YouSaid · the spoken record

Mroudjae

lines on the record: 80
first: 1978-09-24
most recent: 1980-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“This important measure has indeed, by facilitating communications, contributed to lessening tension among the people of the Comoros. This information has been communicated to the Secretary-General for inclusion in the report on this item. I shall speak on it in more detail when the item comes up for discussion in the Assembly. 170. The Government of the Comoros is convinced that the negotiations that have been begun must be continued. We shall do our best to that end. We shall try to avoid any polemical spirit that could damage the negotiations that have been begun with a view to finding a just solution, in keeping with the decisions of our Organization, as soon as possible.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“At a meeting of the General Committee my delegation insisted that that item be retained on the agenda of this session so that our Organization could be kept informed of developments. As everybody knows, talks have been held between the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros and France, in accordance with resolutions adopted by the General Assembly since its thirty-second session. Those talks have made it possible, by common consent, to draw up a series of economic, social and political measures, in order to ensure that Mayotte can gradually and effectively be integrated into the Comoros as a whole. Thus freedom of movement has been restored to the people and visas are no longer required for movement between Mayotte and the other islands.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“That is why the Government of the Comoros has always declared that it is willing to support any initiative, regional or international, to encourage the implementation of General Assembly resolution 2832 (XXVI) which contained the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace. 167. Accordingly, we support the idea of convening at Colombo in 1981 a United Nations Conference on the Indian Ocean which would, inter alia, be entrusted with the task of studying ways and means of implementing that resolution. 168. Before concluding my statement I should like to refer to one matter which is of paramount concern to my country and to Africa, namely, the question of the Comorian island of Mayotte. 169.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We do not want to interfere at all in the complaints that Iran and the United States of America may have against each other. But diplomatic immunity is one of the very basic principles prevailing in inter-State relations, and in our opinion it would be dangerous to acquiesce in the transgression of that principle by a State Member of our Organization. 165. There is another matter of concern to my country, namely, the explosive situation in the sub region of the Indian Ocean. Like the other States bordering on that ocean, the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros is deeply concerned at the increasingly active militarization of the area by the major nuclear Powers. Such a situation is a serious threat to international security and, indeed, to the very survival of our States most of which have acceded to independence quite recently. 166.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In the name of the sacred principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, we strongly oppose the presence of Vietnamese troops in Kampuchea. We support the efforts of our Secretary-General and indeed of all peace-loving and justice-loving peoples to help that people regain its dignity and exercise its right to self-determination. 163. With regard to the armed confrontation between Iraq and Iran, we would appeal most urgently to those two fraternal countries to make use of the means of negotiation rather than weapons. If the conflict continues much longer, it will not only run the risk of dangerously aggravating tension in the region but also help to relegate to second place another problem that is still unresolved, that of the holding of the American hostages in Iran. 164.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Turning to Asia, my delegation would like to express its deep concern over the conflicts which continue to occur there. Afghanistan, a fraternal Moslem country and a member of the non-aligned movement, continues to suffer under a regime that has been imposed by force. Last January our General Assembly adopted by an overwhelming majority resolution ES-6/2, demanding the ending of the occupation of that country by Soviet troops. It is for our Organization to take the necessary steps to enable the Afghan people to exercise its legitimate right to determine freely its own future. 161. Another people in Asia, the people of Democratic Kampuchea, has been stricken by famine and all kinds of epidemics which threaten its very existence. It is the victim of an irresponsible Government imposed by Hanoi. 162.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I would take this opportunity to reaffirm here my Government's constant support for the just cause of the Palestinian people and the PLO, its sole representative. 159. My country considers that the annexation of Jerusalem by Israel to make it its capital is a serious infringement of international law. Jerusalem must be preserved as a universal holy city. Accordingly we support all the decisions taken on this question by the Islamic Conference and by its Al Quds Committee. More than ever before, our Organization must do all it can to ensure that Israel at last withdraws from the Arab territories it has occupied by force since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to ensure that the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people be respected. 160.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Tension in the region is aggravated still further by the establishment of more Jewish settlements in the occupied Arab territories. We condemn such actions, which are contrary to international law. Such a negative attitude can only crush the hopes that had been aroused by certain initiatives taken in the region for peace. Israel can no longer continue to ignore the fact of Palestine, the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and its absolute right to found an independent State on its own land. At its seventh emergency special session, held in July last and devoted to this important issue, the General Assembly reaffirmed that the participation of the Palestinian people is indispensable to all efforts to find a just and equitable solution.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“As far as Western Sahara is concerned, my country, the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, has constantly supported the initiatives of OAU and the international community to find an equitable solution in keeping with law and justice. The "Committee of Wise Men" of OAU, to which Africa decided to entrust this matter, seems to be moving towards a compromise that would be acceptable to all the parties involved in the conflict. We continue to believe that it is our duty to make sure that this constructive dialogue continues, in order to safeguard peace in that region and indeed in the world. 158. In the Middle East the situation is more than ever before a serious threat to international peace and security. We are indeed disgusted at the attacks and the perpetual aggression carried out against Lebanon by Israeli troops.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We believe that the European group must now adopt a more dynamic attitude in order to encourage the implementation of the United Nations plan. It is the duty of those countries to exert pressure, by appropriate specific measures, on South Africa, so that it will at last realize that it has no option but to accept the decisions of our Organization. 156. In Chad the stream of refugees is constantly increasing, even though the Agreement signed at Lagos on 21 August 1979 had given us great hopes. We support the peace efforts currently being made by OAU. The international community must do all it can to ensure that those efforts are successful, but if they fail the United Nations without further delay must be seized of the matter. 157.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The example of Zimbabwe has proved, if any further proof were needed, that it is in no way Utopian to think of a multiracial State based on the equality of all citizens. 155. As far as Namibia is concerned, my delegation continues to consider Security Council resolution 435 (1978) to be a basis for an acceptable settlement. However, South Africa, wishing at all costs to impose an internal solution in Namibia, is responsible for the delay encountered in the implementation of the settlement plan advocated by the United Nations to lead the country to independence. Such delaying tactics and also Pretoria's barbarous repression carried out against SWAPO, the sole and legitimate representative of the Namibian people, can no longer delay the advent of a solution to that tragic problem.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In our opinion, such concrete measures constitute a major contribution to the establishment of the new international economic order and as such, we feel, should be sup-ported by the entire international community. 153. Turning now to the international political situation, I must unfortunately state that it has evolved in a direction that I can hardly describe as positive. 154. My country is seriously concerned over the policy of apartheid that is practised in southern Africa by the Pretoria regime. We whole-heartedly condemn that policy, for it is based on institutionalized racism. A minority can no longer continue to flout the decisions of our Organization and deny the majority the fundamental right to a life of dignity and freedom.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“However, the fact remains that an even greater collective effort is required from the international community to sup-port our development efforts. To that end, we believe, regional organizations must become increasingly active in this common endeavour. 152. The Organization of African Unity [OAU], for its part, has now decided to contribute to that effort. It has set up structures for economic co-operation and integration. The most recent initiatives in this area were the Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Monrovia Strategy, decided upon by the heads of African States in the course of the second extraordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held at Lagos last April.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The least developed countries, in addition to having the lowest gross national product per capita in the world and a growth rate that is virtually zero, also face additional difficulties resulting from the very nature of those countries. This is the case with the Comoros, my country, which, because of the fact that it is an island, suffers from complete isolation and from excessive dependence on the international market. The situation is aggravated still further by an almost non-existent infrastructure as far as air and sea transport and telecommunications are concerned—areas where development requires tremendous financial investment. 151. Friendly countries, on a bilateral or regional basis or even multilateral, have agreed to provide us with assistance, and my Government is indeed appreciative of those offers.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Even though the eleventh special session did not live up to all our hopes, it nevertheless provided the basis for preparing the next round of global negotiations. It also enabled us to restate the urgent need for increasing aid to the least developed countries. However modest the consensus was, it should nevertheless be emphasized, because it is a point of departure for the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries to be held in 1981. We must make active preparations now for that Conference. 150. My delegation is glad to see the international community devoting more and more attention to the very acute specific problems of that category of countries, which includes the Comoros.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Economic progress can no longer continue to be the preserve of a minority. We must take care and work to establish a world of equal partners based on the right of all nations and individuals to a life of dignity and decency. Attempts made to that end so far, in particular within UNCTAD and UNIDO, have suffered resounding defeats, for most of the developed countries have not yet agreed to revise their economic policy in respect of the third world. But it is in the interests of one and all of us to remedy this situation, for if recession and inflation persist, the growth rate of all countries, including the most developed, will continue to fall over the next decade. 149. Nevertheless, my delegation welcomes the special session that has just been held on problems of development by our General Assembly.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Of course, it is true that today Zimbabwe has regained its freedom and independence, but there are so many other crises throughout the world that are still without solution! There is the crisis of the world economy, there are crises in Africa, South-East Asia and the Middle East; there are many very distressing problems that require in-depth action on our part if we are to avoid another world catastrophe. 147. For many years now, the establishment of the new international economic order has been on our agenda. There is certainly no doubt but that this question does deserve our full attention, if we wish to break, once and for all, the vicious circle of underdevelopment and abject poverty. 148. The third world has fought for its independence and does not intend to lose it again in the face of the new challenges to it.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Lastly, we would express our great appreciation to the British Government, the former administering Power, for the considerable efforts it undertook to ensure that the Rhodesia Constitutional Conference, held in 1979 at Lancaster House in London, would lead to the results which now allow the people of Zimbabwe to make their own path towards progress and prosperity. 145. Once more history has demonstrated that our Organization can help to re-establish peace in the world, provided that we are truly inspired by goodwill and courage. 146. We have gathered here in New York once again to consider the progress made by mankind in working towards the objectives set by our Organization when it was established. Alas, we have to confess that the fruits of our efforts have not yet materialized.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“His successful discharge of his functions did credit not only to his country, the United Republic of Tanzania, but also to Africa as a whole. 141. We would also express our appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, whose tireless work for peace and justice earns him our greatest respect. 142. We welcome to this great family of the United Nations Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and we assure it of our fraternal solidarity. 143. We also congratulate the Republic of Zimbabwe on its admission to this Organization and we hail its gallant people for their brilliant victory over colonialism and racial segregation—in a word, over injustice. 144.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Mr. President, it is for me a pleasurable task to congratulate you warmly on your election to the presidency of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Your election to this responsible post is proof of the general esteem and respect that this Assembly has for you and also of our belief in your ability as an experienced diplomat to carry out this work and preside over our debates. It is also a tribute which the international community is paying to your country, the Federal Republic of Germany, with which many of us have excellent relations. 140. We would also extend our congratulations to your predecessor, our brother Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim, for the firmness and wisdom with which he presided over the various sessions that have been held during this past year.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Finally, I should like to conclude my statement by expressing the sincere hope that this session will mark a decisive turning-point in terms of concrete action and practical understandings, and that it will be an important contribution to bringing about peace in the world.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We have kept the OAU and the United Nations, as well as all other international bodies, constantly informed of the development of the situation in the Comoros as well as of the measures adopted by the Government to hasten the achievement of a solution to the Mayotte question. 151. We shall continue to do this in all objectivity, and in a desire to exclude any spirit of contention, so that France and we ourselves can, as soon as is humanly possible, enter into the decisive phase of the negotiations. 152. The affair of Mayotte is a question of decolonization, an area which undoubtedly constitutes one of the most glorious chapters of the history of our Organization. That at least encourages us to think that, as such, it will rapidly find a satisfactory solution, in keeping with the interests of the people of the Comoros. 153.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The Constitution of the Federal and Islamic Re-public of the Comoros, adopted by the Comorian people in October 1978, ensures for the inhabitants of Mayotte, once that island is integrated into the Republic of the Comoros, the enjoyment of the same rights and guarantees as the three other islands of Anjouan, Grande-Comore and Moheli. 149. By these measures, the Comorian Government has demonstrated its active wish, within the limits of its resources and means, to contribute to progress on this question and to provide further momentum to it in order to hasten the advent of a satisfactory solution. All avenues have certainly not been explored and we thus welcome any initiative which would really help us to break the present deadlock. 150.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Pending the return of Mayotte to the Comoros, my Government has also decided to provide a new, federal-type constitution for our State which will provide a large measure of administrative autonomy for each island, while respecting the unity of the Republic. 147. That important measure is aimed not only at establishing a decentralized administration, better adapted to the island nature of my country, but also, and above all, at fulfilling the wishes of the inhabitants of Mayotte truly to have the management of their political and economic affairs in their own hands. 148.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Therefore, it is with the aim of creating a climate favourable to these negotiations and of showing the open-mindedness of the Government of Comoros that we have so far been engaged in a number of specific actions. 144. We have, for example, agreed to resume relations with France, which had been broken off over the last few years. We hope that this act will be properly appreciated and that the French side will recognize the efforts of the Comorian Government to create an appropriate atmosphere conducive to dialogue. 145. It was in the same desire to prepare the ground for negotiations that the Head of State of the Comoros requested a meeting with his French counterpart to talk about the situation in Mayotte. On that occasion, the two parties agreed to re-examine the question and to look for a satisfactory solution. 146.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“This is why the decolonization of that country cannot be brought about by dismembering it. Furthermore, it is a cherished principle of our Organization that peoples shall reach independence within frontiers inherited from the colonial period. 142. I do not want to begin a debate on this question, but I wish to recall that the General Assembly in resolution 32/7 called on the Governments of France and the Comoros to solve this problem by negotiation. 143. We, the Comoros, for our part are ready, and we have always been ready, to negotiate with France to put an end to this controversy and to lift the dark cloud hanging over the relations between our two countries.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“For the Government of the Comoros there can be no doubt that, as long as the island of Mayotte falls outside its effective control, efforts at economic development in the country will be doomed to failure. The Comoros is a small and, above all, an island country, which can make progress only with the commitment of all its citizens to the work of national reconstruction. 140. The search for a solution to the question of Mayotte remains a matter of constant and fundamental concern to the Comorian authorities. Therefore, the particular attention which this Assembly is according to the settlement of this question is a source of general satisfaction and encouragement for us. 141. Throughout the colonial period, the Comoros constituted a single political and economic entity.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“There is a food crisis, an influx of refugees, and as a consequence tens of thousands of innocent people have undergone the greatest possible suffering. Our Organization must take the necessary humanitarian measures and make the maximum effort to restore peace in this area. 138. I now turn to a problem which is of the greatest concern to my delegation, and indeed to the whole of Africa. I refer to the subject of the Comorian island of Mayotte. This is an item on our agenda, and when the time comes my delegation will describe the situation and will do its best to assist in the search for a satisfactory solution to the problem. 139. We have asked for the consideration of this item because the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a Member State are at stake.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The peoples in this part of the world have human and cultural ties which they should make use of in order to lay the foundations for economic and social development in their common interests. My country will support any initiative which could bring about peace and detente in that region. 136. The situation in Cyprus is another source of concern to my delegation. We hope that by means of negotiations the two Cypriot communities will find common ground and arrive at a solution which will respect the territorial integrity, the independence and the non- alignment of Cyprus and which will make possible the peaceful coexistence and the socio-economic development of that country. 137. Another danger that threatens peace is the explosive situation in South-East Asia.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Peace in this region, if it is to be just and lasting, must be global and must, above all, take account of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people: namely, the restoration of the national and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people; the right of the Palestinians to return to homes; their right to self-determination and to establish an independent State in the land of Palestine; the return of all the territories occupied since 1967; and finally the restitution to Jerusalem of its mission as a Holy City under Arab-Moslem sovereignty. 135. With regard to Western Sahara, my Government is following developments with the closest attention. The Comoros maintains fraternal relations with all the parties to this conflict.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“On the subject of the Middle East, my Government agrees with the consensus which emerged in Monrovia at the sixteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU. 134. However, we wish to repeat our unreserved support for the Palestinian cause and its legitimate representative, the PLO. We also wish to reiterate our conviction that the question of Palestine is the very core of the problem of the Middle East and that any solution with which the PLO is not associated will not be valid.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We express the hope that the London conference will bring about positive results. 130. On the subject of Namibia, not only does the regime in Pretoria occupy the Territory illegally but, what is worse South Africa uses it to launch murderous attacks against the front-line countries, causing casualties among the civilian population. 131. These daily crimes speak for themselves and should suffice to dispel once and for all the least possible doubt as to the truly belligerent intentions of the Pretoria racists. 132. More than ever before, we must take the necessary measures to put an end to this barbarous regime and redouble our support for SWAPO, the legitimate representative of the Namibian people. 133.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“In the face of victories by the Patriotic Front, the authentic representative of the people of Zimbabwe, the rebels had recourse to a monumental farce in the hope that we would believe that they were finally ready to give up their many advantages in favour of those whom so far they have despised and treated as sub-humans. 128. Let us hope that those who wanted to come to terms with Smith will understand that they have allowed themselves to be taken in by illusory promises. 129. We for our part would like to believe that the Powers involved in seeking a solution to this problem will do so henceforth on the basis of equity and equality and in the desire to establish a new and just constitution on the basis of the principle of "one man one vote" which will ensure that the black majority effectively exercises power.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“In southern Africa, because we were unwilling to enforce and apply the decisions of our Assembly and to have them complied with by the racists of southern Africa, our brothers have no other choice but to have recourse to armed struggle to bring down the tyranny of the racists in Pretoria and Salisbury. The odious system of apartheid continues to flourish in defiance of our Organization. 127. In Zimbabwe the combined action of the liberation movements, the OAU and our own Organization, finally won out over the racist minority Smith regime.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“True and lasting peace can be brought about only by establishing a climate of mutual confidence and increased international solidarity. 123. In this regard we believe that the agreements reached as a result of the second round of SALT are a step forward towards international peace. 124. I wish now to turn to some of the fundamental questions which rightly are of concern to the international community and require urgent solutions. 125. We are convinced that these solutions can easily be found by peaceful means, no matter what the causes of conflict and tension are, provided that every Member of our Organization affirms by its actions our unanimous commitment to bring about peace in the world. 126.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“My Government therefore will support any initiative to make the Indian Ocean a zone of peace, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 2832 (XXVI). We strongly favour the convening of a regional conference on the demilitarization of that zone. There can be no true peace or real economic development until claims of hegemony are eliminated from the world. 121. One cannot on the one hand proclaim and welcome detente and the benefits of peaceful coexistence and co-operation while at the same time pursuing a policy involving the proliferation of destructive weapons, the establishment of military bases, the strengthening of strategic bases and the manipulation of armed conflicts—in fact, running the whole gamut of methods of economic domination. 122.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Similarly, my country welcomes the felicitous initiative of the recent convening of a conference on agrarian reform in Rome. 117. These important meetings were an opportunity for our countries to pool their experiences and to take thought together as to the most appropriate measures to be adopted. 118. We must now put an end to, or at least limit, the proliferation and spread of weapons of mass destruction, since the arms industry is something which swallows up colossal sums of money—money which could otherwise be used for the development of international economic co-operation. 119. The coastal States of the Indian Ocean are profoundly concerned by the proliferation of military strategic bases in the area. This is a serious threat to the sovereignty of the States of that region, as well as to international peace and security. 120.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“There can be no doubt that such an objective, if it is to be achieved, calls for a greater measure of cohesion among us, the development of horizontal and vertical co-operation and, above all, the genuine will on the part of the affluent countries to make concessions so that the North-South dialogue does not become, as it did at the Manila session of UNCTAD, a mere series of failures. 116. My delegation, for its part, will support any attempt at overcoming the present crisis and is gratified at the initiatives taken by the United Nations, which organized in Buenos Aires last year and also in Vienna this year conferences to discuss ways of promoting co-operation among the developing countries and of placing technology at the service of development.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“At the same time, poverty, hunger and disease are gaining ground while inflation is constantly growing, paralysing the efforts of the third-world countries and thus posing a threat to our economies. 115. It is now more necessary than ever, if we really want to bring about peace in the world, for our Organization to acquire the means of putting an end to this situation in order to promote and increase co-operation between the industrialized world and the developing countries. Our peoples expect and call for the establishment and implementation of this new, more just and equitable international economic order, which will bring them a higher measure of prosperity and freedom.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Speaking of international peace and cooperation, if we simply look at the items listed on the agenda of this session, we will see that unfortunately we have not yet made any decisive progress towards the attainment of the objectives or the fulfilment of the aspirations of our Organization. We really must show a little more realism if we are to dare to express any justified optimism or even to attenuate to some extent the feeling of profound malaise which affects the whole world. Indeed, the problem of war and peace is still extremely acute. Economic turbulence, the proliferation of hotbeds of tension as well as futile dialogues on questions which are none the less fundamental, are all evidence of the troubled and divided world in which we live.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“More than 100 sovereign States have thus joined the original signatories of the San Francisco Charter, and have committed themselves unanimously to working towards the establishment of international peace, and the bringing about of a more humane and a more just world. All types of regimes are represented in this Assembly. Representatives of all political tendencies and all political and socio-economic systems are sitting side by side. It is our view that this diversity, instead of dividing us and pitting us against each other, can, on the contrary, constitute a factor for narrowing the differences between men and nations, and thus enrich our exchanges on the basis of our respective experience. It is only in this way that our Organization can fully play its role as an organ serving international peace and co-operation. 114.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The Government of the Federal and Islamic Re-public of the Comoros is consequently fully aware both of the limits and of the real possibilities of a small island country like our own and we are all the more able to understand the need to pursue a policy of intensive co-operation, open to our region and to the world at large, if we are to overcome our isolation and underdevelopment. It is for this reason that we have chosen to pursue a policy of active co-operation with all countries, based on national sovereignty and equality among States, expressing in this way our sincere wish to establish and consolidate links of solidarity, interdependence and mutual interest. 113. Today, we have welcomed to our midst the one hundred and fifty-second Member of our Organization.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The disaster which recently befell the West Indies reminds us again, if there were any need of this, how vulnerable are the economies of island countries. 111. We can only be gratified, therefore, at the increased measure of concern and the particular attention which our Organization, through its competent bodies, particularly UNCTAD, has been increasingly devoting to the specific situation of island countries such as ours, to enable us to develop and effectively to fight the disasters which constantly threaten our economy. 112.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The Comorian islands are situated in a part of the Indian Ocean where floods and cyclones every year threaten to destroy crops, thus making even worse an economic situation that is already extremely precarious. So far the Comorian economy has been almost totally based on agriculture and we never have enough resources to diversify production. Perfume essences and vanilla still constitute the bulk of our exports, and the prices of these products, unfortunately, are subject to enormous fluctuations on the international market from one year to another. This is something which, as a consequence, serves to accentuate our state of dependence on the outside world and to reduce constantly the purchasing power of our people.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Indeed, obvious and particular structural constraints connected with our isolation, our great distance from the major international markets, the extremely small size of our internal markets and also the total lack of natural resources coupled with an extraordinary shortage of qualified administrative and technical personnel, are a heavy burden for our economy to bear. This is a day-to-day reality, something which calls for specific measures to be taken not only by the international community, particularly the relevant bodies of the United Nations, but also by the developed countries, to help us to overcome as best we can the various economic fluctuations and the effects of inflation by which the developing island countries are particularly cruelly affected. 110.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We should also like to bid welcome to Saint Lucia, the one hundred and fifty-second Member of our Organization. Like Saint Lucia, the Comoros is an island State with a limited area and resources, and these, among other factors, have given rise to an excessive dependence on the outside world and have thus seriously hindered our economic development. 109. Permit me to take this opportunity to describe briefly the difficult, not to say tragic, situation of the developing island countries of which my own is one.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“There is no doubt that your personal qualities as a gifted diplomat and your unswerving faith in the defence of African interests and international peace will contribute a great deal to the success we all hope for at this thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly. You can be sure that my delegation will always be ready to make its modest contribution in the carrying out of your delicate and important functions. 106. Permit me also to congratulate the outgoing President, Mr. Lievano of Colombia, on his competence and tireless devotion in carrying out his task. 107. We also express our admiration and gratitude to our Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who has been so steadfast in the service of international justice and peace. 108.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Mr. President, first of all I should like to associate myself with the previous speakers who have extended to you warm congratulations on your unanimous election to preside over this session. The United Republic of Tanzania, which you so well and capably represent in our Organization, maintains with my country more than mere good-neighbourly relations. In fact close historical ties link our two peoples, and today many of the sons of the Comoros have become worthy and loyal citizens of your country. We are particularly proud that the Tanzanian people, under the enlightened leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, is waging a daily and relentless struggle for the total emancipation and liberation of the African continent.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The establishment of a more just economic order has been the keystone to this because it would be the starting-point of all the actions to be taken to promote the rapid, continuous and harmonious growth of our States. 55. The work is tremendous and most difficult, but it is an exalting task. It is the basic task, and on the response that we give to this challenge will depend our relations in the future. 56. My delegation very much hopes that confrontations which are harmful to all of us will give way to sincere, equitable co-operation based on an exalted notion of the destiny of man.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“In this search for a new regime more in keeping with the aspirations of the world community because it will be based upon more equitable and more moral bases, we should give priority to the creation of a supranational institution with the task of exploiting the resources of the ocean. The differences in development between States still, of course, prevent the conclusion of an agreement. But the exhaustion of most of our resources, which is going to take place sooner or later, condemns us to the necessity of having to achieve as rapidly as possible the elaboration of a policy statement which will take account of the interests of all parties. 54. We have defined this decade as being that of development.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)