YouSaid · the spoken record

ELLEMANN-JENSEN

lines on the record: 259
first: 1983-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 8
sources: un-general-debate

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“Much however, still remains to be done. The development organizations of the United Nations should play an important role in this respect by integrating the needs of disabled persons more strategically in the regular programming of their activities. Let me end by stating the obvious: we all wish the United Nations success in the reform process and in carrying out its many tasks. But that wish must be accompanied by a willingness to live up to our legal obligation to pay our contributions to the Organization and to do so in full and on time.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Implementation of Agenda 21 and the conventions requires financial resources and thus calls for partnership and real burden-sharing among nations, not only between North and South but also among the donor countries themselves. From the very beginning, the Danish Government has been committed to the process of the United Nations Conference and Environment and Development. We are prepared to provide our fair share of the necessary resources, and would like to see similar firm commitments from as many countries as possible. At this session we are marking the end of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. The disabled remain among the most vulnerable groups, in particular in the developing countries. During the Decade awareness of the problems and difficulties facing disabled persons all over the world has been increased.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The results the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development recently achieved in Rio provide a good basis for a new global partnership based on common responsibility for the Earth, even if it did not meet all our expectations. The Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 and the Conventions on climate change and biodiversity are far from being the end result: they are instruments to mobilize governments and peoples from all over the world in a joint effort towards sustainable development in the future. The most significant institutional recommendation of the Conference to be followed up at the international level is the high-level Commission on Sustainable Development. It is important that the Commission's scope of work be oriented towards the future in order to ensure a dynamic approach to future technological and economic developments.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Danish Government looks forward with great interest and high hopes to that Year, and plans are well under way both in Greenland and in Denmark on how to work actively towards increasing the understanding of the special situation facing these peoples and how to further the respect for the cultures and rights of indigenous peoples. It is well known that the Inuit, the inhabitants of Greenland, have chosen the status of home rule within the Danish realm, and at the domestic level we will cooperate closely with the representatives of the home-rule Government of Greenland in our preparations for the Year.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Excessive military spending not only reduces funds available for other purposes, but can also contribute to increased regional tensions and violations of international law, and can in some cases compromise moves towards democracy and the rule of law at the domestic level. Denmark stands ready, through its programme for development assistance, to provide substantial support for specific activities aimed at consolidating human rights, democracy and good governance, and we shall seek our future partners in development from amongst countries which are making a genuine effort in this regard. Next year has also been designated the International Year of the World's Indigenous People.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Democracy, respect for human rights, equal status for men and women and principles of good governance play an essential role in development efforts. This has been increasingly recognized in recent years, and reflected both in the wide-ranging reforms undertaken in a number of countries and in the continued policy dialogue aimed at supporting development efforts. At the same time, the process towards broadening public participation in the decision-making processes is bound to continue. The Danish Government will seek to assist countries undertaking policy reforms in establishing administrative and political structures which are conducive to development for instance, by setting up new democratic institutions and by strengthening the rule of law. Equally we attach great importance to the question of military spending.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Obstacles to further progress will be identified, and specific measures which can assist individual countries in their efforts to promote respect for human rights will be outlined. The Danish Government is committed to ensuring a successful outcome to the Conference, and will work for a balanced result containing both political benchmarks and operational guidelines for corresponding implementation activities. In this regard, special attention should be paid to the interlinkages between democracy, human rights and development and to the need for a concentrated assistance effort in this area, based on the principle that violations of human rights are a legitimate concern of the international community.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The public criticism which has been raised in many countries, including in Denmark, of the response of the United Nations system to the large-scale tragedy in Somalia is an example which makes it clear that this year the General Assembly must give increased and renewed attention to the issue of improved performance by the United Nations. A determined effort must now be made to ensure that sufficient humanitarian assistance is given in time, with maximum speed, and in a well coordinated manner. We appeal in particular to the organizations of the United Nations family to try harder to cooperate, act jointly and compete less. The World Conference on Human Rights, scheduled to take place in June next year, will provide an opportunity to review progress made in the field of human rights since the adoption of the Universal Declaration.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“During the last few years, we have seen a succession of natural and man-made disasters of unprecedented frequency, scope and complexity. After the extraordinary events of last year, we all hoped to see a reversal of this trend in 1992. Unfortunately, such hopes have not been fulfilled. The adoption of resolution 46/182 on emergency assistance at last year's session was seen as a major step forward in the direction of improved coordination within the United Nations system and increased efficiency in the delivery of humanitarian emergency assistance. It was an important step. However, much more needs to be done to translate the aims of that resolution into reality.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Progress in the discussions of reforms of the United Nations operational activities was made at the recent session of the Economic and Social Council. It is our hope that at this year's session the General Assembly will bring the process forward from the level of discussing principles to that of concrete action. The proposals contained in the Nordic United Nations project would, in our view, enable the United Nations to regain its rightful leading role in operational development activities. Only through substantial changes in the governance and financing of United Nations funds and programmes will it be possible to ensure a more effective and efficient role for the United Nations in this field, to the benefit of developing nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“At the same time, discussions of fundamental reforms of the United Nations system as such have entered an important stage which gives an excellent opportunity for a comprehensive discussion of the demands of the emerging new world order as they relate to the. structure and functioning of the United Nations and its Secretariat. At the centre of the reform discussions is the need for a clearer definition of the role of the United Nations system in development activities, including better distribution of work and improved coordination among the various organizations. The United Nations must also show leadership in this field and carry out its own operational activities in a consistent and coherent manner.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We intend to propose Copenhagen as venue for the world social summit, thereby confirming Denmark's commitment to social development and our wish to make the summit an important event in the mobilization of all efforts to attain the ultimate objective to improve the quality of life of man. This year, the General Assembly will undertake a review of the operational activities of the United Nations system. It will give us an opportunity to assess the functioning of the development activities of the United Nations system during the past three years, and establish new guidelines and priorities for the coming three years.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We must now face our responsibility to improve living conditions for the more than one billion people living in absolute poverty, and for the even larger number of people suffering under unemployment and social insecurity. If we do not, problems will multiply and put global stability at risk. The solutions to those problems must be based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and political institutions that are effective, accountable and enjoy democratic legitimacy. It is time to face, discuss and tackle these interlinking aspects of social development. Denmark welcomes the proposal adopted by the Economic and Social Council to convene in 1995 a world summit for social development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In fulfilling its mandate as the guardian of peace, the United Nations has an important role to play by contributing to social and economic development and the eradication of poverty. The significant role that the United Nations has acquired in efforts to solve political conflicts should not overshadow its responsibilities in the economic and social field. As pointed out by the Secretary-General, no lasting peace can be achieved while the existing gap between rich and poor nations persists. The improved international political climate, the breakup of the old power blocs and the reductions in military expenditures offer a unique opportunity to promote social development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Since the United Nations is already heavily overburdened, we welcome the Secretary-General's call upon European regional organizations to carry out peace-keeping functions in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter, as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite the substantial Danish contribution to the United Nations Protection Force, we remain committed to further contributions to United Nations peace-keeping operations, both in Europe and in other parts of the world. Let me add, however, that a peace-keeping operation must be seen as an interim offer to the parties to a conflict, and thus must be limited to a few years. A peace-keeping operation must never, by the mere length of its existence, turn out to be an excuse for the parties not to seek a negotiated settlement of their dispute.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Secretary-General's report entitled "An Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277) contains a number of interesting proposals, some of which Denmark can support wholeheartedly: for example, the proposal to make wider use of good offices, the proposal to establish a reserve fund for peace-keeping operations and the proposal to make wider use of the International Court of Justice. However, both the use of the good offices of the Secretary-General and the use of the International Court depend on the political will of the parties involved. The United Nations is facing steadily growing demands for peace-keeping efforts, and the scope of these efforts is increasing. Suffice it to mention Cambodia, Somalia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It has been appalling to witness the continuing disregard for humanitarian conventions shown by Iraq during the Gulf War, and, most recently, by parties to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. The perpetrators of these criminal acts are individually responsible, and must be prosecuted individually. In this connection I welcome the work of the International Law Commission on the question of establishing an international criminal tribunal. The Danish Government is ready to contribute constructively in these efforts during this and the coming session of the General Assembly.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“There seems to me to be growing support for the point of view that the principle of non-intervention in the internal jurisdiction of States cannot be taken as a shield behind which massive violations of human rights can be allowed to take place, especially not where the human rights situations have been characterized by the Security Council as a threat to peace. A new balance between sovereignty and international intervention is being struck, in favour of international intervention. My Government welcomes that development. We should insist on recognition of the basic principle that Governments have to cooperate fully to ensure access to all persons in need of assistance. Far too often political motives continue to prevent humanitarian assistance from entering a country or from reaching population groups in need of such assistance.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In no circumstances will the international community relax the United Nations sanctions imposed on the Baghdad regime unless it fully and unconditionally complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions. In my speech last autumn I pointed out how Security Council resolution 688 (1991) might become a turning point as to the balance between the principle of national sovereignty and that of humanitarian intervention. The question of humanitarian intervention has had a considerable impact on international debate during the last year. The course of events in Somalia, the former Yugoslavia and recently, anew, in Iraq has shown the relevance and importance of the concept.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In Iraq the Baghdad regime continues to ignore its obligations under international law by obstructing the work of United Nations inspection teams. The regime is continuing its flagrant violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular by victimizing Kurds and Arab Shiites living in the marshes. And Baghdad is actively impeding the efforts of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to relieve the plight of those suffering. The harassment of United Nations peace guards, the refusal to renew the Memorandum of Understanding and the rejection of the food-for-oil arrangements laid down in Security Council resolutions 706 (1991) and 712 (1991) are all cases in point. Saddam Hussein's strategy, however, is doomed to failure.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In the Middle East the parties involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian question have embarked on a negotiating process that gives grounds for hopes of a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement. Denmark, together with its European Community partners, fully supports, and remains committed to the peace process. The policy adopted by the new Israeli Government has given a new impetus to this process. The subsequent response of the Arab countries and the Palestinians bodes well for the future. I sincerely hope that all parties will now engage in substantive negotiations by building incrementally on the progress achieved so far. Pragmatism is what counts at the present stage. I therefore call on all parties to translate good intentions into concrete proposals and open-mindedness.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We encourage the international community to join in the efforts to redress the social and economic imbalances in South Africa, and to contribute to the creation of a non-racial and democratic South Africa. The tragedy in Somalia amply illustrates the need for a process of national reconciliation in that country leading to the re-establishment of a legitimate government. Following the visit to Mogadishu by the troika of European Community Foreign Ministers in early September, the European Community Foreign Ministers stressed this, as well as the particularly important role of the United Nations, in their declaration of 13 September.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“As a result, a number of United Nations peace observers have been deployed in violence-stricken areas. After a visit earlier this month by the Troika of European Community Foreign Ministers, the European Community has also decided to send peace observers to South Africa. In addition, European experts will support the work of the Goldstone Commission and other efforts to curb the violence in South Africa. At the end of the day, however, only the South Africans themselves can bring about the new, democratic South Africa that we are looking forward to. We stand ready to provide our fullest support. For more than 25 years, Denmark has granted humanitarian assistance to the victims of the apartheid system, and it is prepared to initiate a programme of transitional assistance to South Africa once an interim government is in place.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“There will be difficulties and backlashes ahead. As Prime Minister Major said at the London Conference, it will be a long haul. But nobody should doubt that Denmark, nationally as well as in its capacity as the next holder of the Presidency of the European Community, will devote all its strength to the international efforts aimed at obtaining a political, peaceful settlement in the former Yugoslavia. After a period of impressive progress, the reform process in South Africa came to an unfortunate standstill in the middle of this year because of new, tragic outbreaks of violence. The high level of violence remains one of the major obstacles to a resumption of negotiations. The Secretary-General took an important step by sending his Special Representative to South Africa.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The basic principles for a political solution will not change: the inviolability of the borders which can be changed only by mutual, peaceful agreement; the human rights and the rights of minorities must be respected; the sanctions against Serbia-Montenegro will be upheld until the acts of aggression have stopped; the so-called "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" is not the sole successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; humanitarian help to all in need shall be possible; persons who have committed crimes against international humanitarian law shall be prosecuted individually, if possible by an international court under the United Nations. The situation in the former Yugoslavia is still grave, but I think we have created the foundations for a possible improvement and eventual settlement.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Denmark wholeheartedly supports the efforts in Geneva under the co-chairmanship of Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen. Under the impact of all the combined international efforts - the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM), the Geneva talks we must not forget that the main responsibility for bringing an end to the cruelties and violence lies with the conflicting parties. All the peoples, groups and minorities and their leaders must realize that the only way their communities can flourish is through a negotiated, commonly accepted political settlement of their disputes. Diverging interests can coexist peacefully only through compromise.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Yugoslav crisis is a crisis in Europe, and Europe is willing and able to take its part of the international responsibility, but the United Nations as the international, global actor has its important role to play as well. The international Conference in London on the former Yugoslavia assembled all the main actors involved in the crisis and war in the region. The results were encouraging. The framework for the absolutely necessary political dialogue and for the negotiations was established, including the structure and the principles upon which any peaceful solution must be based. Developments in the first month after the London conference have shown that the conference was able not only to produce very good documents but also to establish the follow-up mechanism enabling us to turn words into deeds.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We have made very large resources available for monitoring, mediation and peace-keeping operations, as well as for humanitarian assistance. I welcome the enlarged role of the United Nations in the peace efforts in the area as well as the central role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the provision of relief, where coordination remains of paramount significance in ensuring that the relief work is carried out with maximum speed and efficiency. Denmark has worked closely with the High Commissioner in providing very substantial humanitarian assistance, both financially and otherwise. Lately we have accepted a more direct involvement in the provision of accommodation and shelter for refugees and displaced persons. We intend to continue our efforts.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“All the new States of the former Soviet Union, as well as Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and San Marino, have now joined the Organization. Let me take this opportunity to welcome all the new Member States and to express my hope for future fruitful cooperation in the spirit of the United Nations. The very deplorable developments in the former Yugoslavia have demonstrated how fragile the situation is in many parts of the world in the post-cold-war era and have led to the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. The international community has reacted with great responsibility to the intensified crisis in the former Yugoslavia and the overwhelming humanitarian needs it has caused.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Let me begin by congratulating the President upon his election to the presidency of the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I wish to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali. His able and efficient leadership of the United Nations since he took office only nine months ago has impressed us all and I wish to assure him of Denmark's full support of his continuing efforts to reform and streamline the Organization. During the past year the world Organization has become more nearly universal than ever. What in 1945 started out as an organization of 51 Member States has now become an organization consisting of 179 Members. This year 13 new States have joined the United Nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Only a few years ago, many were disillusioned as to whether the United Nations could play a genuine role in solving conflicts and maintaining peace. This has changed dramatically. The world community's confidence in the peace-keeping and peace-building activities of the Organization has grown significantly, and the number of United Nations operations has increased during the past few years. We have a great responsibility to use this year's General Assembly to consolidate the progress already achieved and to create a strong Organization that can fulfil the aspirations of mankind.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Though all countries share a common responsibility, the responsibility is also differentiated. Industrialised countries must make a special effort to clean our own house and to make sure that measures taken in developing countries support, rather than hamper, their development. One necessary condition for realising this aspiration is the full integration of environmental concerns into development strategies. Another is a substantial increase in financial flows to developing countries. At the meeting in Rio de Janeiro next June, we will make every effort to ensure that the Conference produces concrete, operational results with regard to legally binding conventions on climate and biodiversity and also regarding the processes being initiated by the adoption of "Agenda 21" and the "Earth Charter".”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We are willing to adapt the nature of this assistance and contribute directly to the establishment of post-apartheid society. Political and economic changes have been accompanied by a new commitment to protect our planet from environmental degradation and resource depletion. In deciding to convene the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and development, the United Nations demonstrated its determination to respond to these new challenges. We have the highest aspirations for the Conference. The objectives of the Conference and the related negotiations on climate change and biological diversity are shared by all. We have a strong self-interest in protecting the natural resources that will form the basis of future development. And we all share the desire to break the vicious circle of poverty and environmental degradation.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In this case it will be the challenge of bringing peace and democracy to a people who have suffered unimaginable tragedy for too long. In South Africa, progress towards a non-racial democracy has continued, in spite of difficulties. The legal foundation of apartheid has been scrapped and preparations made for real negotiations on a new constitution. The early convening of an all-party conference should be the next major step towards democracy. We trust that the United Nations will continue to play a constructive and active role in this historic transformation of South African society. This year the General Assembly has a special responsibility to maintain the unity among Member States in supporting the continuation of progress in South Africa. Denmark has for many years given assistance to victims of apartheid.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Denmark wholeheartedly supports efforts to achieve this repeal. With regard to Cambodia, we are particularly pleased with the decisive progress made in the last few days towards a comprehensive political settlement. We congratulate the five permanent members of the Security Council, the two Co-Chairmen of the Paris Conference - Prance and Indonesia - and the members of the Cambodia Supreme National Council, under the leadership of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, for the work they have done. If, as we confidently expect, the settlement documents are signed on 31 October, the largest United Nations peace-keeping operation of all time will follow. It will be another major test of the ability of the United Nations to respond to new challenges.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“And the United States-led peace initiative deserves our full support. We are convinced that with the necessary political will and courage, the parties concerned should be able to overcome the final difficulties concerning the modalities for the peace conference. It is my sincere hope that the parties will refrain from taking any step that might result in new obstacles to convening the peace conference and that they will implement confidence-building measures. In this respect, the G-7 proposal to suspend the Arab trade boycott of Israel in return for a freeze by Israel of its settlement policy warrants special attention. An additional confidence-building measure would be the repeal of the resolution equating Zionism with racism, a point of contention which for the past 16 years has strained the atmosphere regarding Middle East questions.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The situation of the Iraqi people - and not least the plight of the Kurds and the Shiites - continues to cause deep concern. The international community must insist that Iraq unambiguously adhere to Security Council resolution 688 (1991), attaching special importance to the call for a genuine dialogue with a view to securing basic rights for the entire Iraqi population. The question of whether to relax the sanctions against Iraq must be closely related to its fulfilment of all its obligations under Security Council resolutions 687 (1991) and 688 (1991). The outcome of the Gulf crisis created new opportunities for solving the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian question. All parties concerned should seize these opportunities to provide the basis for a just, lasting and comprehensive solution in the Middle East.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Let me cow turn briefly to some of the areas of serious conflict in the world. In Yugoslavia, the escalating violence has given cause for great concern. The European Economic Community will continue its mediating efforts through the peace conference in The Hague and the continued presence of its monitors in Yugoslavia. These efforts must be based on the principle of the people's right to self-determination and on the full protection of the rights of minorities. At this time, the Security Council is debating how the United Nations can best support the efforts of the European Economic Community. The current regime in Baghdad continues to provoke the international community by Ignoring Iraq's obligations under international law.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“I strongly support the following statement contained in the Secretary General's address in Bordeaux on 24 April this year: "We are clearly witnessing what is probably an irresistible shift in public attitudes towards the belief that the defence of the oppressed in the name of morality should prevail over frontiers and legal documents." Those were the right words at the right time. I believe that consideration is urgently needed on how the international community should assume its responsibility to take action in the face of massive violations of human rights that endanger the lives of large numbers of innocent people. In situations characterised by such conditions, "internal affairs" must be considered a concept of the past. I have dwelt at length on what I think are essential reforms of the United Nations system.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Such concern, and the ensuing activity, cannot be considered unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of States. It is a paradox of international law that, on one hand, a customary rule may have evolved, permitting a State to intervene outside its own territory through rescue missions vis-à-vis their own nationals if they are exposed to grave dangers, whereas, on the other hand, it is still not legitimate to use armed intervention to rescue thousands of innocent persons whose lives are in danger because of their own government's repressive policies. The deployment of allied units in northern Iraq, on the basis of Security Council resolution 688 (1991), should become a turning-point as regards the balance between the principle of sovereignty and that of humanitarian intervention.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The receiving countries and those who seek to protect refugees find it increasingly difficult to identify and assist the people who are in real need. This may eventually endanger the whole concept of the protection of refugees. If we wish to remove some of the main causes of future refugee flows the time has come to extend the notion of State responsibility to include responsibility to create tolerable conditions for one's own citizens and not to dump one's problems on other countries' doorsteps. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is one of the purposes of the United Nations. The violation of human rights in any part of the world is a legitimate concern of all States, the United Nations and the world public at large.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“However, these traditional solutions are still important when such flows occur, and I should like to acknowledge the efforts of many countries - not least the poorest - in shouldering such responsibilities. Although there are some recent successful examples of the third traditional solution - that of voluntary repatriation - the time has come to take a much closer look at the causes of refugee movements. It is a paradox that those countries, or regimes, whose actions are the root causes of refugee flows are not called upon to shoulder their proper share of the ensuing burden. The consequences of violations of the most fundamental human rights often give rise to further migration of a more general nature and, therefore, become even more serious.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In all too many cases political motives have prevented humanitarian assistance from being received by a country or from reaching population groups who are badly in need of help. Without a fundamental change in our attitude towards such obstacles we shall never be truly successful. It is my strong hope that, inspired by the United Nations operation in Iraq, we shall soon see further progress in recognition of the right of the United Nations to intervene for humanitarian purposes. Refugee flows, caused by turbulent changes around the world, constitute a large and growing problem. It is becoming more and more obvious that two of the so-called traditional solutions - local integration in neighbouring countries, and resettlement outside the region of origin - are coming increasingly under strain.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The United Nations operation in Iraq, set up to provide relief to refugees and internally displaced persons, should be seen as a milestone. The deployment of United Nations guards, aimed at providing security for the United Nations relief workers and property, took place against the background of strong concern about the fate of large groups of people, the fleeing Kurdish population in particular. It has greatly expanded our understanding of the capacity of the United Nations to assume a stronger role in the humanitarian area. From the outset, Denmark has strongly supported the United Nations operation in Iraq, which was initiated, with imagination and courage, by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. We are at present the largest single contributor of personnel to the United Nations guards.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“There has proved to be an urgent need for improved coordination and cooperation between organisations of the United Nations system, other humanitarian agencies and Member States. The situation in Iraq proved this point with alarming clarity. But improved coordination will not be possible without structural reform and new institutional procedures. We therefore strongly support the creation of a new high-level post, directly under the Secretary-General, with special responsibilities in the area of coordination. The position should be filled by a person with strong authority and personal standing in order to ensure both the necessary coordination and the maximum political backing for United Nations humanitarian operations in situations with conflicting political views and interests.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The enhanced status and powers of the United Nations in the area of the maintenance of peace and international security should go hand in hand with an increased humanitarian profile for the Organization. Developments - in particular, those of the past year - have clearly confirmed the need for a much stronger role for the United Nations in the area of humanitarian assistance and relief operations in emergencies. The frequency, extent and complexity of recent disasters - man-made as well as natural - and the accompanying costs in terms of human suffering and loss of life should serve as a powerful impetus for action. An essential aim should be to increase the effectiveness 01 the world community's relief efforts.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“On governance, the idea is that the present governing bodies of five United Nations organs should be replaced by a single governing body, an international development council. This would not only be a major step towards rationalisation of the governance of the United Nations development efforts, but would also provide the scope for improved coordination and coherence. While the United Nations can make an important contribution to the development of third-world countries, it cannot be a substitute for the integration of these countries into the global economy. Industrialized and developing countries have a common interest in strengthening a free and open world-trade system. Protectionist pressures must be resisted. All countries now need to make a special effort to bring the Uruguay Round negotiations to an early and successful conclusion.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Denmark has demonstrated its support for United Nations efforts in the field of development by contributing financially far more than the size of our economy would indicate. This special interest and our wish to ensure effective utilization of our contributions prompted us in 1988 to set up, together with the other Nordic countries, what is called the Nordic United Nations Project, whose final report was submitted in April this year. The project contains a number of ideas, which we hope will be considered seriously. The two main ideas of the project relate to funding and governance of United Nations programmes. The present funding mechanism might be replaced by a mechanism that improved the prospects for forward planning and greater fairness.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The political and economic decision-making process must be based on broad public participation and in particular the active participation of women and young people. Through our own experience in Denmark we have certainly learned the importance of this. Over the last two decades the role of the United Nations system's operational activities in development cooperation has gradually declined, and disillusionment may lead to further erosion. There is a lack of focus in considerable parts of the system; and the system as such has often evolved in an ad hoc manner in response to temporary needs. The improved international political climate provides a unique chance for radical reforms giving the United Nations programmes more focus and cohesion and increasing their contribution to economic and social development.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is therefore encouraging that these debates have recently been replaced by a much more constructive dialogue, which underlines our shared responsibility. Of special importance is the growing recognition that development of democratic systems, good governance and respect for human rights are essential for ensuring sustainable development. We welcome the reforms which many countries have initiated in the economic and social areas, although they do not yet go far enough; and we are pleased that democracy and pluralism are spreading to parts of the world hitherto characterized by one-party regimes and dictatorships. However, the formal establishment of institutional structures and procedures will not suffice.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)