YouSaid · the spoken record

Rodolphe Adada,

lines on the record: 111
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 2005-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
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

“It is for this reason that I would like, in conclusion, to reaffirm my country’s commitment to the United Nations, which must remain the preferred forum for international coordination and dialogue among civilizations, for the maintenance of international peace and security, for the peaceful settlement of conflict, and for international economic cooperation in the service of all.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The conferences and special session organized by the United Nations this year — on the least developed countries, AIDS, human settlements, the illicit trade in light weapons in all its aspects, racism and many other issues — once again proves that our Organization remains a vital and irreplaceable instrument at the service of humankind. It is also in this framework that the fight against terrorism must take place. As we stated during the Millennium Summit last year, we must, while relying on the United Nations, work more resolutely and methodically to find solutions to all those concerns.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We should welcome the recent United Nations initiative to set up a Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS and to respond to the desire of developing countries to have access to new therapies at a lower cost. 16 With regard to the particular economic situation in Africa, Congo expects that during this session the international community will support the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. As the Assembly is aware, the New Partnership — which harmonizes the concerns of the new African Union in the areas of development and economic integration — is the response that Africa unanimously intends to present to the challenges of globalization. It is also appropriate now to again look at the essential instrument in that international struggle, namely, the United Nations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The eleventh of September just gave us a painful reminder that the world is one in its suffering, meaning that we must also remain as one as we seek better times. That is why we must reduce, as quickly as possible, the gulf that separates the poorest among us from the wealthiest. The socio-economic tensions we see throughout the world are also the result of extreme poverty in developing countries. Over 1 billion men and women are victims of malnutrition and do not even have access to drinking water or minimal health services. Unless we accelerate growth, poverty will continue to worsen. We must all therefore mobilize generally in order to urgently implement the strategies we ourselves have adopted here, especially those adopted during the Millennium Summit.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our work will long continue to reflect the painful background against which it is taking place — the terrorist attacks. We have committed ourselves — rightly, unanimously and resolutely — to fighting this scourge. But this means that we must eradicate anything that might be used as a pretext for acts of blind destruction. To decrease tension throughout the world is to deal with situations that can foster terrorism. But we should remember that an apparently local crisis can have repercussions very far away — sometimes even at the global level. In this context, globalization must not be seen solely in economic and commercial terms. In reality, we are talking about the daily existence of individuals, peoples and nations, closely linked because of the rupture of borders.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“These include, in particular, the demobilization of over 25,000 militia members; the collection of 10,817 weapons and rounds of ammunition, of which 6,484 have already been destroyed, with the technical support of the International Organization for Migration; assistance for the reintegration of 6,844 former militia members, with the United Nations helping with more than 2,190 small-scale projects; and the large-scale return of displaced persons and refugees to their normal domicile. Furthermore, the establishment of a high commission responsible for reintegrating former combatants, a Committee for the follow-up of the convention on peace and reconstruction in the Congo, and a national committee to eradicate poverty all form part of this momentum for the consolidation of peace.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“That dialogue has been sanctioned by the signing of the convention for peace and reconstruction in the Congo, as well as by the adoption of a preliminary draft of the constitution. This preliminary draft was approved by the National Transitional Council — our transitional parliament — on 2 September, and it will be submitted to a referendum before the end of this year. In preparation for the constitutional referendum and the general elections, an administrative census has just been carried out so as to draw up electoral lists. I would also like to mention the efforts being made by the Government within the context of strengthening the consolidation of peace.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“After the signing, at the end of 1999, of agreements on the cessation of hostilities, the priority tasks set out by President Denis Sassou Nguesso were national reconciliation and relaunching the democratic process, with a view to ensuring the reconstruction and development of the Congo. Today, almost all of these objectives are in the process of being achieved. At the political level, we organized in Brazzaville, from 14 March to 17 April 2001, a national dialogue from which no one was barred, under the auspices of an international mediator, His Excellency El Hadj Omar Bongo, President of the Gabonese Republic, to whom we would like once again to express our deep gratitude.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Situations such as these are often and almost systematically accompanied by the massive displacement of populations, which causes destabilization in neighbouring countries and worsens domestic problems. Such is the case in my country, which is currently hosting more than 200,000 refugees mainly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Rwanda and, more recently, the Central African Republic. The situation is a great cause for concern in a country that is only just emerging from war itself and is thus confronted by many other challenges. Given the seriousness of this situation, I would like once again to repeat the appeal of my Government for adequate assistance.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The international community must provide all necessary assistance to Angola. Given the continuing violence in the Middle East, a return to the Oslo accords is urgently required if the current deadlock is to be broken. We appeal to the parties in conflict to show a willingness to move forward so as to re-establish a dialogue, which remains the only way to restore lasting peace in an area of the world that has been troubled for far too long. We therefore welcome the constructive proposals made by the President of the United States of America, His Excellency George W. Bush, on the coexistence of two States, Israel and Palestine, within secure and 15 recognized borders, as required by Security Council resolutions.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“As for Burundi, we would like to pay tribute to President Nelson Mandela for his mediation, which has led to the formation of a government of national unity, to which we wish every success. This process, which should contribute to a return to lasting peace and stability for that country, deserves the full support of the international community. In Angola, the consistent resort to terrorism and other acts of sabotage by UNITA, in disregard of the relevant Security Council resolutions, should lead us to strengthen the sanctions against that organization, which is responsible for the continuation of war in the country. The Congo reaffirms its solidarity with the people and the Government of Angola, who are sparing no effort to restore peace and rebuild their country.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“After years of war and illegal exploitation of its wealth, that brotherly country needs to return to peace, national unity and political stability and to fully recover its sovereignty so that it can achieve the progress promised by its enormous potential. My country, for its part, has always maintained good- neighbourly relations with the other side of the Congo River, and we will continue to contribute in every way we can to ensure the peace and normalization that are so greatly desired. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Kofi Annan and, through him, his Special Representative, Mr. Namanga Ngongi, for the action that has been carried out within the framework of MONUC.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“With regard to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is of particular concern to my country, we welcome the progress that has been accomplished in implementing the Lusaka Agreement, which is enabling the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to move on to phase III of its deployment. In this context, we welcome the Security Council meeting with the Political Committee of the Lusaka Agreement. We invite all the parties to continue to demonstrate their goodwill in carrying out the commitments they have undertaken. We have great hopes for the inter-Congolese dialogue, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Congo fully endorses all the relevant United Nations resolutions aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the response of the international community to terrorism, in particular Security Council resolutions 1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001). The African continent, which has suffered for many years from violence that has hampered its development and integration into the world of today, has clearly condemned such acts, which can lead only to further destitution and poverty. That is why, at a time when it is launching new initiatives to help it to emerge from crisis and promote development, Africa is dressing its wounds and appealing for various forms of local, regional and international mediation. These initiatives have already borne fruit.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Harri Holkeri, for the competence and deftness with which he carried out his task. I also take this opportunity once again to offer our sincere congratulations to Secretary-General Kofi Annan on his brilliant re-election and on his reception of the Nobel Peace Prize, which is a crown on his personal contribution and on that of our Organization. We still have in our mind’s eye the terrifying and unbearable images of the attacks perpetrated against the United States on 11 September —acts of pure barbarity, blind terrorism that we condemn absolutely, as we do all other forms of violence, which must be curbed and eradicated. In keeping with the commitment undertaken at the Millennium Summit, we must be especially vigilant and determined in the fight against that evil, which has no place in the world today.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The crash of American Airlines flight 587 two days ago has once again cast into mourning the city of New York, which has already suffered so much. On behalf of the delegation of the Congo, I offer my most sincere condolences to the bereaved families. I wish at the outset to congratulate you sincerely, Sir, on your outstanding election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session. The trust that has been placed in you reflects the 14 international community’s recognition of your qualities as an experienced diplomat and is a tribute to your country, the Republic of Korea, for the decisive role it plays in maintaining peace and security throughout the world. You may rest assured of the full cooperation of the delegation of the Congo. I express our gratitude to your predecessor, Mr.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Its reform, which is today unavoidable if we are to make it more credible in a world which is undergoing constant change and which will be changed profoundly by globalization, is absolutely necessary. We must have very strong political will to fight against poverty, ignorance, illness, injustice and violence, as well as the degradation and destruction of our planet. This is the only way to guarantee the credibility of the United Nations to the peoples of the United Nations. May the commitments made at the Millennium Summit guide our daily actions, so that the role of the United Nations will indeed be strengthened over the coming century for the well-being of all of humanity. 29”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Denis Sassou Nguesso, the Government of the Congo has undertaken a mission to carry out the broadest possible consultations on a draft constitution to be submitted to our transitional Parliament in March 2001. Its adoption will open the way to a constitutional referendum and general elections. Similarly, in the framework of the reconstruction of our country, we have just adopted an interim post- conflict programme for the period 2000-2002. Its implementation requires the mobilization of significant financial resources, and the support of the international community is indispensable for this purpose. We can never reiterate enough that our Organization has demonstrated its utility.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“I should like to assure the Assembly that we have re-established peace after the signature of the ceasefire agreements and the agreements to cease hostilities last year, thanks to the mediation of El Hadj Omar Bongo, President of the Republic of Gabon. Once again, we should like to express our sincere gratitude to him. Since then, the Congo has turned its face towards the future. The future for us means the consolidation of this peace, national reconciliation, the rebuilding of our country and relaunching the process of democratization. That is why, starting in September of this year, as proscribed by the President of the Republic, Mr.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Here, I must draw the attention of the international community to the humanitarian drama that is under way in the north-eastern part of our country as the result of the massive influx of refugees and displaced persons fleeing the renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country with which we share approximately 2,000 kilometres of border. Given the seriousness of this situation, the Government of the Republic of Congo would like to renew its call for robust assistance for the populations in distress, who have virtually been forgotten by the international community. As the Assembly knows, my country, the Republic of Congo, has also been shaken by internal conflict.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We would like to take this solemn occasion to express our desire to be fully associated in the search for solutions to the problems of concern to us. Our daily experience — one shared with others — of the consequences of conflicts with neighbours fully justifies this concern; we want to eliminate the sources of conflicts with our neighbours. That is why, whenever it is necessary, the Congo does its utmost to dispel any misunderstandings and to strengthen the links of brotherhood and cooperative relationships with its neighbours.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In Central Africa, determined to strengthen their operational peacekeeping capacities in the face of persistent crises and conflicts that are causing deterioration in the region, the members of the Economic Community of Central African States have decided to establish a council for peace and security (COPAX), whose operational organs will include the rapid reaction mechanism and the multinational peacekeeping force. Above and beyond its preventive mission, COPAX is also a response to the Secretary- General's call for reserve forces. It is important for the international community to contribute to the proper functioning of this sub-regional mechanism for preventive purposes and for managing and settling conflicts in this region of the world, which is the victim of murderous, devastating wars.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“That is why we strongly support the 28 proposals in the Brahimi Report and call for their rapid implementation. In addition, we follow with interest and hope the negotiations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and we greatly hope that these efforts will be crowned with success. We also welcome the most recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, all the more so because these express the will and deep aspiration of the Korean people, separated by war, to live together in peace. We also welcome the results achieved in Somalia, thanks to the mediation of Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti. We welcome this true renaissance in Somalia and we express our best wishes for the return of a lasting peace in that fraternal country.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“What is at stake is the indispensable safeguarding of fauna, flora and, above all, the forests of the developing countries. The Congo, an equatorial country, feels a special responsibility in this area. Our Government has made a solemn commitment to the sustainable management and use of our forests. This subject will in fact be the focal point of a ministerial meeting of the African Timber Organization, which will take place in Brazzaville from 9 to 13 October next. With regard to peacekeeping and international security, extensive efforts have been deployed by the United Nations to free humanity of the scourge of war. And although our successes may be remarkable, they are far from meeting the expectations of millions of men, women and children around the world, who await with anguish.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In this regard, the question of development assistance, debt and access to developed country markets must be envisaged as conditions that will allow more fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation between the North and South. We are also very much concerned about the environment. Its preservation and protection have been at the centre of the concerns of the United Nations since the world conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It is of the utmost importance for our shared environment to be preserved and managed in conformity with the principles of sustainable development. All of us — developed countries and developing countries, Governments and private sector — all of us must agree to pay the price in a spirit of solidarity in order to remove any pretext for those who sometimes say they have no other choice but to degrade the environment.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“After more than half a century of existence, our Organization must take account of the will of all Member States to participate in the management of the world's affairs. The United Nations must therefore undergo the transformations required in order to adapt to the requirements of the modern world. This reform is in our opinion both necessary and urgent. With regard to globalization, the question is no longer whether one is in favour of or against this phenomenon. Globalization is a concrete reality that is having an impact on all areas of international relations. Globalization is under way. However, if it is to produce all of its intended benefits, it is necessary to take into account the interests of the developing countries.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The Millennium Summit, that great historic gathering, provided the leaders of the planet with an opportunity to debate at the highest level the burning issues of the dawn of the twenty-first century. The heads of State and Government examined the report of the Secretary-General on the role of the United Nations in the twenty-first century, and this led to wise and relevant decisions, which we should welcome. It is now up to us to do our utmost to ensure that the conclusions of that report will be translated into action. The reform of the United Nations, the management of globalization, the preservation of the environment, the promotion and protection of human rights, peacekeeping and international security are among the challenges facing humanity, today more than ever before. The reform of the United Nations is of course essential.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“May I start by joining previous speakers in offering, on behalf of the Congolese delegation, warm congratulations to Mr. Harri Holkeri on his election to the presidency of this Millennium General Assembly, as well as to the members of his Bureau. He can be sure that the Congolese delegation is ready and willing to help him accomplish his important and delicate task. I should also like to pay homage to his predecessor, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia, for the skill and wisdom with which he carried out his mission. Finally, I should also like to commend Secretary- General Kofi Annan for his devotion and efficiency as he leads our Organization.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Overcoming them will require harmonized approaches taken in a representative context. Thus my country attaches particular importance to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations and to the restructuring of its main bodies, so as to combat the uncertainties born of an unequal world and to take firm steps to make multilateralism truly democratic. The United Nations remains an irreplaceable tool. However, it deserves to be rethought and revitalized so that it will be equal to the challenges confronting us. To succeed, we will need to join together the will, the efforts and the means of the whole of the international community. Congo reaffirms its commitment to make its full contribution to the achievement of that goal.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Today it is giving rise to fears because of the threat it implies to the sovereignty of our States and to our cultural and historical characteristics, and because it raises grave questions about our countries' prospects for development. Its implementation calls more than ever for the creation of appropriate, agreed- upon mechanisms so as to translate into reality hopes for humankind's unified development and for prosperity shared among peoples. It was in this context that recently, at Algiers and at Sirte, that the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the Organization of African Unity resolutely committed themselves to working for the strengthening of subregional economic groups, in accordance with the spirit of the Abuja Treaty. The coming century will bring with it challenges for our Organization.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In this context, our planet can never be certain of lasting peace so long as there is destitution and poverty, which not only affect the quality of human life but are also a cause of political instability. But how can we achieve lasting sustainable development when the world economy is opening up no encouraging prospects for developing countries, when debt receives discriminatory treatment in initiatives whose conditions for implementation show how illusory they are, when resources allocated to official development assistance are constantly declining, and lastly, when there is a clear refusal to grant developing countries opportunities to integrate their economies into the new trade system. In any case, because of what is at stake, globalization will be the main challenge of the next century.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“I cannot conclude this political analysis without mentioning other areas of tension that are a source of concern for us at this session. Thus we express the hope that the impetus provided by the Wye River accords and the Sharm el-Sheik Memorandum on the Middle East will be consolidated. The Government of the Congo is also closely following the evolution of the situation in East Timor and welcomes the efforts of the international community, which led to the dispatch of an international force to restore peace in that territory and to ensure the respect of the political will clearly expressed by that people during the referendum organized by the United Nations. On the threshold of the twenty-first century, building peace and security in the world requires real commitment on our part to work for economic and social development.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“That is why, at the thirty-fifth Summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), held last July in Algiers, the African Heads of State and Government devoted most of their consideration to ways and means of consolidating peace in order to create modern States based on the primacy of law, respect of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, and the democratic governance of public affairs. 14 Along the same lines, on 20 September last, at the opening of the general debate, the current Chairman of the OAU, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, clearly set out in this very Hall Africa's views on the key questions of peace, security, economic development and international cooperation. The Congo associates itself fully with that important declaration.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“At a time when our people are suffering from poverty and destitution and from the economic crisis, there is no place for conflicts that are both fratricidal and suicidal. In the context of the quest for sustainable and lasting peace and development in Africa, specific and practical measures must be resolutely taken along the lines of the conclusions contained in the report of the Secretary- General of our Organization. Among those conclusions, which we unanimously supported, I would like to mention those relating to the proliferation of, and illicit traffic in, small arms, which is an important factor in the increase in terrorism and crime in our States.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“These include the shelter, management and social reintegration of tens of thousands of displaced persons, a humanitarian tragedy whose scale has not always been clearly perceived by the international community; the protection of people and property; the respect of human rights; and the restoration of normal living conditions in many war-torn communities — an overwhelming task that anyone would agree requires means exceeding by far the capacities of a State bled dry such as Congo is today. We are assuming all of our responsibilities, and here we call on the international community, which should accompany our efforts with greater commitment and contribute, as it wishes to do, to the restoration on a lasting basis of peace, security and democracy and to the reconstruction of Congo.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In this same context of a return to a stable situation under full control throughout the national territory, the Government reiterates its firm and unswerving will to resume the inter-Congolese political dialogue with a view to pacification and reunion in order to consolidate the newfound peace and security, strengthen national unity and the reconciliation of all the sons and daughters of the Congo, rebuild the country on a lasting basis, and resume the democratic process, which had been interrupted by violence. The offer made was favourably received, leading in particular to the return to Brazzaville of many political leaders who had gone into exile following the war of 5 June 1997. We are confident in the positive outcome of this process. In the wake of such a tragic period, naturally we are striving to cope with emergency situations.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“His faith in reconciliation and national unity was again made clear on 14 August 1999 on the occasion of the national holiday, when, on behalf of the fraternal republic, he solemnly reaffirmed his desire for dialogue and decided to grant amnesty to all combatants guilty of war crimes who agreed to renounce violence and definitively to lay down their weapons.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The guests who did us the honour of participating in the Pan-African Music Festival that the city of Brazzaville hosted from 1 to 8 August 1999 witnessed the determination of the Government and the entire people to rebuild this country as a haven of peace. That event — a time of great joy and reunion for the Congolese people — strengthened our conviction that the worst was behind us and that henceforth we could look to the future with calmness and optimism. All of these steps forward on the path of peace are to the credit of one man, President Denis Sassou Nguesso.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“These have included heinous crimes such as the assassination of officials and leaders of local communities, the kidnapping of tens of thousands of people to serve as human shields for the armed groups, and the systematic destruction of infrastructures vital to the economy of the country. But those plans to overthrow institutions have failed. Today the pacification efforts made by the Government have borne fruit. The fighting has ended. Several former militia members of the failed regime have laid down their weapons and have given themselves up to the authorities. We are also seeing a mass influx of civilians back into Brazzaville and to the main towns in the interior.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the context of the resumption of the democratic process, we have carried out an administrative census of the population in order to identify the electorate; we have elaborated a draft Constitution; and we have established our higher courts — the Supreme Court and the High Court of Justice. 13 Regrettably, this impetus has been hampered by a resumption of violence, orchestrated once again by those who on several occasions plunged our people into mourning — first in 1993-1994 and then in 1997 — and whose only aim is the partition of Congo into ethnic ghettos. The consequences have been catastrophic for the entire country.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“A year ago, from this very rostrum, I proclaimed our faith in the future of our country following the civil war that started on 5 June 1997. I said then that for the Congolese Government the future was national reconciliation, the restoration of peace, the reconstruction of the country and the resumption of the democratic process. We have explained this great project wherever and whenever we could — at the United Nations, at the Organization of African Unity and in all our contacts with all of our partners — and we have found understanding and attention everywhere.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We strongly hope that the observer mission planned by the United Nations will be effective and that it will create favourable conditions for the holding of a Great Lakes regional conference, which the international community is calling for wholeheartedly. The conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is another major concern in Africa. We invite those two fraternal peoples to rise above the situation by fully supporting the peace plan of the Organization of African Unity to put an end to that war. Lastly, we cannot fail to pay tribute to the courage displayed by the authorities of Sierra Leone, who have agreed to pay a very high price for the restoration of peace in that country. In this world, in which the universality of principles is often limited by force, great men can be guided only by the interests of their peoples.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This is the occasion to reaffirm that the solid base for a definitive resolution of the conflict remains the effective implementation of comprehensive mandatory sanctions. They alone will lead to the complete isolation of Mr. Jonas Savimbi and UNITA, so long as the international community truly complies. With regard to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we welcome the conclusion of the Lusaka Agreement, which opens the way to resolving the political and military crisis in that fraternal country. My country is counting on the commitment of the various protagonists for the Agreement's implementation.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Have international peace and security, the development of nations and the rights of citizens been treated in a way that allows us to enter the next century calmly and with hope? In Africa there are still far too many causes for concern. Far too many challenges leave us doubtful, despite some positive events in the continent, in particular the political changes in South Africa and Nigeria. In Angola, the many statements and decisions of the international community remain unimplemented because of Jonas Savimbi's stubborn adherence to the logic of war. The war in Angola, which has rendered fruitless the efforts of an entire generation of diplomats, has revealed the limits of our Organization in the restoration of peace.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Didier Opertti, we express our profound gratitude for the ability and skill with which he conducted the work of the last session. To the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, we pay a well-deserved tribute for his profound commitment to the service of peace and development. Lastly, I would like to welcome warmly the new Member States of Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga, whose admission can only strengthen the universal nature of the United Nations. Has not the time come to take stock of our common labour? Will the great family of the United Nations enter the third millennium convinced that it has contributed to promoting the noble ideals contained in the Charter of our universal Organization?”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“I wish to join the many previous speakers who have congratulated the President. I congratulate him most warmly on behalf of the Congolese delegation on his election to preside over the fifty-fourth session, which is a tribute to him personally and to his country, a symbol of the struggle for decolonization in Africa. The Congo, an old friend of Namibia, welcomes his election. I am convinced that thanks to his human qualities and his wealth of experience forged in the liberation struggle and at the head of his country's diplomacy, the work of this session will be carried out harmoniously and successfully. I assure him of the support of my delegation in the discharge of his heavy responsibilities. To his predecessor, Mr.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The problems of peace and development are not what they were in 1945. It is time to review the management of our communal house. It is time to reform the Organization, including the Security Council. It is time to democratize the Organization in order to better adapt it to the requirements of the coming millennium. I cannot conclude without expressing the compassion of the Congolese Government and those affected by the calamity now afflicting the Caribbean and the southern United States as a result of hurricane Georges. This wanton unleashing of the forces of nature reminds us that we are all, large and small, in the same boat — our planet Earth — and that we must show solidarity to one another.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“With regard to Africa, we believe that through economic integration we can mitigate the undesirable effects of globalization. Through greater solidarity we can hope to meet the challenges we face. This year the international community is commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is very significant that this anniversary coincides with the establishment of the International Criminal Court, which our Government considers to be a major step forward. We believe that this event puts the finishing touch to the magnificent edifice 14 that the founding fathers began constructing more than 50 years ago. But today?s United Nations is not the same as the old one. Where once there were only a few dozen Member States, today there are 185.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The Agenda for Development, the international strategy for the development of Africa, the Secretary-General?s System-wide Special Initiative on Africa — to cite merely those examples — are just so many plans that no longer give reason for optimism. Today globalization is supposed to be the panacea. This at least is the philosophy of worldwide liberalization. But how can we be confident when the export opportunities for the developing countries are often neutralized by protectionism in a new guise, which uses various pretexts — technical standards, environmental and social concerns, or even concerns about human rights? How can we be confident when official development assistance continues to decline? How can we be sure when the weakest economies are bending beneath the burden of debt?”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Solidarity seems to be giving way to a selfishness that has no time for solidarity. This new trend is making increasingly difficult the management of economic questions, which have already been the subject of much thought, without producing any prospect of an improvement in the living standards of the peoples of most of our States. Violence, famine, disease and poverty continue to afflict our peoples. The underlying causes of these scourges are constantly the subject of a multitude of studies and various economic stimulation and development programmes, but without result, because of a lack of real commitment by the international community.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)