YouSaid · the spoken record

Taveras Guzman

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS TAVERAS GUZMAN

lines on the record: 59
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1993-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“Finally, the delegation I lead calls upon the consciences of all nations and on all those leaders who bear upon their shoulders responsibility for the destiny of their countries and the world, for peace, common sense and mutual respect to prevail over violence and for there to be cooperation and solidarity between peoples; for these are the supreme purposes of this Organization.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Not only that, it had to make significant investments in terms of money and other resources in order to overhaul the building to bring it up to the specifications required by the Organization. We request the Secretary-General to postpone any action leading to merger between INSTRAW and UNIFEM until such time as the General Assembly considers his proposal and comes to its own conclusions on the matter. Also, it would seem that there is an attempt being made to ignore, unilaterally, the Agreement between the United Nations and the host Government that is the legal framework within which INSTRAW operates. My Government regards this as a serious - an extremely serious - impropriety, and reserves the right to use all relevant legal means to assert its legitimate rights.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“My Government attaches the greatest importance to this decision, and requests this world forum to give it its closest attention in order to avoid committing a grave injustice by taking hasty action or the like. INSTRAW was conceived at the First World Conference on Women, held in Mexico City in 1975, and was established as the result of a series of resolutions, including, we should like to recall, Economic and Social 20 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session Council resolution 1979/11 of 9 May 1979. This resolution specified clearly that the permanent headquarters of the Institute was to be my country, the Dominican Republic, a developing country. Moreover, my Government gave the United Nations the building that is being used as the Institute’s headquarters.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Summit will have to deliver a clear undertaking for common policies to defend and protect these important segments of the world’s population collectively, and we hope that many of our countries will take measures to extend coverage and protection for these social sectors, especially for children and the elderly. We should like to draw to members’ attention a subject of serious concern to my Government and country, and that has complex and serious ramifications that will be brought before the appropriate forums during the forty-eighth General Assembly session. This is the Secretary-General’s proposal to merge the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Theoretically, the General Assembly will study this proposal in November.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In the new international order, another of the major challenges that the Dominican Republic must face is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its possible implications; we understand that NAFTA, as a theoretical possible outcome, would imply an effort towards the complete liberalization of trade throughout the hemisphere. I should like to emphasize the Dominican Republic’s strong support for holding a World Summit for Social Development to take up matters relating to the social situation in the world, particularly that of women, young people, the elderly, the handicapped and families.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In this connection, the international activities of the Dominican Republic focus on the economic programmes of countries in our region and regional organizations that can help in our development and in our enjoyment of technical and financial cooperation. The implementation of appropriate domestic policies by our Government will ensure that trade and investment will become the ideal means to strengthen bilateral relations, underpinned, of course, by the unilateral granting of trade benefits under the Caribbean Basin Initiative and by the opening up of our market under the Americas Initiative.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Dominican Republic has just become a party to the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the 1972 Protocol Amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, bringing itself up to date on international legislation in order the better to play its role in collaborating with other States and agencies. The other issue to which I wish to refer is the economic crisis affecting most countries of the world. Today, the phenomenon of globalization of the economy and integration of regional blocs is typical of the international situation, which is evolving so rapidly that countries such as mine can no longer put off negotiations to determine their participation in multilateral free-trade agreements, customs unions or regional markets.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“May I, first, draw the attention of the international community, as represented here, to the positive developments in the area of drug trafficking, which are due to the success of many measures aimed at combating and eradicating what has for too long been one of the most ominous scourges of mankind. None the less, we must redouble our efforts to ensure that measures are implemented both internally and internationally and result from coordinated policies of all the nations represented here today.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Let us invite it to cooperate transparently and effectively with the International Atomic Energy Agency in that body’s important task of inspecting and monitoring nuclear facilities. Willingness to do so would constitute evidence of that Government’s respect for its own nation and of its concern for the future of its people and of all mankind. We support United Nations measures to put an end to arms trafficking. We support efforts to ensure transparency in military expenditures so that military activity may be made more predictable, and peace and international security, at the regional and world levels, strengthened. Let me now turn to two important issues that are still on the agenda of this Assembly.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The latter part of the twentieth century has witnessed major changes in world political affairs, ranging from the end of the cold war to democratization in the countries of Forty-eighth session - 11 October l993 19 Eastern Europe.Despite this ideological thaw, however, we still have arms trafficking and nuclear arsenals and, therefore, a serious threat to peace. Let me refer once again to the situation in the Korean peninsula and mention specifically North Korea, which is continuing its nuclear research and investing enormous resources in this undertaking. Let us invite the Government of North Korea to become a party to the universal agreements on the control of nuclear weapons.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The political will of Governments and of all those who participate in organized civilian society will be necessary to our taking up this great challenge, which will involve commitment on the part of everyone - a commitment from all mankind. In that connection, the Dominican Republic supports the general outline of the Plan of Action that was adopted at the summit Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Here we have a valuable instrument for political programming and regional cooperation to protect the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The United States considered the situation with a view to deciding what was possible in relations between the Arab and Jewish peoples. The agreement culminated in the signing at the White House in Washington. In our opinion, that demonstrated unequivocally and very clearly to international public opinion the sincerity of the parties, who were fully aware of the extreme importance of the commitments into which they were entering. We must constantly stress the importance of the environment. After economic crisis and the imbalance between North and South, the major challenge facing mankind is the environmental crisis. The gradual destruction of ecosystems and the deteriorating quality of life of human beings are unavoidable aspects of everyday existence for the peoples of the world. Thus, it is essential that the course of events be changed.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The long-standing conflict in the Middle East engendered dangerous tension that has kept the entire world in suspense and has been regarded as the potential source of a future conflagration of incalculable destructiveness. In connection with the development to which I have just referred - the agreement between the Palestinians and the State of Israel - it might be time to defer consideration of or remove the items on that conflict that have long appeared on the General Assembly’s agenda. With this reciprocal exchange of olive branches of peace, we can see the promise of harmony between peoples that have been living in such uneasy proximity. We must recognize how the persistent diplomacy of the United States contributed to securing the results that have been achieved.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“This has happened in the former Yugoslavia, where even now, despite the efforts of the United Nations and intensive diplomatic activity, blood is still being shed between brother peoples that until recently lived together under one flag. Our Government wishes to see a swift solution to the situation in the former Yugoslavia and reiterates its support for measures taken by the Security Council, in particular the establishment of an international war tribunal to pass judgement on crimes against humanity committed in some areas of the conflict. We would especially like to point to one positive development that represents perhaps our best hope for peace today: the transitional agreement between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Government of the State of Israel.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I shall refer first to the Central American crisis, which, happily, today is on the road to a definitive solution because of the positive evolution, under the auspices of the United Nations, of the El Salvador peace agreements, and the recent return to democracy in Guatemala, which augurs well for the institutionalization of peace and prosperity in that region. Next, we would like to refer to one of the most complex and difficult conflicts facing the international community today - that is, the existence of extreme nationalism, which in some cases has led to fratricidal wars and the annihilation of large groups of people because of racial and cultural hatred.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Rather, its authority and responsibility will be enhanced so that it can respond effectively to any crisis with which the international community might be confronted, as the Council has done recently. In this regard, we consider that it would be practical and feasible to give the Council greater flexibility in meeting the just aspirations of nations, such as the Republic of China, that wish to become Members of the United Nations and cooperate in carrying out its principles. I would now like to express our views on developments in the international situation, particularly on conflicts that, in one way or another, have been affecting international peace.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Dominican delegation believes that, because of the increase in the membership of the United Nations - currently at 184 countries - there should be a more equitable representation in the Security Council, while at the same time we continue to abide by the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the United Nations Charter. Now that the bipolarity of the past has disappeared and the use and abuse of the veto are fading, the Council should become more representative of the new international reality. This should be done in broad consultations, after due reflection and with account taken of the need for equity, so that the Council can become more representative without its effectiveness being in any way mitigated or weakened.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Faithful to that first call for the redemption of our continent, our Government honours this historical tradition, which is fully valid today in our country’s official and private practice. It has been working on instruments - which might eventually become international in nature - that will contribute to giving juridical force to that tradition. 18 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session Our country has advocated the universality of human rights. We believe that neither geographical, economic, social, religious nor cultural differences can ever be used as a pretext for showing contempt for human rights.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As a result of the meeting, the two statesmen reached an agreement, subsequently formalized, that will ensure the speedy and constructive normalization of relations, with real reciprocal cooperation, between our two States. There is no more appropriate forum than this for me, on behalf of my country and Government, to appeal again for massive aid from the most developed nations of the Earth to that afflicted and impoverished neighbouring brother country. Since the conquest and colonization of America, the Dominican Republic has defended human rights. It was in our island, Hispaniola, that a loud voice was first raised on behalf of the rights of the indigenous inhabitants of our American lands - the voice of Brother Antón de Montesinos, in his famous Advent sermon.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In this respect, we are pleased to report that the Prime Minister of the Haitian Government, Mr. Robert Malval, recently made an official visit to the Dominican Republic, with a view to fully normalizing relations between the Dominican and Haitian peoples and establishing the full spectrum of relations between the two countries, in their mutual interest. I am happy to say that the Haitian Prime Minister was given a very warm welcome by the President of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Joaquín Balaguer, who has always been interested in finding a solution to our brother country’s political conflict and especially in alleviating the serious economic situation there.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The efforts being made by the Haitian people and their leaders, with international assistance in the form of negotiations under the aegis of the United Nations and the Organization of American States, are now beginning to bear fruit and will, we trust, restore normalcy to that fraternal country with the re-establishment of constitutional order. In that connection our delegation reiterates its appeal to the international community to lend real assistance to stabilize the democratic regime and to ensure the economic reconstruction of Haiti - assistance and cooperation adequate to meet the needs of peace and employment. The Dominican Republic, in so far as it is able, remains ready to continue to cooperate with this fraternal people to lighten the heavy burden of its current problems.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I should also like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his commitment and for his efforts to carry out the principles and purposes of the Organization’s Charter. Today, in our America, we are witnessing the beginnings of a negotiated solution to conflict, and we are pleased that in Central America, and particularly in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, the disputes that have disturbed the peace and hindered the development of our peoples are now being resolved at the negotiating table. In our Island of Hispaniola, imperial and colonial rivalry divided the population into two peoples who, over the course of time, established two independent States - the Dominican Republic, which we represent here, and the Republic of Haiti.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The delegation of the Dominican Republic takes great pleasure in extending its warmest congratulations to Mr. Samuel Insanally on his well-merited election to preside over the General Assembly at this forty-eighth session. A man from our America - and, more specifically, from the Caribbean region, where both of our countries are located - he has the required abilities and experience successfully to guide our work at this session, which must confront and deal with the major challenges facing the international community, namely, the achievement of peace and the economic and social development of our nations. We also wish to express our appreciation to the outgoing President, Mr. Stoyan Ganev, for the wisdom with which he led our deliberations at the previous session.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We have great pleasure in taking advantage of this opportunity to reaffirm our resolute support for the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. The Dominican Republic is profoundly committed to the success of that body. Today, the United Nations constitutes that ecumenical, common forum where we set forth our ideas as we seek solutions intended to bring about a better life in the world in which we live a world free from discrimination and waste. It is our desire to see the work of this Organization revitalized so that it may be able more effectively to do its job and live up to its obligations. We give it our fullest support, and we express our faith and hope in universal peace and harmony.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“That is why the Dominican Republic backs unreservedly the convening of a world summit for social development. We take the view that the concept of human security, which that proposal reflects, refers directly to the important - indeed, the overriding task facing all societies: the provision of food, clothing and housing in quantities sufficient for all, while promoting social progress in harmony with the environment, and supporting those institutions that respond to the noblest aspirations that human beings cherish throughout their lives. Even if only in terms strictly of a cost-benefit analysis, it is cheaper to deal with social problems now. Dealing with them later involves paying the price of social upheaval. We literally cannot afford to ignore that truth.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In the economic arena, there is a constant search for ways and means of fostering the resumption of growth and modernization, as well as the more active participation of those countries in the world economy. The data on the social condition of the majority of the world's population, and the possibility that those data may worsen as a result of economic measures that have been adopted, have made it necessary to place the issue of the social dimension in the world at the heart of our debate. The concept that social issues are a secondary matter, in contrast with the primary process taking place in political forums, is a grave and extremely costly mistake. In fact, if we do not deal with the social problems they turn very quickly into political problems. The groan of hunger does more than break the silence; eventually it rends peace asunder.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The policy of apartheid constitutes a crime against the conscience and the dignity of human beings and, therefore, it must be totally eliminated, so that a genuine democracy, based on a multi-ethnic and pluralist system, may be established in South Africa. The 1990s have begun with great frustration, but also with great hope frustration because of the stagnation or backsliding in terms of social progress, which the 1980s left as a legacy to the majority of developing countries; hope because what is taking place is a real revolution in thinking, which makes imperative a review and a revision of proposals for the promotion of development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“At this point, we should like to refer to the matter of racial discrimination, yet another major problem that still shocks the conscience of humankind and continues to represent a major challenge to and violation of the most elementary norms of human rights. In this sense, our country has repeatedly, in this very forum, stated its rejection and repudiation of the apartheid system. Two years ago, right here, we expressed satisfaction at the announcement by the President of South Africa, Frederick de Klerk, of the recognition of the rights of other races in that country to ensure that an end would be put to the system of apartheid. However, today racial tensions continue to escalate, and it is not possible to discern any rapid progress in the process of change in South Africa.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Accordingly, international cooperation is necessary so that the States of the third world as well as the industrialized nations can strive together to ensure that present and future generations will be able to enjoy a clean planet Earth, where life will be easier and happier. The Dominican Government, aware of these facts, has embarked on a process of reforesting our country and of conserving our natural resources. We support whatever steps the international community may take along these lines, and, to demonstrate this, we are submitting to the Congress of our Republic, with a view to accession, the 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, along with its Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Moreover, we have signed bilateral accords along these lines with countries in our region and are in the final phase of preparations leading to our accession to the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The facts in terms of the state of the environment the world over are growing ever more alarming and must be a source of concern to, and a reason for solidarity among, all States Members of the Organization. Because of interdependence, damage done to the environment anywhere in the world has an impact upon us all.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We refer here to drug trafficking and the destruction and social and moral harm which that scourge entails for all our communities. Our country supports every single measure taken by the United Nations to cope with this serious problem, and calls for continued efforts to resolve and do away with this global scourge. In this vein, the Dominican Republic has been taking forceful steps to confront this evil, pursuing a dynamic drug-abuse-prevention drive and at the same time launching major administrative, legislative and judicial initiatives, not only against drug production, but also against the marketing of and the trafficking in drugs.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We regret, however, that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is persisting in its nuclear research with the aim of building nuclear weapons. By the same token, we are optimistic about the situation developing among the Arab peoples and the people of Israel, and we hope that this atmosphere of dialogue and negotiation will gain even greater momentum so that those concerned may live in peace and harmony on their lands while moving towards a future of prosperity and progress. Though the cold war is a thing of the past, the danger and the tragedy of regional conflicts are still with us. Settling those conflicts requires international cooperation and the good will of the parties involved. However, another serious threat to peace and to the well-being of our peoples still faces the Americas and other parts of the world.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Bereft of any guarantee of their rights, they are suffering the onslaught of a tragic fratricidal war that is taking a heavy toll in human lives, particularly those of women and children, who are subjected to constant air attacks and shellings and are deprived of the food and medicine they need in order to subsist and treat their wounds and illnesses. We support the measures adopted by the United Nations with regard to the former Yugoslavia, measures that urge the parties to respect human rights and forcefully condemn the loathsome practice of "ethnic cleansing". It is a source of satisfaction to my delegation to see the communication that is developing between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, aimed at reuniting the Korean family.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Accordingly, we have been and continue to be providing disinterested support to all the parties to the conflict, in the hope that a solution that would resolve existing differences can be found and that all institutions in the Republic of Haiti can again function normally. Our Government is deeply democratic, respects human rights and jealously guards its prerogative of guaranteeing the liberties of those inhabiting the Republic. We deplore the fragmentation of the former Yugoslavia as well as the tragedy that has befallen its people.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Today that situation is made even more tragic by the political crisis our Haitian brothers are going through. The Dominican authorities and people are not indifferent to that situation, which stems from the COUP d'etat that cut short President Aristide's experiment in democracy. That development was condemned by the Organization of American States (OAS), which imposed a trade embargo to compel the current authorities to restore legality. So far as the Dominican Government, presided over by Mr. Joaquin Balaguer, is concerned, negotiation and dialogue within the context of absolute respect for the norms of international law are the most appropriate instruments in the quest for peace.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Joaquin Balaguer, a champion of democracy who gives us an example of what a leader can do with the scant resources of a poor State when they are used judiciously to create conditions favourable to the people. Those achievements include, among other things, the construction of thousands of dwellings, hundreds of kilometres of highways and local roads, as well as schools and hospitals to provide vital social services to a constantly growing population. Let me now turn to the situation of our fraternal neighbour, Haiti. Unfortunately, throughout its existence as an independent country Haiti has endured a chronic situation of economic penury and the impoverishment of its soil. This has forced its population to emigrate in waves across our borders and by sea in search of a better life.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Dominican Republic is now pursuing closer ties with the States members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with a view to bringing about our definitive entrance into CARICOM, on the basis of the great significance that the Dominican Government attaches at this time to the achievement of a more advantageous position vis-a-vis the European Economic Community as a State member of the Lome Convention, and the Dominican Republic is thus aiming to bring about greater openness in markets when it comes to selling its products internationally. The achievements of the Dominican Republic, despite the grave economic crisis suffered in recent years by Latin American and Caribbean countries, have been the result of good government, presided over by Dr.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Nevertheless, over the last two years the Dominican economy has undergone a successful process of adjustment that has made it possible to eliminate inflation, stabilize the national currency and bring the budgetary deficit under control, all as a result of the adoption of a restrictive monetary policy. This has helped to rebuild confidence in the production sectors. We believe that confidence in our country's business sector in the immediate future is indispensable for the achievement of an accelerated and sustained recovery of the Dominican economy. Even more important in that regard is the country's ability in the short term to increase the foreign-exchange income that it needs for its development, at a time when the export of raw materials is being replaced by service-sector products.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I have expressed these thoughts because I come from a country, the Dominican Republic, that is small in size, with an area of only 48,400 square kilometres and a population of 7,500,000, and we feel the ill effects of the problems I have mentioned: burdensome external debt and declining trade because of restrictive and protectionist practices in the countries to which we export our agricultural products, whose prices are constantly falling in world markets. Our adverse trade situation means that we are losing significant resources that could be devoted to our development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“That is the most important challenge facing mankind, and this forum is the right place to discuss those issues and create conditions and lay down guidelines to improve the lot of the two thirds of mankind that today finds itself threatened, not only by the economic crisis and the inequalities between North and South but also by the continued deterioration of the environment, which has been degraded by our own deliberate or unwitting use and abuse of it.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Mankind is still burdened with problems arising out of the so-called conventional weapons, which are becoming more and more destructive, and what is needed is a degree of international control to limit them. That would make available resources that, if properly used, could contribute to the development of the countries of the third world, which are already suffering because of heavy public debt and restrictive and protectionist measures impeding international trade.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“On the new international landscape, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the collapse of communism, the likelihood of a world war has vanished. But in many regions it remains possible that conflicts of an unpredictable nature could take place. Hence the international community should remain vigilant, because though it is true that the danger of nuclear war has disappeared, it is no less true that another menace is still with us, that of the continued quest, on the part of some countries, for technology for the production of nuclear weaponry, behind the back of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Agency deserves to be revitalized so that it will be able to work effectively in its efforts to prevent the proliferation of those terrible weapons.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Permit me to begin. Sir, by taking this opportunity to convey to you the congratulations of the delegation of the Dominican Republic on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session. Coming from a region that is taking on a new dimension in the international community, you will no doubt take a realistic view of the major challenges posed by the world situation. You have first-hand experience of the transformations taking place in the world. You are thus superbly qualified to guide with composure the deliberations of the Assembly. We wish also to pay a warm tribute to the distinguished Saudi diplomat. His Excellency Mr. Samir S. Shihabi, the outgoing President, for his skill and for the fruitful results he achieved in his work.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Therefore I should like to conclude by assuring all the members of this world Assembly, especially our brothers in Latin America and in the Americas generally, that today the Dominican Republic is ruled by a democratic Government which respects human rights, which does not discriminate against any foreigners, which does not foster the creation or maintenance of situations of any kind that may affect peace in any part, of the world, and which does not favour the establishment, of barriers between the various members of the human family.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“That programme provides, inter-alia, for the following: first, the conclusion of an agreement establishing the conditions under which Haitian labourers can be recruited for work in the Dominican sugar industry; secondly, application or this first agreement as a model, with suitable changes, to other areas which, like the coffee industry, hire large numbers of Haitian workers each year for the harvest; thirdly, screening by the Dominican immigration services of the many Haitians, both men and women, who have been living for years in the Dominican Republic and who, in consequence, are entitled to residence permits as temporary workers; and, fourthly, the holding of periodic meetings among prominent intellectuals from both Haiti and the Dominican Republic with a view to creating a climate of understanding between the two countries, since everyone is aware of the damage that has been caused between them by social, economic and historical factors, damage that tends to be aggravated by the abundance of Haitian manpower in the country, which gives rise to unfair competition that depresses the wages of Dominicans and creates a dangerous situation in which the needs of a large part of the Dominican working class go unmet.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“When Haiti's new ambassador, Mr. Guy Alexandre, presented his credentials to the Dominican Government, the President of the Dominican Republic outlined for that distinguished diplomat a broad programme of action which the two countries might pursue with a view to settling their existing problems.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is not Inappropriate to mention here that an official mission headed by Myrtiho Seletin, the Minister for Social Affairs and Labour, recently visited the Dominican Republic on 15 August and had contacts with the Dominican authorities at the highest level. During these initial contacts between the authorities of the two countries, it was agreed that another commission, similar to the existing one, would be appointed by the Government of the Dominican Republic and would visit Haiti to pursue the negotiations in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Scarcely two weeks ago the first contact was made. The Dominican commission has not yet gone to Haiti, because the Dominican Secretary of State for Labour, who was to head the mission, had to travel to Germany on an official visit and returned just a few days ago to the Dominican capital.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is the supreme gesture of justice for all of us to shoulder our fair share of the burden, to make an effort to ensure that the Haitian nation is able to accommodate in conditions of freedom and well-being all its children, so many of whom are today desperate refugees from hunger and poverty. Aware of this situation, the Government of the Dominican Republic wishes to place on record before this world body that it has done everything within its power to seek a peaceful settlement of the problems to which I have referred and to reach agreements between the two parties that, to the fullest extent possible, respect the rights and satisfy the requirements of both countries.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Is the Assembly aware of the enormous burden which this invasion of our economy has imposed on us, on the economy of a poor country, an economy that cannot provide bread, employment, health, education, clean drinking water or adequate housing for its own growing population? Has the Assembly any idea of the magnitude and enormity of this problem, which is of overwhelming proportions given our extremely limited resources? I must tell the Assembly that it is impossible for the Dominican Republic to shoulder the tremendous burden of this immigration, which has been as abundant and torrential as the rains that accompany tropical storms. That is why we make an urgent appeal - an appeal for good will and for the international community to come to Haiti's aid with the dispatch the situation requires.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“With the upheaval caused by war in Central America, a little more than 1 million Guatemalans, Salvadorians, Nicaraguans and Hondurans have left their countries to seek refuge - political and economic refuge - in the United States and neighbouring countries. An international conference was held to deal with the issue of Central American refugees, and many programmes and activities - some of them under the auspices of United Nations agencies - were set up for the benefit of these refugees. Many of them have proved to be effective. Hundreds of thousands of Haitian citizens have come to stay in our country.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)