the magnitude of the ruinous consequences for African farmers of the subsidies given to producers in the North. By breaking the rules of free competition, the industrialized countries have enabled the richest producers to thrive while impoverishing those that are struggling for survival. This dire situation should cause us to examine our conscience so that together we may seek ways and means to redress this injustice.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“At the economic and social level, the fight against poverty must be continued, particularly by integrating the unemployed and other marginalized people into economic structures. 23 At the cultural level, education for peace, expanding sporting and cultural exchanges, meetings among groups of women and young people, at the level of each State and among the various countries, can promote tolerance and mutual understanding among peoples in the context of a dialogue among civilizations. The globalization of the economy may be a factor for progress by favouring competitiveness, bringing to the market the best products at the most competitive prices.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Likewise, the Assembly should activate and give fresh impetus to regional and international convention and encourage the standardization of legislation to effectively fight the phenomenon of mercenarism. Côte d’Ivoire endorses the proposal to draw up and establish — within the framework of ECOWAS — a general plan for stabilization in the subregion, which, I am convinced, would contribute to a return to lasting peace and stability in West Africa. Preventive action must also be taken at several levels. At the political and diplomatic level, the international community should devote greater attention to preventive diplomacy, because it is essential that the outbreak of conflict be prevented through an early-warning system.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The implementation of the Programme of Action of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects — whose review last July revealed an increasing universal awareness of the danger of proliferation and the need to take coordinated actions to control it — will be an important step forward if we have the necessary political will. The measures undertaken at the regional and subregional levels — particularly the ECOWAS Moratorium and the assistance provided by the Programme for Coordination and Assistance for Security and Development in Africa and by other entities — are elements leading in the right direction.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Conflicts are the work of, inter alia, armed gangs, the unemployed, the marginalized and deserters who feed the flourishing market for mercenaries in Africa in general and in our subregion in particular. Mercenarism, together with the proliferation of and illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, is a dangerous threat to the peace and stability of our countries. Those scourges — along with terrorism, which sadly continues to claim its victims — demand special attention from the international community. The Assembly must undertake concrete measures in the fight against these destabilizing factors in the world, particularly in Africa.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Those results encourage all the parties concerned to persevere in the effort to re- establish and consolidate peace in all these war-torn areas. Concerning the situations in Iraq and in Afghanistan, my country hopes for a swift return to peace and security so that their respective peoples — who have suffered much over the past decade — will be able to devote their efforts to economic and social progress. In the Middle East, Côte d’Ivoire appeals for moderation on both sides and for compliance with the road map, which is the way back to peace in that part of the world. In any event, law must always prevail over violence, and dialogue — under the aegis of the international community — must always be the favoured tool for resolving disputes.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“However, we hope that the Fund’s endowment will increase and that it will swiftly become operational and more easily accessible to countries that are already hard hit by these scourges and that — ironically enough — are also the chief theatres of armed conflicts. It is paradoxical to note that such conflicts are increasing in number, frequency and intensity — particularly in Africa — even as the modes and modalities for their management by the United Nations and by regional and subregional organizations are being strengthened, diversified and improved. Côte d’Ivoire therefore congratulates the Organization and its dedicated Secretary-General, as well as regional countries and organizations, on the results already achieved in Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and the Great Lakes region, to cite just the most recent cases.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“22 Côte d’Ivoire remains concerned about the international situation and the problems afflicting it, including the current pandemics of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; armed conflicts; disarmament; terrorism; and comprehensive human development. Indeed, we note that, although HIV/AIDS affects 20 million people in Africa — two thirds of those infected worldwide — malaria continues to have at least an equal effect on the continent’s mortality rate. To make matters even worse, tuberculosis is showing signs of a disturbing resurgence. The establishment of the United Nations Global Fund to fight these three pandemics — amounting to $10.4 million — therefore provides genuine grounds for encouragement and hope for affected populations, particularly in countries of the third world.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“In Côte d’Ivoire, as in Liberia, the DDR programme remains of paramount importance to that end. Indeed, the Government attaches particular importance to the DDR programme, which, by re-establishing security and restoring territorial integrity, will enable Côte d’Ivoire to organize transparent and fair elections in 2005, under international supervision. On behalf of the Ivorian Government, I should like to take advantage of this rostrum once again to thank the international community — particularly the heads of State of the ECOWAS countries and the President and the Government of France — for its unwavering support for the peace effort in Côte d’Ivoire.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“To that end, a disarmament committee and another committee responsible for reunification have been established. In those ways, the Government intends to show its resolve to work for a return to peace. However, despite such encouraging results, we must acknowledge that the path of peace is fraught with pitfalls. The current difficulties prove that the process of peace and national reconciliation remains fragile. Still, the inter-Ivorian dialogue is continuing, and all of the forces recognize that the Linas- Marcoussis Agreement is the only solution providing a way out of the Ivorian crisis. In that connection, Côte d’Ivoire welcomes the firm commitment of the United States to Liberia in supporting the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to help that fraternal country exorcise the demons of war and division.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The fact that it is temporarily impossible for our Administration and for the Special Rapporteurs to travel throughout the territory to verify the facts — together with the cries of distress of the people in those areas — is a challenge to the international community. I must commend the international community’s firm commitment and immense efforts to extricate Côte d’Ivoire from this crisis. Coming back to the progress achieved on the path to peace, I am pleased to note the 12 September 2003 appointment, after long and difficult negotiations, of the Ministers of Defence and of Security, which paves the way for implementation of the national programme of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) established by the Government of National Reconciliation.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)