YouSaid · the spoken record

GLAFCOS CLERIDES

lines on the record: 188
first: 1993-09-24
most recent: 2001-09-24
sittings or episodes: 8
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“It constitutes progress by integrating control of population, environmental protection and economic growth into the approach to population issues. 2 The Rio Conference was a historic turning point in this direction. Yet the follow-up and implementation of the decisions taken at the Earth Summit remain contingent on the political will to save our living space’s web of life. The Barbados Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, as the first test of the international community’s attachment to the Rio commitments, focused on the acute problems that small island developing States are confronted with.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We fully subscribe to the Secretary-General’s assertion that development is a fundamental human right and that development is the most secure basis for peace. In accordance with the deliberations on the subject, a successful implementation of the agenda for development depends on the priority to be given the following elements: the alleviation of poverty and its underlying causes, especially in Africa and other least- developed regions; health and the status of women. There is an urgent need for clear and effective population policies. In this regard, the recently concluded Cairo Conference on Population and Development rightly placed great emphasis on development and the environment. The new characteristic of the Conference’s Programme of Action is precisely this linkage with sustainable development and protection of the environment.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In this exercise the United Nations, through the Secretariat itself, the recently enhanced United Nations Development Programme and the various specialized agencies, performs one of the most important missions, that of pursuing the betterment and the economic well-being of peoples throughout the world. These activities are also amply outlined in the Secretary- General’s report, and therefore I do not intend to dwell on them other than to declare that we are cognizant of their importance and that they have our full support. We commend the Secretary-General’s integrated approach to development issues in "An Agenda for Development", which complements his ground-breaking "An Agenda for Peace".”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In this regard I would recall that my Government decided early this year, after an appeal by the Secretary-General, to double on a voluntary basis its assessed contribution to all peace-keeping operations. Our commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes was thus manifested once again in a concrete and practical way. We hope that our gesture will soon be emulated by others. Our Organization desperately needs generosity by its Member States if it is to continue performing its herculean mission effectively. It is widely acknowledged that economics plays an important role in today’s world politics. Development, the protection of the environment, poverty alleviation, social progress, the improvement of health standards, proper education and sound technology require financial means for their attainment.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The record of its performance indicates clearly that in those cases where the international community has shown steadfastness to defend the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and fully to implement its provisions, peace and justice was achieved. On the contrary, in those cases where unity of purpose had not been exhibited or the interests of nations or alliances had been placed above the universal principles and the rule of law, the problems remain and peace is elusive. The financial difficulties confronting the Organization pose severe constraints on its ever-increasing role in today’s world affairs. Every effort should be made to provide the Organization with the necessary means to perform its vital mission effectively.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In today’s post-cold-war era the Security Council is in a position to play a broader and much more important role than ever before. In a world where new challenges require urgent solutions, such a development is welcome. Within the context of the reinforced and expanded role, a successful outcome of the deliberations on the review of the Council’s membership to reflect the realities of today’s world is highly appreciated. However, the effectiveness of the most powerful organ of the United Nations is seriously compromised if it applies double standards. It must act in every case with determination and consistency.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“These expectations can only be met by making the United Nations more effective through the implementation of its own resolutions and the mandatory provisions of the Charter. The General Assembly, the most prominent global democratic forum, represents the full membership of the United Nations. It functions on the principle of sovereign equality. As such, it has played a major role towards the realization of the objectives of the world community and must continue to do so in accordance with its mandate under the Charter. Given today’s political realities, however, the Security Council has a substantially enlarged agenda and a more dynamic role to perform. In accordance with the Charter, that organ has the ability to decide and to act. Nowadays it is able to act more effectively in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In order to accomplish such goals on a universal scale our Organization has to adapt, expeditiously and effectively, to the changing conditions and to the new challenges. Better coordination between the various bodies that form the United Nations system is urgently required. The Secretary-General’s recent decision to boost the coordinating role of the United Nations Development Programme on all developmental issues is a commendable step in the right direction. We are constantly witnessing world calamities. Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia are dire and gory examples. Our common goal should be to strengthen the United Nations in order best to respond to today’s challenges and the increased expectations of mankind for security, economic viability and democracy.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Ethnic conflicts, nationalistic chauvinism, ethnic cleansing, xenophobia, racial discrimination, expansionist opportunism, social and economic disparities, underdevelopment, the waste of scarce resources on fraternal enmities, the lack of necessary commitment for the protection of the environment and gross and massive violations of human rights are only some of the evils still afflicting humanity today. Among our priorities therefore should be the unequivocal reversal of the results of aggression and foreign occupation, support and defence of democracy, the inversion of social and economic inequalities, the protection of our environment and, finally, the protection and enhancement of human rights for all.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“I should like to extend to you, Sir, my warmest felicitations on your well-deserved election to the high office of the presidency of the General Assembly. This is not only a mere recognition of your long experience and your outstanding ability and diplomatic skill but also a reflection of the esteem in which your country, Côte d’Ivoire, is held in the United Nations. I should also like to express our great appreciation and admiration for the work of the Secretary-General and for the determined and prudent leadership which he has demonstrated on vital international issues. Despite important positive developments on a great number of issues occupying the attention and energy of our Organization, a significant number of old problems remain unresolved.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“At the same time, the ominous phenomena of ethnic strife, destructive nationalism, widespread poverty and social injustice are undermining the vital role of the United Nations in opposing aggression and maintaining international peace, and are thus posing new challenges. As the Organization is restructuring itself in order to meet these challenges more effectively, it is clear that, by and large, the Charter has stood the test of time. As we approach the milestone of the fiftieth anniversary of the Organization, let us agree to spare no effort to make it more effective, and let us look upon the Charter not merely as a code of international behaviour that is difficult to live up to and comply with, but as a reasonable and practical model for everyday international behaviour and political ethics.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In 1945, the founding fathers signed the Charter in San Francisco, in the aftermath of a devastating war, with the vision of establishing the foundations of a better and more peaceful world. As it nears its fiftieth anniversary, a watershed in its history, the United Nations is again facing a major challenge in a rapidly changing international climate. Peoples and nations all over the world place growing expectations in the Organization’s response to the new summons for a universal alliance for peace and justice, for Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 5 democracy, development and international legal order.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In our view, the problem is solvable and must be solved, yet the efforts of many years have come to no result owing to Turkish intransigence backed by Turkish military might. We remain committed to reaching a peaceful solution on the basis of the United Nations resolutions and the high- level agreements. As clearly emerges from successive reports of the Secretary-General, we have cooperated with him in all sincerity in the exercise of his good offices for an overall solution, and we have responded positively to his proposals for the adoption, as a first step, of the confidence- building measures and in particular the placing of Famagusta and the opening of the Nicosia airport under United Nations administration.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“More concretely, there has been the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the historic reunification of Germany; major progress towards ending the odious practice of apartheid in South Africa has been achieved; and, as recently as last month, the historic accord between Israel and the PLO was signed at the White House, marking a new era in the Middle East. All three situations had appeared to present the insurmountable problems of unending and seemingly irreconcilable conflicts. And yet, with vision and imagination, the political will for solutions was found. In contrast, the problem with which my own country has been confronted for too long has remained intractable, despite the existence of unanimously adopted United Nations resolutions and despite the mutually acceptable procedure of the good offices of the United Nations Secretary-General.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As he rightly points out: "The United Nations, by undertaking a range of problems as wide as the globe itself, must be expected to achieve successes but also to experience failure." (A/48/1, para. 512) While in the past few years the world has witnessed the creation of new areas of tension and conflict through the unleashing of destructive and centrifugal forces of excessive nationalism and ethnic strife, there have also been some notable successes through the solution of several regional issues and the withdrawal of foreign forces following the end of cold-war antagonism. We have witnessed in many parts of the world the triumph of democracy and the emergence of free-market economies.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Cyprus is indeed a test-case, not, however, with regard to peace-keeping, but with regard to the effectiveness of the United Nations in peacemaking. If I set out at some length our views on "An Agenda for Peace", I did so not only because it is very important, but also because Cyprus is itself a case-study of most of the problems it raises. I shall refrain from commenting on the long litany listed in this year’s report of international problems in which the Organization is actively engaged and which extend to all five continents. Each presents its own complications and special characteristics. They provide a measure of the enormous expectations placed upon the United Nations, the awesome burden of the Secretary- General’s responsibilities, and the respect and admiration he deserves in carrying out these responsibilities.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“This is, obviously, an unsatisfactory situation - unsatisfactory to the Government and the country directly concerned; unsatisfactory to the countries contributing to the cost of the peace-keeping operation; and of course, unsatisfactory to the United Nations. I submit that the answer lies not in abandoning the peace-keeping effort and thereby abdicating responsibility, leaving the weak at the mercy of the strong and striking a blow against longstanding efforts to solve the problem, but in pressing on with effective peacemaking through the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions by all available means, so as to reach a solution consistent with the Charter and the United Nations resolutions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The broader lesson to be drawn from the experience of United Nations involvement in peace-keeping and peacemaking in Cyprus is that, so long as one of the parties concerned is not willing to comply with the dictates of the international community as spelt out in unanimously adopted and binding resolutions of the Security Council; and so long as the members of the international community, and more particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, are not willing or able to act effectively in order to implement resolutions for which they voted, peacemaking will lag behind peace- keeping, resulting in the indefinite perpetuation of the problem and of the peace-keeping operation concerned.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“With regard to peace-keeping, it has been said - not without justification - that the United Nations should avoid open-ended involvement in peace-keeping operations. Cyprus has been pointed out as an example of over-long United Nations peace-keeping involvement.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We have had occasion in the past to express our support for the constructive suggestions of the Secretary-General for improving the potential of United Nations peace-keeping operations in today’s increasing demand for them, including the training of personnel, the strengthening of the Department of Peace-keeping Operations and the earmarking of appropriate equipment and personnel for use by the United Nations. We are encouraged that progress has been made in all these areas and in the setting up of a peace-keeping Reserve Fund, but, in view of the ever-increasing demands and the worsening of financial problems associated with these operations, complacency is not justified and we should all continue to do our best to 4 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session assist in discharging this major responsibility thrust on our Organization.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I wish to express appreciation for the support extended to Cyprus by the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and the Security Council. We consider a good omen of further determined action the declaration of the Secretary-General in his most recent report to the Security Council on Cyprus, and the Council’s positive response to it, that unless progress is made on the Cyprus problem he will request the Security Council to consider alternative ways of securing compliance with the many resolutions of the United Nations on Cyprus.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In reality, the intransigence of the Turkish side, which has rendered every effort to find a solution impossible, accounts for the hesitation of the Security Council to adopt measures for compliance with its resolutions. If a viable and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem is to be arrived at without further delay and a federally united State is to be established without occupation troops and settlers, concerted action is required by the international community as a whole. It is not only in the solution of the Cyprus problem that Turkey shows intransigence. The Turkish intransigence extends to purely humanitarian issues, such as cooperation in ascertaining the fate of missing persons and in implementing the third Vienna agreement regarding persons enclaved in occupied areas.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“All these flagrant violations of human rights have been committed by Turkey, a Member of the United Nations, despite General Assembly and Security Council resolutions calling on all United Nations Members to respect the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic, avoid any actions which could change the demographic composition of the population of Cyprus, withdraw all foreign forces from the territory of the Republic and allow the return of the refugees to their homes under conditions of safety. Cyprus is a case in point of the complete defiance of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions by one of its members.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We are especially sensitive on this subject, since one large component of the Cyprus problem in its present dimensions is the massive violation of the human rights of the displaced persons who have been evicted by force from their homes by the Turkish forces of occupation. Their homes and properties have been usurped by illegal settlers imported from Turkey to Cyprus in an effort by the aggressor to change the demographic composition of the population of Cyprus.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The world community must clearly oppose chauvinistic nationalism, take a clear-cut stand against policies of "ethnic cleansing" and unequivocally continue making all efforts until we achieve the complete dismantlement of the unjust and inhumane social systems based on ethnic political segregation and the development and consolidation of a non-racial, democratic South Africa. The effective promotion of human rights cannot be separated from the global trend towards democratization. Cyprus is in the forefront of States that have become party to treaties for the protection of human rights, both at the global level, within the United Nations, and at the regional level, primarily through the Council of Europe.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Democracy and human rights are two of the United Nations Charter’s most cherished principles, and they have always figured prominently in United Nations conferences. Democracy is the only system of government that can safeguard the liberty of the people, respect for human rights and quality of life. We have a duty to remain vigilant and continue to look for ways in which these new opportunities presented by world developments may be used for the promotion of international peace, the advancement of the rule of law and the protection of human rights.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Voluntary contributions are also to be encouraged in order to carry out the tasks at hand, and I might recall that Cyprus, besides endeavouring to play its Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 3 modest role in as many such cases as its means allow, has also undertaken to make, on a continuous basis, a major contribution towards the financing of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Past and recent experience in every region of the world has demonstrated that the protection and promotion of human rights is an indispensable ingredient of a stable world order. Over the years the United Nations has played its full part in affirming human equality, which is, indeed, the heart of all rights, and in building bridges across the divides of race, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic disparities and political philosophies.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Secretary-General has already done much in the direction of rationalizing and streamlining the Secretariat, as well as in putting in place effective machinery for inspections and investigations whenever necessary, and he certainly has our support in the additional measures needed to carry out this Herculean task. We join in recognizing the undoubted need for an adequate financial basis for the Organization and for assessed contributions to be paid early and in full by Member States, in terms of both the regular budget and the costs of peace-keeping.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The International Court of Justice is indeed an integral part of United Nations peace efforts and we support the Secretary-General’s proposal that he be authorized to seek advisory opinions from the Court as an important component of the United Nations peacemaking apparatus as a whole. The Secretariat’s role in an improved and more effective United Nations is indisputable, and we pay tribute to the many men and women in the international civil service whose competence and dedication enable the Organization to respond to the ever-increasing demands made of it in today’s world conditions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We look forward to receiving later in this session the Secretary-General’s integrated approach to development issues in his forthcoming agenda for development, which will no doubt appropriately complement his groundbreaking "An Agenda for Peace" in matters of peace and security. In the light of our overall philosophy, as I indicated earlier, we attach much importance to the effective functioning of the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice. The increase of its jurisdiction in contentious cases is encouraging, and we also attach importance to the possibility of clarifying legal points in political disputes through advisory opinions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I wish to point out with emphasis that gaps in international law and practice - failure to uphold international law and human rights, or upholding them in one situation and closing our eyes to their violation in others - must no longer be acceptable behaviour, particularly in the new world order to which we all aspire. In today’s world, where economics plays an increasingly important role, the United Nations, through the Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme and the various specialized agencies, carries out multi-purpose activities for the betterment and economic well-being of people throughout the world. These activities are outlined in the Secretary-General’s report, and in the interest of saving time I do not intend to comment on them other than to declare that we fully recognize their importance and support them.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“However, the effectiveness of the Security Council, the highest organ of the United Nations, can be achieved only if it applies the practice of acting with determination. Experience has demonstrated that in those cases where the international community has shown determination to uphold the principles of international instruments and fully apply their provisions, progress can be made. In those cases where unity of purpose has not been shown or interests of nations have been placed above universal principles and rule of law, the problems remain, and peace is elusive.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“These expectations can be met only by making the United Nations more effective, through the implementation of its own resolutions and the mandatory provisions of the Charter. The General Assembly, based on the principle of sovereign equality, has much to offer and must continue to play its important role under the Charter. Nowadays, however, the Security Council has a substantially enlarged agenda. As the Charter envisages, it is able to decide and act. At present it is able to act in a more effective manner in the crucial areas of international peace and security. It is evident that the Security Council can now play a much more important role than ever before. This is a welcome development, and within the context of this expanded role a review of its membership to reflect the realities of today’s world is highly appropriate.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“World developments indicate, and clearly demonstrate, that unless the international community adopts a more unified approach in its understanding of the challenges it faces and promotes the necessary solutions, human rights abuses, increasing insecurity and hunger and suffering will create an explosive situation that will spare no one; we are, though, gradually becoming aware of the complexity and scope that even minor issues acquire in an interdependent world. The world is full of challenges and opportunities. Our common responsibility is to strengthen the world Organization in order best to respond to these challenges and increase mankind’s expectations of peace, prosperity and democracy.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Some years ago, in the context of the East-West divide and the continuing build-up of nuclear arsenals, we were agonizing in international forums over the future of our civilization. The cold war is finally over, opening up new prospects for positive change in international policies. New prospects are also opening up for concerted action and a global approach to the problems we face. In some parts of the world, the old regimes have collapsed and a move to pluralistic societies and the free market economy is being made. However, the newly acquired freedom has revived old enmities. This is not a strange phenomenon because, as the eminent, late Prime Minister of India, Mr. Nehru, said, the walk to freedom is not an easy one.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Frankly, I have to admit that we followed this approach in our foreign policy both as a matter of principle and as a matter of self-interest. We have always believed that the United Nations was mankind’s best hope for a system of international order, despite the fact that we were aware of the possibilities of non-adherence to it and of the limitations to the effectiveness of the world Organization resulting from the existence of military blocs. Our self-interest as a small and militarily weak country made us feel the need for the protection of the world Organization, and, as a developing country, we stood to benefit from multilateral technical assistance and know-how. The Secretary-General’s excellent report testifies to the fact that, in today’s post-cold-war era, the United Nations is at a crossroads.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for the determined leadership that he has demonstrated on vital international issues and for his excellent report on the work of the Organization, which provides much food for thought and indicates various areas of important activities that are the object of soul-searching consideration in this debate. May I remind Members that, from the beginning of its existence as an independent State after many years of colonial rule until its admission to the United Nations in 1960, Cyprus has consciously made the principles of the United Nations Charter central to its foreign policy, and, within its limited possibilities, has endeavoured in every possible way to be supportive of the Organization.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on your election as President of the General Assembly. This is not merely a recognition of your long experience and your outstanding ability and diplomatic skill, but also a reflection of the esteem in which your country, Guyana, is held in the United Nations. We are certain that, under your able guidance, the work of this session of the General Assembly will be a landmark in the new international scene and in facing the new challenges for peace, democracy and progress. I should like also to pay a warm tribute to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)