YouSaid · the spoken record

Jan Kavan

lines on the record: 76
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 2001-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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

“Through our active involvement in the Common Foreign and Security Policy, we are assuming our share of responsibility for development in Europe and the world, obviously, to date, within the restrictive framework of our status as an associated country. We attach major importance to the social and environmental dimensions of European integration. We are fully aware that the importance of these dimensions will continue to increase in order to keep up with the advancement of globalization. The disintegration of the bipolar world has brought about a transition from confrontation to cooperation given rise to efforts to create a new security architecture, and led to integration processes, particularly on the European continent. However, it has also brought about the resurgence of dormant threats and the emergence of new centres of instability.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“And, of course, the concept of regional security in Europe cannot be imagined without NATO’s cooperating also with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Western European Union or the Council of Europe. Because development in Europe is profoundly influenced by ever-deeper integration, the successful completion of the long-term process of our country’s entry into the European Union is currently the highest- priority goal for Czech foreign policy. Having started accession talks in the spring of last year, the Czech Republic is promoting political dialogue with the European Union member States and associated countries.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“NATO’s new strategic concept emphasizes its broad approach to security issues; it envisages the necessity of not only facing military risks but also of monitoring economic, social, environmental and political issues that may disrupt security and stability. NATO has demonstrated that it has both the functional mechanisms for crisis management and the capacities to manage humanitarian crises. However, there is an obvious need for the Alliance’s potential to be fully utilized by an effective cooperation with the United Nations, which has the ability to oversee the restoration of civil administration and infrastructure. It is this close cooperation that underlines the fact that our commitment to peace is as strong as our will to challenge gross violations of human rights by military means.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This year marks an important milestone for the Czech Republic, which this past spring became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), together with Hungary and Poland. Recalling Article 1 of the Washington Treaty, which refers to the United Nations Charter and commits its members to address international conflicts by peaceful means, we believe that this historic first enlargement of the Alliance following the end of the cold war will contribute to the enhancement of stability and security, and do so not only in our region. We support NATO’s continued enlargement through the inclusion of other countries, and we are convinced that this first step will also have a motivating and mobilizing character for them.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“By way of introduction, let me congratulate you, Sir, on your election as President of the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly and wish you every success in the execution of your important functions. I would like to use this opportunity also to express thanks to your predecessor, Mr. Didier Opertti of Uruguay, for his responsible work and for the efforts he has devoted to United Nations activities throughout the year. The Czech Republic is very pleased that after five years the Assembly again has an opportunity to welcome new United Nations Members — Nauru, Kiribati and Tonga. This further expansion of the United Nations family is evidence of its increasingly universal nature, which the Czech Republic unequivocally supports.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“I think we can all agree that from this process the United Nations, a truly remarkable Organization, will emerge consolidated, strengthened and more capable than ever of solving the problems of the contemporary world — an Organization open to all who are willing to contribute to the fulfilment of this important task.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We look with expectations to the proposed Millennium Assembly to be held in the year 2000, inspired, among others, by Czech President Václav Havel. The Millennium Summit held within its framework could then focus on the challenges the United Nations will be facing in the next millennium and identify major trends and objectives of future United Nations activities. In addition, an important role could be played by a related non-governmental “Millennium Forum”. The Czech Republic?s special contribution to such a debate can be “FORUM 2000”, a conference taking place in Prague next month aimed at highlighting global problems that humankind faces at the threshold of the twenty-first century. In conclusion, allow me to express my sincere belief in the eventual success of the United Nations reform process.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The new Government of the Czech Republic has promised in its Programme Statement wide support for the strengthening of United Nations authority. We have welcomed the results so far achieved in implementing the Secretary-General?s plan for United Nations reform. Much of the reform package, however, remains unresolved, and a number of proposals have not left the negotiating table. The Czech Republic supports speedy approval and implementation of the remaining reform proposals. 31 However, even the best blueprints do not count for much without money to implement them. Like others, I want to stress that the financial situation of the Organization is alarming, and I would like to underline that discipline with regard to contributing is a must for all.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The challenge for the Council, stemming from globalization of economic and other links, was enormous. On the other hand, the actual possibilities of this body to tackle substantial issues were rather limited. But now we are pleased to see it undergoing some promising changes. The Czech Republic appreciates the attention paid by the United Nations to the critical issue of globalization and its impact on economic and social development in the different countries of the world. For many, like my country, whose economies are undergoing a fundamental transformation, the consequences of globalization are doubly difficult to handle. That is why we would like the United Nations to have a clear agenda on globalization, and we are encouraged by the lead provided by the Secretary-General.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The adoption of the Court?s Statute is a clear breakthrough in the area of humanitarian law and human rights protection. We are aware that this is only an initial stage of the long process leading to a functioning Court, but the step taken in Rome was crucial. I would like to express our gratitude to the Government of Italy for its substantial contribution to the success of the Conference. Cooperation in the social, economic and humanitarian areas should undoubtedly be, in addition to building peace and security, major preoccupations of the United Nations. Over the last few years there have been strong discussions on the Economic and Social Council and its function. The Czech Republic was actively involved during its Council presidency in 1997.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The record of these 50 years is no doubt impressive, but there is still a long way to go to achieve the desired universal acceptance and indivisibility of human rights. This sad situation can be illustrated by the fact that there are still countries governed by totalitarian regimes where people are punished for such absurd “crimes” as distributing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or for refusing to explain where they obtained such a “subversive document”. However, it has to be admitted that economic sanctions or embargoes do not seem to be effective means of persuading a country to promote human rights. The successful conclusion of the Diplomatic Conference in Rome last July, which resulted in the shaping of the International Criminal Court, fills us with hope.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Unfortunately, the same applies to the question of improving and simplifying the methods of the Council?s work, on which consensus seemed to be near a year ago. It is our view that the Working Group should continue its work with the aim of achieving general agreement, to the extent possible, until the end of the millennium. We hope that talks will eventually produce concrete results that could be put on the agenda of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly within the Millennium Assembly concept. The new Government of the Czech Republic attaches great importance to the issue of human rights. This December we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document substantially influencing the international community and international relations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“While preparing for the ratification of the Ottawa Convention, we have a clear view of its domestic implementation. It is the Security Council that continues to have the decisive word in questions of peace and security. The Czech Republic considers itself among the reform-minded countries, supporting the Council?s enlargement, in both categories of membership, which guarantees equitable geographic representation. To be more specific, we continue supporting the aspirations of the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan in this respect. It is rather disappointing that after five years of the Working Group?s dealing with this issue concrete results have not been achieved. On the contrary, it seems that Member States are even further apart on the issue.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The Czech Republic appreciates the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the area of chemical disarmament. We are prepared to continue contributing to the work of the Organization and to strictly implement all its commitments arising out of 30 the respective Convention. At the same time, we support all efforts meant to speed up the negotiation of the verification protocol text, which is to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC); we regard the protocol as an important mechanism controlling implementation of the Convention. The signing of the Ottawa Convention on the complete ban on anti-personnel landmines by about 100 Member States, including the Czech Republic, has been a great success. Now early entry into force has been ensured. Implementation, however, will be an even bigger task for all.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Let me point out the increasing number of attacks against the personnel participating in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, and join the call for strict punishment of the perpetrators of these shameful acts. We support nuclear disarmament and we look forward to the complete elimination of nuclear arsenals. This is why we regard the nuclear tests carried out in May 1998 by countries considered non-nuclear-weapon States as clearly negative steps. Universal compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is a logical step on the way towards nuclear disarmament, as is speedy enactment of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). On the other hand, the progress made in the Geneva Conference on Disarmament towards a fissile material cut-off treaty is encouraging.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“This task is high on the agenda of many, and we believe the United Nations, as the global platform, should assert its responsibilities. We endorse all initiatives aimed at cutting terrorists off from any support and resources, isolating them and strictly punishing them. Being a small country, the Czech Republic is naturally interested in all international efforts aimed at prevention and resolution of armed conflicts. We support United Nations peacekeeping operations and all efforts to make them more effective. I would like to reiterate that my country is committed to contributing further to United Nations peacekeeping operations, refining its own forces to meet the new requirements.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Positive developments we can now observe include an improving situation in Sierra Leone, which is a source of our optimism on the issue of Africa. We are ready to assist the various processes at work in Africa, including the dispatching of observers to respective United Nations peacekeeping operations, and in the development of cooperation. Recent problems in Asia have already been mentioned. Here we are concerned not only with the continuing regional economic and financial crisis and the nuclear tests, but also with enormous natural disasters taking thousands of lives and causing enormous material and environmental damage. The scourge of international terrorism must be countered vigorously, and in cooperation among all of us, as President Clinton eloquently appealed for at this forum two days ago.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In our view, a positive future for this region can only be secured by successfully completing the peace process, and we believe the process can soon be revitalized. The Czech Republic also supports the endeavour of the international community to solve the problem of Cyprus. The current status quo is unacceptable. We hope that Cyprus will be united as a federation in accordance with the appropriate United Nations resolutions. We are deeply concerned to see the deterioration of security and the humanitarian situation in a number of African countries, including in the region of the Great Lakes, in Sudan and elsewhere. We fully support the efforts of the United Nations and its work with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to settle conflicts and stop the human suffering in Africa.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“That is why the Czech Republic continues to participate in the international Stabilization Force (SFOR) spending national resources both on its military contingent in SFOR and on the reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo due to the ongoing conflict has to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Belgrade must be strongly reminded that it has crossed the limits of what is tolerable and legitimate. We welcome the adoption of Security Council resolution 1199 (1998), adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter just a few hours ago. In our view, this resolution usefully foreshadows the necessary steps for the international community. The Czech Republic has traditionally paid great attention to the Middle East peace process, and we are concerned to see that little progress has been made.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“One of the most complicated European security problems is managing the consequences of the division of the former Yugoslavia and, in particular, the restoration of a self- sustained peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a settlement of the situation in Kosovo in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. We fully endorse the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and believe no better solution is available. The military objectives of the Peace Agreement have practically been met — that is undeniably one of the great successes of the implementation of Dayton. Further progress on the civilian side, however, continues to depend on a substantial international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has to be maintained until the desirable end-state is achieved.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Preparing for the next round of enlargement of the European Union, an integration which is unique in the world, is a task for all Europeans. By opening up membership to Central and East European countries last year in Luxembourg, the Union has finally overcome the heritage of a divided continent. We hope the enlargement process will maintain the present momentum and that it will not be hampered by criteria other than the readiness of each candidate country. 29 Europe has been a contributor to global security. However, it still has to put its own house in order.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The integration of these countries, we believe, will justify the enlargement of NATO and its contribution to European security. We are keenly aware of our shared responsibility in this matter. We expect NATO?s door to remain open for other countries to join when they are ready. The Alliance?s present role is not limited to safeguarding the vital interests of its members by means of collective defence. Over time it has made a contribution to global and pan- European security. We are sure that, in close collaboration with other European security institutions — such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Western European Union and the Council of Europe — NATO will be able to lay foundations for a future all-European security.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“And it must exploit the political will necessary to implement programmes once they are put in place. A country?s international reputation is largely dependent on its domestic health. In my country, this year?s parliamentary elections resulted in a change of Government. I wish to stress that the top foreign policy priorities of the Czech Republic — joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union — stem from our desire to actively contribute to the implementation of the vision of a united, democratic, peaceful, socially just and prosperous Europe; a Europe without tensions or conflicts; a Europe of free citizens and cooperating regions based on mutual solidarity, human rights and cooperative security. The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary are expected to join the Alliance in 1999.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The environment continues to be devastated by many aspects of humankind?s activity, global warming being one of the particularly ominous effects. And the gap between the rich and the poor is still widening despite many efforts to challenge hunger and poverty in the developing world. To address and solve these and other problems, international cooperation is essential. The traditional platform, the United Nations, remains the most suitable for organizing the global efforts and resources needed for this task. These issues are a tremendous challenge to the United Nations, and so it is essential that the capabilities of the United Nations be fully exploited. The Organization must respond to them with flexibility. It must provide realistic plans and procedures for dealing with problems as they arise.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Recent nuclear tests conducted by States not parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) have jeopardized the progress made in arms control and non-proliferation since the end of the cold war, progress which is vital if global peace is to be achieved. We have not yet been able to end wars in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world — including Europe, and most notably in the former Yugoslavia, where the conflict in Kosovo remains unresolved. Terrorism continues to threaten individuals and Governments. The attacks in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam are recent examples of the death and destruction terrorists continue to inflict on innocent people. Fundamental human rights and freedoms are still being violated and the human dignity of individuals is still being humiliated in many countries on all continents.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“May I first congratulate the President on his election to the presidency of the fifty- third session of the General Assembly and wish him every success in this important position. I would also like to thank his predecessor, Mr. Hennadiy Udovenko, and praise him for the tireless energy he devoted to pushing through reform steps in the Organization. The Assembly is meeting at a time when the world is troubled by many major problems. Let me mention seven which I regard as crucial. The collapse of stock markets around the world, triggered by the Asian and Russian crises, shows how vulnerable national economies are in our increasingly globalized economy.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)