YouSaid · the spoken record

Fonseca

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS FONSECA

lines on the record: 51
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“But it is equally an era that offers a unique opportunity and exceptional conditions that nurture great expectations and hope in the shaping of a better and more peaceful relationship between nations aimed at building a collective future of peace and well-being. Tolerance, a spirit of solidarity and the promotion of universal values should guide us in the shaping of this collective future. It is incumbent upon us all, small countries and big as well, developed and developing nations, to understand the sense of our community of interest and to take the necessary steps towards that end.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Whatever the outcome, however, enlargement of the Security Council should in no way take place at the expense of the effectiveness of the decisions that that important body is called upon to take on issues of peace and security. On the other hand, the ongoing efforts to streamline the work of the Economic and Social Council should improve the co-ordination of the activities of different bodies dealing with economic and social issues, due account being taken, obviously, of the necessity of preserving the required decentralization and the specific nature of the functions of those bodies. We welcome the decision of the Secretary-General to proceed to an in-depth study on the modalities for that restructuring. Ours is an era of armed confrontation and profound changes in the international scene.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“On the other hand, it is important that whenever an item on its agenda assumes global relevance and generates universal interest it should be considered in the General Assembly itself instead of being transferred for consideration as autonomous subject-matter in an international conference. Lately voices have frequently been heard on the need to enlarge the Security Council membership. We believe that this issue should be tackled in the light of the necessity of adapting this organ to the correlation of forces prevalent in the world today. Equally important is the necessity of taking into consideration a relative balance in the representation in the Council of different regions.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“As the most important organ of the United Nations, where the voices of all member countries are heard, it is important that this Assembly, which is the expression of the democratic character of this Organization, find ways to reactivate its activities and restore its lost prestige. In our view there are different means through which to strengthen the role of the General Assembly. The consideration of measures to rationalize the work of the General Assembly is one such means. Rationalization should touch upon redesigning its agenda and reconsideration of its procedures, including restructuring the debate in the plenary and in the different committees, to avoid unnecessary overlapping and repetition.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The "Agenda for peace" presented by the Secretary-General following the Security Council summit held in January of this year is a solid basis for reflection on issues related to United Nations reform. It is to be hoped that the useful ideas contained therein will be further developed in the ongoing dialogue on the adjustment of the United Nations to today's needs. This necessity for adjustment is already felt even at the level of certain United Nations organs. In fact, the activity of the General Assembly has been seen lately as having lost certain importance, and its prestige has been affected.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Let us hope that it will represent the beginning of a new attitude on the part of Governments and a new spirit of shared responsibilities and international solidarity in the creation of a healthier and ecologically more sound world, a world economically more interdependent and morally more just. The world goes through political, economic and social changes of major magnitude. The United Nations, as a permanent conference where economic, political and social issues are discussed, should reflect such changes in its own structures and procedures so that it may fulfil its potential and strengthen its capacity in dealing with the ever increasing and diversified challenges. In this regard the efforts being made to streamline the work of the United Nations and rationalize its activities are undoubtedly commendable and deserve our support.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In this regard, it is to be hoped that the decision of the Rio Conference to establish an inter-governmental committee to negotiate a convention on drought and desertification will be implemented in the course of this session of the General Assembly. As a country that is seriously affected by drought and desertification. Cape Verde expects the negotiation of such a legal instrument to be crowned with success and its early entry into force to be a landmark in the struggle against this serious problem. Similarly, it is hoped that the important decisions taken at the Rio Conference will have positive follow-up. The time has come for us to show with deeds that this Conference represented a break with a past of environmental negligence.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The problem of underdevelopment is thus today a global concern shared by all those interested in the stability and ecological balance of the world. Therefore the solution of this problem should be found by both developed and developing countries, together. This economic situation becomes even more fragile for the developing countries that are affected by drought and desertification. Africa is the continent most affected in this regard. The enormous dimensions that drought and desertification has assumed in the world and the catastrophic effects it has had on many developing countries and the well-being of their population requires a global plan to face this calamity successfully.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The precarious economic situation in which these countries find themselves plays a negative role in the establishment and consolidation of democratic institutions and offers fertile ground for the resurgence of conflict, which not only poisons social harmony, but also disturbs the peace and security of States. In the past, responding to appeals for economic assistance for developing nations could be seen as the expression of a mere act of human solidarity, but today it is clear that the need to engage all countries, developed and developing, in addressing the problems of underdevelopment represents a global interest that we all have in the creation of objective conditions that will facilitate the internal stability of nations and their harmonious relationship.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is therefore difficult for us to understand the surge of hatred and violence against foreign nationals and migrant workers in certain countries. A large part of my country's population works and resides abroad. Migration is today a universal phenomenon that in a way involves all countries. It is the expression of solidarity among groups and their ability to live in peace with one another, irrespective of their origin or race. Firm measures should be taken in the receiving countries against those engaged in such shameful practices, for they run counter to the basic rules of the civilized world that we all wish to build. The economic situation of the developing countries has not improved, notwithstanding national efforts.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Indeed, fundamental rights and individual liberties are fundamental to the dignity of human beings and should therefore be asserted unconditionally- Jt is in this context that my country has advocated strengthening and improving United Nations mechanisms for the protection of human rights whenever their violation, by its dimension and degree, becomes intolerable. Whenever United Nations action to protect human rights comes into conflict with the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, we should face the issue with the necessary courage and imagination to find a middle-ground approach. I should like in this connection to emphasize my country's concern about the practices of xenophobia and racism in certain countries. Cape Verde takes pride in receiving foreigners in its midst.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Assembly should exert every effort to make the affirmation of and respect for human rights in all their different dimensions a priority issue on its agenda. The repeated violation of fundamental rights in various countries is still a reality that the community of nations cannot tolerate. Every effort should be made to eliminate the abuses that are still being committed in various parts of the world against the dignity of human beings and their basic human rights. While recognizing the multifaceted dimension of human rights, my delegation does not share the functionalist approach to this question.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is incumbent upon the Security Council to carry out this primary responsibility of the United Nations in a speedy, efficient, coherent, impartial and unequivocal manner, whoever the participants in a conflict might be and wherever it might take place. In this connection, I should like to emphasize the relevance of the proposals put forward by the Secretary-General in his report "An Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277), with a view to strengthening the United Nations intervention capacity in the prevention and management of international crises. These proposals deserve careful consideration. My delegation will make its contribution to their analysis in the appropriate forum. The seriousness of the issues of international peace and security require careful consideration of these proposals, with a view to their early implementation.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Against this background, my country hopes that the ongoing peace conference co-sponsored by the United Nations and the European Economic Community will produce satisfactory results in the very near future. The armed confrontations that today seem to be occurring everywhere call for a strong and more effective United Nations handling of its responsibilities in the maintenance of peace and stability. This important role of the United Nations takes on particular importance as an indispensable guarantee of the preservation of the independence, territorial integrity and security of smaller nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“For reasons having to do with peace and political stability in a region as important for international security as Europe, and also with the respect that the humanitarian situation deserves from all of us, the international community should make renewed efforts to bring about peace and normality in that country. In this context, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) can and should play a positive role. Everyone should strictly abide by the principle of territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The internal conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires a solution involving respect for the equal rights of all its citizens. The basis of that solution should be satisfaction of the legitimate aspirations of the country's different communities.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The United Nations should stand firm in the implementation of its deployment decision, even in the face of the opposition of certain factions. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is an example of the unfortunate reality that we are witnessing today, in which many conflicts seem to take hold despite attempts at peaceful negotiation. Notwithstanding the enormous efforts already made in various bodies, including the Security Council, to put an end to the conflict that is raging in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, and that has affected in particular the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no tangible and lasting result has been achieved so far.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I hope that in the case of Somalia all political forces will extend their full cooperation to the United Nations in facilitating the distribution of humanitarian assistance to the affected population. My country condemns any resistance or opposition to the deployment of United Nations forces in Somalia, whose presence becomes necessary for the massive provision of humanitarian assistance. I hope that the United Nations will proceed to the early deployment of an additional 3,000 United Nations guards to Somalia in view of the urgency of the situation. What is at stake here is the survival of the population of Somalia. Each day that passes without humanitarian assistance represents the loss of innumerable lives.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Thus present international relations are dominated by the optimism and hopes for a better future for us all brought about by these changes and, at the same time, by the current political realities where armed confrontations seem to take hold. The tragic situation in Somalia is a blatant example of the many national conflicts that are ravaging the world. I believe that national conflicts such as the one in Somalia, deserve our full attention, bearing in mind the dimension of the loss of human lives, the destruction of property they entail and the repercussions they have on regional and international peace and stability. The United Nations should assist those affected countries in the humanitarian field as well as in helping them to regain their internal political harmony and to bring about a normalization of the situation.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Nevertheless, the open conflicts which seem to proliferate in that part of the world give rise to serious concern about their negative impact on regional and global stability. Similarly, the political movements towards the creation of democratic governments in many parts of the world, mainly in Africa, while anticipating the emergence of a new order: in the existence of nations based upon democratic Pluralism, the participation of populations in running their countries and the affirmation of and respect for the fundamental rights of the citizenry, are also sometimes accompanied by internal political convulsions and conflicts.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“If, on the one hand, the end of the cold war has given rise to an international political environment of great optimism concerning our collective future, it has, on the other, allowed conflicts to come into the open, the negative effects of which are of great concern to us all consuming, as they do, energies and resources so necessary to the economic and social development of countries a prerequisite for peoples to attain their aspirations for progress and well-being. The redefinition of the political geography and the newly institutionalized democracies in Eastern Europe are, without doubt, a political event of major magnitude, the positive effects of which on the international scene are already being felt.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“My country sincerely hopes the ongoing negotiations between Portugal and Indonesia under the auspices of the Secretary-General, as mandated by the General Assembly, will produce positive results which will make it possible in the near future for the people of East Timor to exercise its inalienable right to self-determination. The Assembly welcomed with enthusiasm the end of the cold war which put an end to the spectre of a nuclear holocaust and the policies of bloc rivalry. Cape Verde, together with many other countries, has great hopes for the new era announced by the end of the cold war. We hope that this new era will be dominated by peace ‚Äûn the world, cooperation among countries, global respect for human rights and democratic values and by renewed efforts in the field of economic development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I welcome the 13 new Members of the Organization recently admitted and am certain that their admission will enrich our collective dialogue in the search for solutions to the international problems that affect us all. The principle of universality of the United Nations has thus gained more expression. I hope that countries still under foreign occupation will, in the not-too-distant future, also join the community of nations represented here. Among the countries still under colonial occupation is East Timor. Historical and cultural ties link us with the people of that Territory under foreign occupation.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I should like to begin by congratulating Mr. Stoyan Ganev on his election to the presidency of the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I am certain that under his guidance this session will prove to be a very fruitful one. To your predecessor, Mr. Samir Shihabi of Saudi Arabia, I would like to express my delegation's appreciation for the manner in which he conducted the work of the forty-sixth session and for his personal efforts to strengthen the role of the General Assembly. The election of the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, is of particular satisfaction to Cape Verde. I am certain that, under his leadership, the Organization will be able to face its responsibilities at a moment when fundamental changes are taking place in the world arena towards a more just order and the aspirations of mankind.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The international situation unfolding before us seems to announce a new era in our collective endeavours, an era governed by values to be universally observed, such as respect for the political aspirations and self-determination of peoples; collective measures to protect the environment; universal respect for fundamental human rights; increased international economic cooperation; and respect for international law and United Nations decisions. Only a new international order that promotes those values can ensure our collective survival.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The last decades of this century have spawned many dangerous and complex events - conflicts between states; catastrophic economic situations that have condemned many generations to misery; abuses of and crimes against human rights; political agitation; and permanent world tension under the threat of a nuclear holocaust. It is satisfying to note today, however, that the last years of the last decade initiated a totally new climate of political detente in the world and brewed a number of political events whose positive effects on the relationship between nations gave a new dimension to the activity of this Organisation and made possible political cooperation between the two major Powers. These developments augur well for our common future, which we hope will be more peaceful and devoted to cooperation between countries.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The increased hope that the peoples of the world seems to place in the United Nations as a forum to solve important problems affecting the world might also require adjustments in its political organs and institutions. We believe, however, that any United Nations reform should be oriented not towards creating new spheres of influence or ascribing special powers and privileges to certain countries, but should be guided by the objectives of a new world order based on justice amongst nations, the sovereign equality of all countries, the equal participation of all members in international decisions on collective issues, the protection of States against aggression, and international economic cooperation.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is evident that today no single country, however developed and whatever its military might, can alone solve the problems that affect all nations. It has become clear that global problems require global responses that can only be found within and through the collective action of the United Nations. In order to respond promptly and adequately to these and other international needs, the United Nations will have to adapt to the requirements of today's world. This adaptation will call for some concrete reforms in the Organization and its Charter. The need for United Nations reform has already led to some administrative and financial adjustments in its structure and more recently in the functioning of the Economic and Social Council.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The new world that seems to be unfolding before us should be guided by the philosophy of respect for the principles and norms of international law and by the recognition of the role of the United Nations, first and foremost the Security Council, in the settlement of international conflicts. After the confrontational era that characterised decades of cold war and the ideological warfare that thwarted the important United Nations function of maintaining peace and security, the Security Council is today in a favourable position to become an effective collective instrument to ensure respect for international legality and impose observance of the principles and norms which govern peaceful and harmonious relations among States.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It will be difficult, especially in the contest of a new world order, for these countries to convince the world that they are serious about ensuring that the principles and norms of the Charter are respected and upheld by all nations if they themselves turn a blind eye to the colonial situation of East Timor. On the other hand, we are glad to note that a peaceful mechanism has been found for the Western Sahara question. We maintain that the framework for the solution of this question is the one defined in the United Nations peace plan. We believe that for the plan to be fully implemented, an envisaged, the parties concerned should cooperate with the Secretary-General and honour their commitments as well as the results of the referendum, with all its implications.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In this framework, we feel duty-bound to remind all countries here represented of the untold suffering still being inflicted upon the East Timorese people, whose right of self-determination has been blatantly denied, in flagrant violation of the principles and norms of decolonization. We think it is high time that all peace-loving countries really committed to defending the Charter principles supported the East Timorese people's right of self-determination, with a view to putting an end to the colonial and illegal occupation of this Territory, in accordance with United Nations precepts. We believe that renewed efforts should be made to that end. In this regard, it is our view that countries that bear a special responsibility in the United Nations should play a pivotal role in helping find a United Nations solution for the Timor situation.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We hope that events like this one, which profoundly shook the world, will never again take place. The Gulf crisis once again emphasised the fundamental and central role of the United Nations as the only guarantor of the sovereignty and independence of nations, as well as the imperative necessity for countries to respect the principle of the non-use of force in their international relations and to observe, at all costs, the United Nations principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes. The security of Cape Verde, as a small country, as well as that of many other countries Members of the Organisation, depends on respect for, and the increased assertiveness of, international law. For us, strict observance of the Charter principles and norms is of particular significance in creating and preserving a stable world.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Cape Verde, a country seriously affected by drought and desertification, attaches the greatest importance to this Conference. The United Nations will have an opportunity there to play an important role in establishing world policies to protect our common environment. The United Nations is becoming increasingly important in a world where global problems can be only solved through collective decisions. International peace and security depends today more than ever before on collective actions by the United Nations. We rejoice in its increasingly active role in the preservation of the peace and security of nations, particularly the small nations. In this context, it gives us particular satisfaction to see Kuwait today restored as a sovereign and Independent country, in all its dignity.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“If we want to find adequate cures for environmental ailments - and we shall have to find them, for what is at stake is our own survival - we should, at the same time, endeavour to solve the economic problems, a main factor in the degradation of the environment. The dangers to the environment have been identified and there is a deep awareness of the necessity to protect the environment. Solutions that are required to correct the mistakes of the past are within our reach. Political courage is, however, necessary to ensure the means and the resources to solve the environmental problems. The Conference on Environment and Development, to take place in Brazil in 1992, will give us a unique opportunity seriously to evaluate the environmental situation with a view to finding realistic solutions.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The neglect of the environment over the centuries and the uncontrolled economic exploitation during past decades have had catastrophic results throughout the world. The danger to the environment that we face today is well documented: rain that does not fall, land that becomes desert, forests that disappear, species that become extinct, the ozone layer that is depleted, and a host of other environmental problems. These environmental problems require prompt global solutions. The issue of the environment, perhaps more than any other on the international agenda, is a clear example of the necessity to tackle collectively all the global problems we face today.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The idea of a new world order requires serious consideration of the economic problems which have plunged millions upon millions of human beings into misery, which have kept the majority of countries in a constant state of political instability, and which have been a negative factor in the process of democratisation. Here again, we share the view expressed by the Secretary-General that perhaps the time has come to reactivate the process of global negotiations. The reactivation of global negotiations is an issue as momentous as the fact that the poverty affecting a sizeable portion of the world's populations and the underdevelopment of many countries also have harmful consequences - more obvious today than ever before - on the environment.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“There cannot be any doubt today that the poverty of peoples has a direct impact on the environmental conditions which have a negative repercussion on the quality of our lives. On the other hand, underdevelopment and the poverty it generates are a constant source of political and social instability, whose negative impact on the world economy is evident. We have come to a stage in international affairs where everything seems to depend on everything else. We believe that now that there seems to be a more realistic approach towards dealing with international issues, we should take advantage of this unique historical opportunity to face economic problems that for long have been crippling the political stability and the social fabric of developing nations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Certainly, democracy and the protection of human rights are indispensable conditions for creating a favourable climate for development, but development that is in and of itself an important factor in consolidating democracy also requires human and material resources and a policy aimed at creating a prosperous and wealthy society. The developing countries have long struggled to create better living conditions for their populations. Many of these countries seem to have lost the struggle owing to various negative factors, among them a negative economic climate, notwithstanding enormous efforts undertaken. We believe it to be in the interest of the international community that development problems be seen and solved as global problems affecting all of us.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We hope that the World Conference on Human Rights, scheduled to take place in 1993 in Berlin under the auspices of the United Nations, will help find an answer to these problems. If today democracy seems to be part of our common culture and respect for the protection of human rights deserves the support of all countries, then economic development should equally be a major concern to us all. Democracy and the protection of human rights do not by themselves warrant the much-needed political stability of nations. Democracy and human rights alone cannot ensure the well-being and happiness of peoples and are certainly not a substitute for economic development.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Cape Verde is a country with a homogenous population without any significant cultural or ethnic minorities. We none the less remain sensitive to acts of discrimination against minorities and to any violation of their rights. We believe that no group, however large, has the right to preach: nor should it have the arrogance to impose less favourable treatment on another group, however small it might be. Every individual, by virtue of his own human nature, is endowed with the same rights and deserving of equal protection irrespective of his birthplace, skin colour, economic condition, ethnic background or political or religious convictions. Here again the United Nations needs to strengthen its existing mechanisms with a view to providing effective protection for minorities.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Existing United Nations mechanisms are ineffective in coping with such situations. Although the principle of sovereignty of countries is sacred to all of us and one that we staunchly defend, we believe that sovereignty should be seen as a shield to protect the people and not as an instrument, a weapon to be used against their basic rights or to annihilate them. We believe that the conditions should be created in the United Nations to respond effectively to these unfortunate situations in order to protect defenceless populations and shield them from atrocities. In this context we share the ideas expressed by the Secretary-General in his report on the work of the Organisation. On the other hand, violations of the rights of minorities are also a source of concern for us.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The existing United Nations mechanisms and the current applicable legal instruments deserve a more focused attention on the part of all those who are serious about the protection of human rights as a major endeavour on the United Nations agenda in today's world. The need for better mechanisms and for more efficient United Nations action in these fields becomes evident in situations of civil war where systematic, gross and generalized violations of human rights assume alarming proportions. Lately we have witnessed all sorts of crimes against the populations of certain countries torn by civil war, from arbitrary imprisonment to indiscriminate killing. That is even more alarming is that the United Nations witnesses all these crimes, incapable of taking measures to save lives or protect the defenceless population.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In some countries that receive migrant workers - although most of the time governed by democratic regimes - one witnesses violations of human rights on the basis of the discrimination to which those migrant workers fall victim. In some countries with diverse cultural and ethnic groups, violations of human rights are also translated into the denial of rights to the ethnic or cultural minorities. Any violation of human rights, whether to attain certain political goals or pursue some economic objectives or based on cultural, ethnic or other considerations, should he condemned outright by the United Nations. We believe that the United Nations should be more active in the search for a solution of .these and other weak areas of our international activity in the protection of human rights.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Although we all preach adherence to international norms and proclaim the need to protect human rights, the fact of the matter is that we still live in a world where arbitrary imprisonment, torture and the denial of the most fundamental human rights predominate. Every day in various corners of the world there are people who suffer and die at the hands of those who, to preserve the political status quo, disregard the most elementary rights of the citizens. Unfortunately, the violation of human rights seems to be a universal plague. In countries where a monolithic structure of power predominates, the violation of human rights is normally rooted in a need to preserve political power.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Through free and fair democratic elections that reflected the aspirations of its people, Cape Verde has today a government that operates within the confines of democratic institutions and with strict respect for the freedom and political rights of all citizens. The democratic process taking place in Cape Verde is, because of its seriousness, a valuable contribution to the global effort of democratisation and respect for the liberty and fundamental rights of all human beings. With the establishment of a democratic society, we believe we have created the conditions that will allow the Cape Verdean people to engage freely and enthusiastically in the building of a better and more just future for itself. We witness in many countries a climate conducive to human rights violations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“All over the continent the peoples are clearly demonstrating their willingness to shoulder the responsibility for their destinies, to express their political aspirations in freedom, to redefine their objectives and to rethink their political organisations on the basis of the values of pluralism and respect for the dignity of the human being. The recent political changes that took place In Cape Verde are to be viewed within the context of the current social movement for profound political changes in Africa and are part and parcel of the expression of the same desire for liberty and the fruit of the same aspiration of all peoples for real democracy.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The indomitable desire for freedom and aspirations to democracy are today shared throughout the world. In the countries of Eastern Europe, the monolithic power structure which for decades suppressed the legitimate aspirations of their citizens is now falling apart, in the face of the deep desire for freedom and the expressed will of the peoples to take their destinies into their own hands. In Africa the peoples are becoming restless and reacting against the economic and social backwardness in which they find themselves as a result of, among other factors, negative policies implemented over the years.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The new world order, which is talked about so much nowadays and which I am sure most of us would like to see taking hold, should be based upon different premises and pursue objectives that more adequately meet the requirements and the humanism of our time. The ongoing political changes in the world are most encouraging. The upsurge in the affirmation of the right of self-determination and independence of peoples in countries that not long ago felt powerless to assert, their will and give expression to their freedom, as well as the desire for democracy expressed throughout the world, seems to foretell the emergence of this new world. Today more than ever before, democracy is sought after by the peoples of the world, whatever their developmental status, cultural background or history.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“A new international order seems to be taking shape and consolidating after decades of political frustrations and uncertainties inherited from the Second World War. The relations among States have been in the past, and in large measure still are, very much influenced by the pressure exerted by some countries over others, by the policies of spheres of influence, by violations of fundamental norms governing relations among nations and by economic disparity between the North and the South, which have given rise to enormous poverty and left a sizeable area of the planet economically underdeveloped. On the other hand, at the national level, the history of the peoples has recorded painful episodes of flagrant violations of fundamental human rights, political repression and the denial of liberty to the citizens.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The admission of these seven countries is an important event in international politics which contributes towards the consolidation of the ideal of universality of the United Nations and is the result of the profound political changes that the world has undergone over recent years. We are witnessing the dawn of a new era in the life of peoples and in the relations among nations. The world is undergoing profound national changes and adjustments, whose final results will, we hope, be the redefinition of International relations, this time based upon mutual respect, the freedom and self-determination of peoples, respect for the democratic ideal and human rights, and economic cooperation between States.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Javier Perez de Cuellar, on the successes registered in various fields and on his personal commitment to helping find peaceful solutions for international conflicts. Under his leadership the United Nations, after many years of stagnation, has had a productive period in pursuance of its purposes and in the implementation of its principles. We warmly welcome the admission as new Members of the Organization of the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)