YouSaid · the spoken record

George Vassiliou

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS GEORGE VASSILIOU

lines on the record: 107
first: 1988-09-24
most recent: 1991-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“Allow me to echo the sentiments of previous speakers and welcome the Principality of Liechtenstein, a fellow small State, to the United Nations as its 160th Member, and allow me also to congratulate our friends from Yemen on their momentous decision to reunite their countries, and to welcome them here as a delegation of a united Yemen, although this means that we have one Member State less. I would also like to express our great appreciation and esteem for the work of the Secretary-General, so much of which is connected with Cyprus, whose instructive and thoughtful report we have read with great interest. We commend his skill and commitment in handling the affairs of the United Nations and in further promoting the goals and objectives of this world Organisation, which constitutes the moral and social conscience of mankind.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“I would like to begin by offering you, Sir, my warmest congratulations on assuming the high office of President of the General Assembly. It is only fitting that Malta, a fellow non-aligned and United-Nations-minded country, should be given the opportunity to guide this session of the General Assembly to successful fruition. Your election adds weight to the truth that all countries, large and small, have a role to play in the world of today and that of tomorrow, I would also like to thank the out-going President, Major-General Joseph Garba, for his skilful management of the forty-fourth session, which saw the encouraging trend towards consensus resolutions continue.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“In the year to come let us resolutely strive to end conflicts, let us reinforce our understanding of the common nature of many of our problems, and let us take action to extend respect for international law and consolidate a global ethical order. In concluding, I should like to leave members with the thought that the price of failing in these goals is one which none of us can afford to pay, while success cannot but benefit us all.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We commend the ongoing United Nations Environment Programme - World Meteorological Organization study of climate change and its environmental and economic repercussions and the special United Nations study on key environmental issues, including the link between environment and development. We are witnessing today, just as we did at the time when the United Nations was created out of the ashes of the Second World War, a rebirth of hope. Hope in humankind's better nature, in the triumph of peace over war, co-operation over conflict, human rights over oppression, and reason over barbarism. The United Nations embodies these ideals and represents our best chance of working together as a world community, on the basis of common principles and interests, to achieve them.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“There is only one Earth, and it is humankind's one and only home. There is a vital need to link economic with ecological management, to link considerations of profit and production with environmental considerations. We welcome the proposal made by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Non-Aligned Conference in Belgrade for the establishment of a "Planet Protection Fund" and we recommend that this proposal be taken up here in the Assembly for further consideration and action. As early as 1972, the United Nations noted emerging environmental problems at the Conference on the Human Environment. The Organization can contribute significantly towards the elaboration of an integrated environmental policy to tackle problems such as the disposal of toxic or hazardous wastes, the depletion of the ozone layer, or desertification.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We must find ways of reducing - even eliminating - these profits, bearing in mind at all times that drug addiction is an illness and not a crime. Meanwhile, we must continue efforts to expose and thus short-circuit the mechanisms of laundering drug profits through banks and other channels. The scourge of terrorism is sometimes a derivative of the drug trade. We stress the need for the sharing of information and the results of research for the detection of explosives or other tools of the terrorists' trade, and support Security Council resolution 638 (1989) condemning hostage-taking and calling for the release of all hostages. All our other achievements in the political, economic or social spheres will have been in vain unless we succeed in tackling the smouldering ecological crisis faced by our planet.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Their elimination therefore requires concerted international action. The United Nations has a key role to play in generating and co-ordinating such action. One such problem is that of illicit drug abuse. Cyprus applauds efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking and is doing its best to contribute to the suppression of the drug trade. However, we stress the need to tackle the drug problem, which has grown to such proportions as to threaten the entire social fabric of some countries, not only by trying to stop the supply but also by trying to eliminate the demand. Not only economic rules but also common sense tell us that demand generates supply, and that under such circumstances attempting to suppress the supply merely drives up profits from production and distribution.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Thus the debt problem can never be definitively resolved unless these issues are addressed. We believe there is an urgent need for a political dialogue on economic problems„ The special session of the General assembly on economic issues next spring could provide an effective forum for such a dialogue. We also welcome efforts to revive the Economic and Social Council as a means of promoting the role of the United Nations in tackling economic and social issues. However, we would also like to emphasize the need for direct talks between the developed and the developing nations on these issues. We face today a set of problems that fall outside the strictly political and economic spheres but nevertheless significantly impinge upon them. These problems are, in varying degrees, common to all nations.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“In many developing countries economic growth is stifled by the debt burden; the overall debt of the developing countries at the end of 1988 was estimated at 31,240 billion, and debt servicing at a massive $171 billion. The result is a net transfer of resources from the developing to the developed nations. According to last month's World Bank annual report, the transfer of resources from developing countries to all lenders in 1988 rose to about $50 billion, from $38 billion in the previous year. While we welcome the fact that several debt-relief initiatives have been put forward recently, we would like to stress that the third-world debt problem is largely the result of low commodity prices and adverse movements in terms of trade, exacerbated by high interest rates.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Our public and private deliberations at last month's Ninth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries in Belgrade, stressed the need for a constructive dialogue between the developed and the developing countries and explored ways of resolving global political problems, as well as economic aid social problems. Hence we welcome the increasing concern and involvement of the United Nations in problems of economic development a d in a number of global social issues with important political and economic implications. Our gains in the political field could be seriously undermined by existing economic inequalities and imbalances. Despite an improvement in world output and international trade during the past 12 months, the economic situation of the developing countries has continued to deteriorate.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We are gratified to note that as a result of the recent progress towards the resolution of conflicts four new peace-keeping operations have been launched in the last three years and an additional three are currently being actively considered. We strongly support the Secretary-General's recommendations for the strengthening of the role of the united Nations in order to boost compliance with the Organization's decisions and make the united Nations an effective agent for the prevention, and not just the termination, of conflicts. The States members of the Non-Aligned Movement, which include Cyprus and which form the backbone of the United Nations, can make a valuable contribution to the efforts to defuse conflicts aid strengthen the role of the Organization.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Now more than ever we count on our friends in the international community not to allow impediments to be placed in its way. lb sum up, we can say that the new climate of confidence between the two super-Powers has effectively reversed the post-war trend towards regional conflicts and proxy wars. It has imposed significant restraints on the outbreak of new hostilities and transferred many disputes from the battlefield to the negotiating table. We are, however, still looking forward to the day when confidence between the super—Powers will have become great enough to give the various peace efforts under way the last decisive push towards their successful completion. The United Nations has an invaluable role to play in fulfilling the arduous task of settling problems and bringing peace to war-torn areas of the globe.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“The outlines of such a solution are clear. Cyprus would be federally organized and each community would have one region under its administration. The human rights of all citizens and the cultural identity aid economic well-being of both communities would be safeguarded. We have proposed that the Republic of Cyprus should be demilitarised and this, together with the federal provisions, leaves no room for anxiety on the part of the Turkish Cypriots regarding their security. The Republic as a whole, however, should also be secure. This means that there is no room in the Cyprus we are working to build for the presence of foreign troops or for unilateral rights of intervention by Turkey. A solution to the Cyprus problem is possible.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“A situation in which human rights are violated, communities are forcibly segregated on ethnic and religious lines, and territory occupied by a foreign Power is neither just nor a guarantee against future conflicts. Nor can the status quo be accepted as a solution to the Cyprus problem by the international community, for all nations are acutely conscious of the destabilizing potential of legitimising the invasion and occupation of the territory of one sovereign State by the armies of another. It is particularly regrettable that the Turkish side is taking such a negative position at a time of progress in resolving regional problems world-wide, after a year of hard work in the negotiations which, with the assistance of the Secretary-General and his representatives, demonstrated that a solution to the Cyprus problem is feasible.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We acquired defensive equipment including 16 tanks, for 10,000 to 12,000 young conscripts. Time and again we offered, in fact demanded, the demilitarisation of Cyprus. I challenge the Turkish Government; let is demilitarise Cyprus. Withdraw your 35,000 troops and we shall at the same time disband our forces and dispose of all our arms. Moreover, I reiterate the offer I made last year before the Assembly to use the funds released thereby for the development of Cyprus, especially for the Turkish-Cypriot community which has fallen behind. We stress that we do not, cannot and will not accept the status quo as a solution to the Cyprus problem.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“They also raise serious questions as to whether the objective of the Turkish side, rather than a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, may not in fact be the legitimisation of the present division and occupation of nearly 40 per cent of Cyprus. Yesterday the Foreign Minister of Turkey called this occupied territory "Turkish Cypriot". This is indicative of Turkey's thinking. This territory is Cypriot territory. It belongs to all Cypriots, especially those who had lived there in ancestral homes for generations before they were expelled by the brute force of Turkey's military might. The Foreign Minister of Turkey also alluded to the Republic's purchases of arms. What does Turkey expect us to do? Should we sit idle while they amass 35,000 troops, 300 modern tanks and other sophisticated equipment?”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Whereas those agreements provide for a unified federated Cyprus, Mr. Denktash is now demanding a separate state as a pre-condition for further dialogue. Whereas the high-level agreements support the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the citizens of the Republic, Mr. Denktash envisages an apartheid regime in Cyprus with the complete segregation of Greek and Turkish Cypriots in two separate enclaves. Coupled with the further hardening of the Turkish attitude in the talks, there have been threats aid attempts to settle Muslims from Bulgaria in the occupied area of Cyprus. Those developments are aimed at creating new fait accompli that would seriously undermine the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Denktash's position, also reflected in a resolution he secured from the so-called Turkish Cypriot Assembly, which was rejected by Turkish Cypriot opposition leaders, who we believe represent the majority opinion within their community, sets the withdrawal of the Secretary-General's ideas as a precondition for the resumption of talks. It is characteristic that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey in his address yesterday referred to this resolution, but he failed to inform the Assembly that it demanded the withdrawal of the Secretary-General's ideas and that it laid down all sorts of pre-conditions. Mr. Denktash, through this resolution, also in effect rejects the 1977 high-level agreements reached by him aid Presidents Makarios and Ryprianou, which have been accepted by both sides as the basis for the current negotiations.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Denktash in the presence of the Secretary-General's Representative and three joint meetings in New York with the Secretary-General himself culminated, last Jute, in a set of ideas that Mr. Perez de Cuellar presented to the two sides as food for thought in further negotiations. In presenting those ideas the Secretary-General was acting fully within the mandate conferred upon him by the Security Council. Mr. Denktash's reaction was to reject the agreed negotiating procedure aid to challenge the mandated role of the Secretary-General. Mr.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Motivated by a sincere desire to put an end to the suffering of the people of Cyprus - Greek and Turkish - I expressed, soon after my election, my readiness to meet with Prime Minister Ozal of Turkey or with the President, General Evren, since certain aspects of the Cyprus problem, such as the presence of Turkish occupation troops and settlers, can be resolved only by Ankara, unfortunately Turkey has so far not accepted my proposal. At the same time we were happy to begin substantive talks with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash, on the basis of a procedure proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar. More than 80 hours of talks with Mr.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Cyprus has been subjected to invasion and occupation, forced displacement of one third of its population and massive colonization by citizens of the invading country: Turkey. There are 1,619 people who are still missing and all efforts to trace them have met with Turkish uncooperativeness. In recalling these facts, I do not intend to exchange recriminations with our powerful neighbour, Turkey? it is simply a matter of putting the Cyprus problem in perspective.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We should like to join the Secretary-General, however, in warning that a partial easing of the abhorrent system of apartheid will not solve the problem of South Africa, either in the eyes of the world or in the eyes of its people. Justice will be done fully only when apartheid is dismantled fully. The gravity of a problem must be measured not only in terms of the size of the territory or the number of people affected but also in terms of the principles involved. The Cyprus problem, viewed from the standpoint of principle, is an enormous moral problem, a clear case of breach of the accepted norms of international behaviour and of grave violations of the United Nations Charter, the Organization's resolutions on Cyprus and the rule of law.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Cyprus has provided all possible humanitarian assistance to the large numbers of Lebanese fleeing the country in recent months. We hope that all the parties in Lebanon will realize the futility of war and will join forces in reconstituting their country. In South Africa, the racist system of apartheid has run its course - condemned by the international community not only as unjust but also as anachronistic. We cautiously welcome certain trends towards the dismantling of apartheid following the recent elections in South Africa, and hope for the speedy release of all political prisoners, the lifting of restrictions on political activity, and the restoration of freedom of speech aid movement.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We congratulate President Arafat on the statesmanship displayed in the historic decisions for a just aid comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian problem which would both recognize the national rights of the Palestinian people and guarantee the security of all States in the region. The people of Israel — themselves victims of centuries of persecution - must recognize the futility of a policy that denies the aspiration of an entire people to live in their own homeland in peace and dignity. We are appalled by the tragedy of Lebanon and the enormous suffering of its people. We welcome the return to peace and the halt of Lebanon's disintegration, as a result of the efforts of the Arab League and of the Tripartite Committee on Lebanon.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“In the Middle East, the interrelated problems of Palestine and the Lebanon are of particular concern to Cyprus, in that their resolution is vital to peace in the region. We support the launching of an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, and regret strongly the deteriorating situation in the occupied territories, where the Israeli authorities continue to react to the intifadah with killings, and detentions on an increasingly large scale. We stress the need for effective negotiations based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), taking fully into account the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to live in peace in their own homeland.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“The unilateral withdrawal of the Vietnamese forces has opened the way to a peaceful settlement. We urge all the parties concerned not to use the impasse in the peace negotiations as an opportunity to launch a new round of fighting, which would inflict fresh bloodshed and suffering on the Cambodian people. The implementation of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) on the conflict between Iran and Iraq in large measure still eludes us, although the cease-fire agreed upon in 1988 remains in place and the loss of human lives has ended, lasting peace in the region depends on full agreement on the interpretation of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) aid on its implementation.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“We strongly support the help being provided by the United Nations towards the consolidation of democracy and an end to foreign interference in the region. The optimism generated by these positive developments, however, is tempered by the conflicts and problems that continue to afflict other parts of the world. In Afghanistan, despite the 1988 Geneva Accords, the civil war continues unabated, causing immense bloodshed and hardship among the people of that country. It is time that outside interference was converted into genuine interest in bringing peace and reconciliation to Afghanistan. The Afghan people need tools with which to reconstruct their country, not weapons with which to continue destroying it. We also regret the stalemate in the Paris Conference on Cambodia.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Reflecting the shift from confrontation to co-operation in super-Power relations, a number of conflicts at diverse points on the globe are now on the path to peaceful resolution. Namibia is now firmly launched on the road to independence. The personal involvement of the Secretary-General has contributed decisively to the Namibia independence process, which represents a key success for the United Nations. We also welcome the continued progress towards the resolution of the dispute in Western Sahara, on the basis of the peace plan presented by the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) just over one year ago. In Central America, we applaud the stepping up of efforts by the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua for the implementation of the Esquipulas II Agreement.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“A long list of disarmament accords, which a few years ago seemed unattainable, have been concluded, while the prospects for the ongoing East-West talks on conventional force reductions, chemical weapons and strategic offensive weapons have been greatly enhanced, particularly following this month's successful meeting in Wyoming between Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze and Mr . James Baker. We are encouraged by the proposal made by President George Bush at the General Assembly for cuts of at least 80 per cent in the super-Power chemical-weapons arsenals, with the aim of a total ban on such weapons within 10 years of the signing of a multilateral chemical-weapons treaty, and by the very positive response of the Soviet Union.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“At the same time, we have become aware of the many challenges raised by this era, which must be met effectively before our positive expectations and aspirations can be fully realized. Relations between the two major super-Powers - the bellwether for a general amelioration of the international political climate - have continued to improve at a quickening pace, surpassing our expectations. The momentous importance of the shift from confrontation to co-operation between the United States and the Soviet Union can hardly be overestimated. As a result of the opportunity for dialogue on an expanded agenda created by this new positive climate, there is today a marked overall improvement in East-West relations.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“I should like first of all to offer you. Sir, my warm congratulations on taking up the presidency of the General assembly and to express my deep thanks to the outgoing President, Mr. Dante Caputo, for his work. I should like also to express our esteem and appreciation for the excellent work of the Secretary-General - whose thoughtful and informative report we have read with great interest - in conducting the affairs and promoting the goals of the United Nations. When we gathered at the United Nations this time last year we all spoke with hope of the dawning of a new, more peaceful epoch in international affairs. Political developments of momentous significance in the intervening 12 months have confirmed our hopes of a new era.”
1989-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 44 (1989)
“Our most fundamental task is, of course, the extension of the frontiers of peace, security and justice in the world. Universal peace and justice may be unattainable ideals, but a world without blatant injustices should be within our reach. What is most needed for this to materialise is a clearer perception of the dangers inherent in division and strife, a better understanding of the global nature of many of our problems, an extension of and greater respect for international law and a determined move from local to global morality. The best vehicle for such a vital move is the United Nations. The future of mankind, the very possibility of life on earth, depend on such a determined move on the part of us all.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“It could also point to the need for elaborating the necessary laws that could form the basis for more responsible international attitudes in this field and the possible creation of a world ecological council. The preservation and upgrading of the environment is in the interest of the whole world and it should therefore involve an equitable sharing of the attendant costs. For this reason we suggest that the international community make much more substantial contributions to the existing Environmental Fund, so that it may be able to achieve the compelling aims that prompted its establishment. It should be noted that contributing to this Blind should not be taken as another form of aid to the developing countries. The world community is beset with problems old and new.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“The unsightly spectacle of ships trying to discharge their deleterious cargo on the high seas or by the shores of unsuspecting countries should galvanise us all into action for the permanent prohibition of such obscene practices. What, can we do in the face of such dangers? Echoing the Secretary-General's warnings, we would suggest putting the ecological problem high on the agenda of the United Nations. The idea of convening an international conference on environment needs to be given priority. Such a conference, apart free raising public awareness on ecological dangers, could help devise new and practical measures for addressing all related issues.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“The threats posed by selfish, short-sighted or simply ignorant environmental policies are legion. The catalogue is daunting. Pollution of the seas, rivers and soil, deforestation, desertification, the widening gap in the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, climatic changes, depletion of irreplaceable natural resources, dumping of toxic wastes, and acid rain are some of the modern scourges that have to be addressed before they become unmanageable and before their destructive consequences become irreversible. Particular mention should be made of the fact that some underdeveloped countries are being used as dumping grounds for the toxic wastes of industrialized countries. This unacceptable practice should not be allowed to continue.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“The underlying motive of the Initiative is the idea that the fight against hunger cannot be waged by means of food relief aid alone. It can be waged more effectively by helping the countries concerned to develop their agriculture and produce more food in order to feed their populations. The World Food Council is presently consulting Governments and international agencies with a view to presenting an action-oriented report on the Cyprus initiative to its next ministerial meeting in Cairo next year. We hope that this important initiative will receive the support it deserves from all nations. Few of the problems of our time are entirely local. The universal interconnection of problems demands concerted world-wide action if global catastrophes are to be averted. The problem of the protection of the environment is a good case in point.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“Another major and related challenge facing the world is the eradication of hunger and malnutrition, which affects 500 million people around the world. The annual death toll from hunger is estimated at 50 million. Tragically, more than 15 million of these deaths are of Innocent children. Hunger in the world of plenty and a time of unprecedented technological progress is an unacceptable state of affairs. We are gratified that the name of Cyprus has been associated with efforts to alleviate this problem. The Cyprus Initiative Against Hunger in the World, which was adopted at the ministerial meeting of the World Food Council held in Nicosia in May this year, provides for an urgent review of the efforts made to date and for effective new measures.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“I therefore propose that a practical and realistic approach for tackling the debt problem, would be to take a cue from the international financial markets and to devise solutions which utilize the present mote favourable trends. In line with my previous proposal, I would suggest that the debt problem could be tackled by the urgent establishment by each developed creditor nation of a national fund for the purpose of buying back the debts owed to commercial banks and other lending agencies at discounted market rates. The cost of these national debt relief programmes would be minimal if they were coupled with an imaginative use of tax credits. It is implied that the fund would buy the debt with tax credits offered to the creditor banks over a number of years.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“A few months ago, from this very rostrum, I presented a proposal to the third special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, with the objective of ameliorating the external debt problem of developing countries. My proposal envisaged that a considerable part of the savings arising from reduction in military expenditure by developed creditor countries should be used to establish a national fund to buy at the present discounted market rates the outstanding loans owed to the commercial banks. The idea of utilizing the savings from disarmament measures to reduce the debt burden of developing countries is still valid. The debt problem, however, is urgent. It threatens every day the welfare and the future prospects of the world's poor, and its solution cannot wait for progress on disarmament.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“I refer in particular to the results of the Toronto Western Economic Summit Meeting and the decisions of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to proceed with the general capital increase and the enhanced structural adjustment facility respectively. The emphasis given to the need to solve the international debt problem at the recent Berlin meetings of the World Bank and IMF is another welcome development. The French Government's decision for a 30 per cent debt write-off is a move in the right direction. The same can to said about the recent willingness on the part of Japan to recycle its payment surpluses in favour of developing countries.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“Within this context, we welcome the greater understanding of the debt problem shown recently by developed countries. Notable progress has been achieved through the case-by-case approach, the greater use of debt conversion and the increasing use of secondary debt markets. One of the interesting aspects of the adjustment process in international financial markets has been the acceptance by bankers of secondary market prices as low as 50 cents per dollar of debt. This suggests that the time is ripe for agreement on substantial debt write-offs. There have also been some positive developments within the United Nations system and through intergovernmental agreements.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“In the overall efforts for a fairer development of the international economy the comprehensive package of economic measures incorporated in the Nicosia Document of the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference should be the object of serious negotiations with the developed countries within the spirit of understanding and co-operation that has become more evident in recent months. I should like to draw attention to the enormity and the disruptive effects of the problem of the external debt owed by developing countries. The burden of external debt servicing and the reluctance of commercial banks to provide new credit are factors severely retarding the development efforts of low-income countries. It is imperative that the external debt problem become a focal point of an international development strategy.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“Moet developing countries still suffer from the burden of underdevelopment, while in the leant developed countries basic needs The development prospects for most developing countries are aggravated by minimal, and in some cases negative, rates of economic growth, trade imbalances, low commodity prices, the external debt problem and the associate net flow of resources to the developed countries. The situation is made worse by the deterioration of the level of international economic co-operation, the stagnation of official development aid, the obstacles to access to the markets of developed countries and a series of natural disasters.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“We believe that, in the future federal Republic of Cyprus that we envision, all Cypriots, whether Greek or Turkish, should enjoy equality of opportunity and fundamental freedoms, including the right to develop their distinctive cultural heritages. In this new and delicate phase of the Cyprus problem the Increased Interest and support of the international community will greatly enhance the prospects for its early solution. Though the international political climate has been improving, the global economic outlook remains uncertain.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“A just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem is not only in the interest of the whole population of Cyprus, it would also contribute to the strengthening of peace in the Mediterranean, Progress on a just solution of the problem of Cyprus is a key to the continuation of the dialogue between Greece and Turkey. The solution of the Cyprus problem is clearly outlined in the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Such a solution implies that all foreign troops and settlers are withdrawn from the island, that basic human rights are respected, that no country has a unilateral right of intervention in our affairs and that the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-alignment of Cyprus ace safeguarded.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“The proposal includes the establishment of an international peace force under the auspices of the United Nations, the composition and terms of reference of which would be agreed upon and endorsed by the Security Council. Demilitarization would create the conditions for resolving the Cyprus problem and would provide the answer to any security concern on the pact of the Turkish Cypriots. There would be additional benefits to them in another way. We undertake to use the funds which will be saved through demilitarization for the development of areas of Cyprus which have fallen behind economically and primarily for projects which will benefit mainly the Turkish Cypriots. Part of the savings could also be used for financing the international peace force to be established.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“I am convinced that all the Pain elements of the Cyprus problem could easily be solved by that date provided that the necessary political will and good faith were exhibited on all sides. WE, for our part, are determined to work hard and with constructive goodwill towards this objective despite any obstacles or disappointments on the way. To facilitate the earliest possible solution, I have repeated in the past, and 1 reiterate now, our proposal for the demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus. We propose to dismantle the military forces of the Republic if all Turkish troops and settlers withdraw and if the armed elements they have fostered are disbanded.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“In this, the fortieth anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; I should like to re-emphasize the dedication of the Government and people of Cyprus to the principles of the Declaration and our determination to see them applied to the whole of our country and to the benefit of all its inhabitants. In their long struggle for independence and unity the people of Cyprus have been looking to the United Nations for support and vindication. Ti-s ¡resumed dialogue initiated by the Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, between myself and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Rauf Denktash, creates new opportunities for our country. The target is to achieve a just and lasting solution of the" Cyprus problem by June 1989. Doubts have been expressed as to whether it is possible to achieve a solution by that date.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“The Conference which was, by general agreement, a remarkable success, helped cement the unit/ and cohesion of the non-aligned countries. The steps taken for increasing the effectiveness and relevance of the Non-Aligned may errant in today's world will be of great benefit to the international community as a whole, since there is a close relationship between the concerns and the challenges facing the non-aligned countries and the United Nations. I should like, in this connection, to highlight the adoption of the Nicosia Declaration and the decision to establish a Ministerial Committee in order to examine the structural, organizational and procedural aspects of the Movement.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)
“In South Africa, the repugnant structures of apartheid have not yet been dismantled and the front-line States live under the constant fear of destabilization. Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners have not yet been .freed. The Palestinian people are denied their inalienable national rights and are still subjected to unceasing oppression in the occupied areas. In Central America the hopes generated by the Guatemala agreements have not materialized and the situation remains unstable. A united response is most urgently needed for a just and durable resolution of all these problems. The non-aligned countries, at their Ministerial Conference held last month in Nicosia, expressed their determination to work together with the United Nations in order to meet these challenges.”
1988-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 43 (1988)