YouSaid · the spoken record

VAYRYNEN

lines on the record: 231
first: 1977-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“In facing the new challenges, especially in the promotion of sustainable development and democracy, the primary issue is how we can best build on the Charter and even amend it, where necessary. As it approaches the end of the second millennium, humanity is faced with formidable challenges. Meeting them will not be easy; I have no illusions about that. Yet the United Nations now has a. better chance than ever to use its full potential and show leadership for the sake of a better future.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“For members of any club, paying dues is <¬ª duty, not an option. While exceptional measures may be needed to guarantee the uninterrupted functioning of the United Nations in the present crisis, the overall funding of the Organization must be built on the collective responsibility of the entire membership. We have a common interest to invest in improved security and development towards a more prosperous and democratic world. The United Nations Charter remains fully valid today as regards the maintenance of international peace and security and, by and large, also as regards the promotion of international cooperation in the economic, social, and human rights sectors.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Finland shares the Secretary-General's concerns regarding the Organization's ability to function in the present financial crisis. We are therefore willing to consider constructively any of his proposals. Finland is particularly anxious to see the General Assembly take the first step recommended by the Secretary-General: the establishment of a peace-keeping reserve fund to meet the initial expenses of peace-keeping operations pending receipt of assessed contributions. The Nordic countries have long advocated this step. With the recent expansion of operations, the need for such a fund is acute. It is not in keeping with the honour, interests or legal obligations of the Member States for the United Nations to exist in "its present mendicancy", to use the words of the Secretary-General.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Development is not only economic and social progress; it is also promotion of democracy and human rights. No longer do questions of violations of human rights belong exclusively to the sovereign domain of States. On the contrary, respect for human rights and democracy is an integral part of international relations. It is therefore one of the main responsibilities of the United Nations to see to it that they are respected world wide. The Economic and Social Council is the principal organ of the United Nations for development. It is important and urgently necessary that the Economic and Social Council be strengthened so that it can gain the true leadership role for sustainable development and promotion of human rights and democracy. The demands put on the United Nations today are unprecedented. New challenges have to be met and financed.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“To implement what was agreed at Rio is a tall order for any country, and particularly for developing countries. Many of them will need the assistance of the international community and the United Nations. New and additional resources required by developing countries must be provided in a timely manner. That is a heavy task for the donor community, as it has to shoulder the responsibility of also assisting the new democracies in transition. The results of the Earth Summit do indeed underline the unique and indispensable role of the United Nations in promoting development. They will have a crucial impact on the entire economic and social sector of the United Nations and on the work of the Economic and Social Council. Development deserves the same priority and attention as peace and security.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Forests have both an important national dimension and an important global dimension. Forests are a valuable national resource which must be utilized for the benefit of the local population. Sustainable forestry is also economically beneficial. While the sovereignty of nations over their forest resources should be respected, that sovereignty should not be misused. Finland, for its part, is prepared to participate actively in launching the negotiations on the global forest convention on the basis of the forest principles agreed upon at Rio. Here we have to build a better understanding of the need for such an international instrument. We also have to build mutual confidence founded on the unique role of forests in the global ecosystem.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“A sustainable future can be brought about only by putting the treaties agreed upon at Rio into force and by translating the principles of the Declaration and Agenda 21 into action. In this the Commission on Sustainable Development will have an essential role to play. The conventions signed at Rio are just an initial core for a comprehensive legal framework, which should guide mankind in the right direction. What we do need is a full set of internationally binding agreements which redirects production and consumption patterns in each and every country. We also need effective conventions covering natural resources. Here instruments on desertification and sustainable forestry are the most urgent ones. The future of mankind requires sustainable development, management and conservation of forests of all types of forests everywhere.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Alongside the task of maintaining peace and security, a new equally courageous and visionary leadership is called for on sustainable development. At Rio a remarkable number of Heads of State and Government responded to that call and drew guidelines for world-wide sustainable development. Although our expectations could not all be fulfilled, the Earth Summit showed that the United Nations and the international community can achieve remarkable results when minds meet. Yet Rio was only the beginning of a long process towards sustainable development. In that process, a fundamental change is needed first and foremost in attitudes a change in our own life-styles. And we need a strong political will to direct that change.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Unrestrained accumulation of conventional arms can lead to regional instability. It is therefore essential that especially the major arms-exporting countries should exercise restraint individually and collectively. It is also necessary that all relevant transfers should be fully reported to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. The Security Council summit represented a firm recommitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The Secretary-General, for his part, has seized the momentum and turned this new commitment into a programme for concrete action. In the promotion of peace and security, this is indeed the beginning of a new era in the history of the United Nations. On the same positive note, I should like to turn to another summit, the Earth Summit, held at Rio de Janeiro.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“While not underestimating the problems involved, we believe that the Security Council and all Members of the Organization should seriously consider the proposals of the Secretary-General concerning peace-enforcement units, as well as the negotiation of agreements in accordance with Article 43 of the Charter. Proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction constitutes a major threat to international peace and security. International norms of non-proliferation should be strengthened through universal and credible adherence to them. Finland welcomes the recently concluded chemical-weapons convention. It is a vital and long-awaited part of the international non-proliferation regime and should attract as many original signatories as possible. Finland, for its part, will be among the first States to sign and ratify the convention.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“While regional organizations should play a greater role in dealing with threats to security in their respective regions, the United Nations, through its Security Council, retains, of course, its unique and primary role and special instruments in maintaining international peace and security. The Secretary-General reminds us of the most potent instrument available to the Security Council, Article 42 of the Charter. We agree with him that the last-resort option of taking military action is essential to the credibility of the United Nations as a guarantor of international security.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The tragic situation in former Yugoslavia shows clearly how a complex problem requires an innovative approach. Under the joint leadership of the United Nations and the European Community, the Conference, with its six working groups, is seeking solutions to the multitude of political, ethnic, humanitarian and other problems in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. CSCE is also actively engaged in supporting the settlement of the conflict. In this context, let me say that Finland supports the Security Council recommendation to the General Assembly that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia should apply for membership in the United Nations and should not participate in the work of the General Assembly in the meantime.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“When the capacity of the United Nations to keep peace and prevent conflicts has been stretched to its limit, it is natural that other means should be taken under consideration. Here regional organizations and agencies can play a significant role. The Secretary-General's repeated calls for closer cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations are well-founded. At its Helsinki Summit in July, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) responded constructively. CSCE has strengthened its capacity for conflict management and peace-keeping. We also support the Secretary-General's idea of periodic consultations between the United Nations and regional arrangements on confidence-building measures.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“As expressed so clearly in the Secretary-General's report, it is not sufficient that the United Nations should succeed in putting an end to conflicts. The best way to deal with conflicts is to prevent them. This is a complicated but vital task, where the capacity of the United Nations should be considerably strengthened. Different methods could come into question, depending on the specific circumstances of each case. But the necessary basis for any prevention is continuous information-gathering and monitoring exercised both by the Secretary-General and by the Security Council. Early deployment of monitors or peace-keepers should be considered whenever necessary for effective prevention. May I add that we are also grateful to the Secretary-General for the innovative treatment of post-conflict, comprehensive peace-building in his report.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In response to the initiative taken by the Security Council summit the Secretary-General has submitted an excellent report under the title "An Agenda for Peace". In it he has innovatively addressed the question of how the full potential of the United Nations can be most effectively used in the service of peace and international security. The report is a comprehensive effort by the Secretary-General to relate preventive diplomacy, peace-making and peace-keeping, as well as peace-building, to the changing political and security requirements of the world today. I am especially pleased to note that the Secretary-General's thinking and many of his recommendations are well in line with what Finland, often together with the other Nordic countries, has itself long advocated.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“After two world wars, the United Nations was given the responsibility for maintaining peace and security for future generations. Now, decades later, the Organization also faces a multitude of other major challenges: those of development, protection of the environment and promotion of democracy and human rights. Courageous and visionary leadership is now called for to create a new United Nations for a new international era. The Security Council demonstrated such leadership at its historic summit meeting held in January. After decades of cold war, the summit set new priorities for the United Nations in the promotion of peace and security worldwide, and provided guidelines for a more active United Nations involvement in the maintenance of peace.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I wish to begin by congratulating my colleague Mr. Stoyan Ganev on his election to the high office of President of the General Assembly. He can rest assured that the delegation of Finland will render him its full support in his challenging task. On behalf of my Government I wish also to extend a warm welcome to the 13 new Members amongst us. Their participation in the work of the United Nations will further strengthen the Organization. Since the beginning of this year the United Nations has had a new Secretary-General. Faced with many difficult challenges, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali has already shown, in word and in deed, that he is firmly in charge. We wish him all success in his work. The United Nations Charter was drafted under dramatic circumstances during the final stages of the Second World War.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“How, as the Organisation is approaching its fiftieth anniversary, there is ample reason for a thorough review of the challenges the United Nations is facing and of the adequacy of its structures and mechanisms, including the Charter, to respond to them. We need a new world architecture.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The new and more effective role of the United Nations in this area is currently being studied by the Nordic countries, and we are actively engaged in formulating concrete proposals in this regard. The United Nations was born to prevent war. That primary responsibility remains valid. However, five decades ago it was not possible to foresee how extensive the present and future problems of development and environment would be. When the Charter of the United Nations was formulated, nobody knew what role economic and technological developments would play and what effects they would have internationally.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The establishment of a universal and non-discriminatory register of such transfers under United Nations management is an appropriate and pragmatic way to begin. Finland has consistently supported United Rations peace-keeping activities. We have long been one of the most important troop-contributing countries. He support the extension of United Nations peace-keeping into new fields, including that of the prevention of conflicts. We attach particular importance to strengthening further the role of the United Nations in the context of peace-making and peace enforcement. The strengthening of the United Nations peace-keeping role requires additional budgetary resources. I find it intolerable that the United Nations is constantly required to launch new operations without the certainty of full and timely financing from its membership.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In order to improve the ability of the United Nations to alleviate humanitarian emergencies and environmental catastrophes rapidly, the concept of so-called United Nations Green Helmets deserves, in my view, close: study and consideration. The capacity of the United Nations to maintain and restore international peace and security is of continuing concern to Finland. The clandestine pursuit of weapons o£ mass destruction and massive transfers of conventional arms are cause for growing and justified concern. These sources of present and future instability need to be addressed by the international community through strengthening non-proliferation arrangements and through novel approaches. Thus Finland strongly supports increased transparency in international arms transfers.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“His tenure at the helm of the Organization has added immeasurably to the effectiveness and prestige of the United Nations. The reforms in the economic and social fields call for a new kind of division of responsibilities. This can be done without changing the democratic nature of the world Organization. The objective must be to maintain the United Nations in the forefront of development activities. With this in mind, the Nordic countries have undertaken a study called the "Nordic United Nations Project". It reflects the desire of our Governments, which provide about one third of the financing of United Nations development activities, to make the system more transparent, responsive and accountable. Regarding humanitarian assistance, the structures and coordination within the United Nations must be clarified and strengthened system-wide.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“When conceptualising this new architecture of global decision-making, we must also be ready to reform and strengthen existing structures for international cooperation. In this regard, reform of the United Nations system becomes essential. Therefore my Government welcomes the proposal by the Secretary-General, in his report on the work of the Organisation, that a well-organised process of analysis and consultation be initiated in which Governments can outline their priorities for the achievement of their desired objectives for the Organisation. Let me in this context say that the Secretary-General's report is yet another manifestation of the lucid and thoughtful reasoning that the Member States have come to expect from him.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The strongest economic Powers, which profit most from world-wide integration, should bear the main responsibility for helping those countries that do not have sufficient possibilities to succeed in this competition. Burden-sharing in financing, be it development aid or environmental investments, should be based not only on capacities in terms of gross national product, but also in terms of current account surpluses of national economies. Furthermore, we have to consider whether the share of financing for the environment, could be based on the use of non renewable natural resources and the damage caused to nature. Those countries that profit most should pay the largest share of the costs involved.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Forests temper extreme changes in the climate and slow down more permanent changes. Moreover, forests absorb carbon dioxide. All these environmental and developmental concerns, which have emerged during recent decades, present a formidable challenge to mankind. In order to meet this challenge we have to capture today the same sense of solidarity and joint responsibility that inspired the birth of nation-States. We have to incorporate into our political systems a new, global level. The world needs a new global architecture for human interaction, decision-making and cooperation. Such a new world architecture must take into account current realities. The responsibility for both development and the environment should be borne by nations according to the ratio of their power and wealth.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“My Government hopes that the ongoing negotiations on global framework conventions on climate change and biodiversity can be concluded in time for the Conference. Another process of global negotiations that will, we hope, be initiated by the Conference is the framework convention on forestry. The livelihood of my own country is to a great extent derived from forestry and forest resources. Forests grow slowly, but. can be squandered quickly. I speak from experience and with conviction when I emphasise the importance of forests in global resource management. There is one cure for many environmental problems: forestation and reforestation. Forests provide fuel wood. Forests prevent desertification, floods and erosion. Forests protect cultivated land and shelter flora and fauna.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The tasks involved are not entirely contradictory; improved technology in the less developed countries can help achieve both a higher material standard of living and an ecologically sounder society. Yet, humanity must face the truth: the present trend leads inevitably to depletion of natural resources, climatic changes and serious damage to nature. We are endangering our own welfare and that of our children. If the present trend continues, the very existence of mankind will be in question. The combined effect of environmental destruction, population growth and climate change can be both rapid and irreversible. The world has little time to change its ways. Therefore, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development must become a turning-point, the beginning of a process towards ecologically sustainable development.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Respect for international law and collective security remains the basis of protecting the security of all States, especially the smaller ones. Side by side with these positive trends, global problems remain that have to be tackled. On the one hand, the economic and social problems of the developing countries continue undiminished. Poverty and want are increasing. Development prospects remain bleak. On the other hand, the Eastern and Central European countries, striving towards democracy, respect for human rights and a market economy, need and must be given economic support. Therefore, the developed nations must help solve these world-wide problems of development in a true spirit of global partnership. The time has come to unravel the conflict that exists between the economy of man and that of nature.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Elsewhere in the world the new realities have facilitated the settlement of several regional conflicts. Namibia was set free. Apartheid is disappearing. Conflicts in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Central America and Western Sahara are being wound down. Even in the intractable Middle East there is a glimmer of hope. The best example of the strengthened role of the United Nations is the liberation of Kuwait and the restoration of its independence. The Charter of the United Nations withstood a violent challenge to its authority. The Security Council acted promptly and effectively. The United Nations is and must continue to be actively engaged in alleviating the suffering caused by the Gulf War. This is true of humanitarian and other assistance, peace-keeping, as well as the elimination of Iraq's remaining weapons of mass destruction.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In order to cope with new conflicts that emerge and to safeguard peaceful and democratic change, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) will have to be strengthened. The basic principles of CSCE are solid, but its working methods and operational capabilities need to be further improved. We hope and expect that the CSCE follow-up meeting and the summit to be held in Helsinki next year will break new ground in this regard. Tragically, in Yugoslavia, political ferment has led to increasing violence with potentially unsettling consequences for the whole of Europe. Finland supports the efforts of the CSCE and the European Community to stop the cycle of violence and to help find a political solution in Yugoslavia. United Nations support for these efforts is also vital.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The power struggle between East and West extended all over the world and was entwined, as an essential part, in all major regional crises. Along with the military antagonisms and the arms race, nations have been competing in the economic and technological fields. The nature of this competition has changed markedly during the past few decades. We have moved into an area of high technology and world-wide integration. This creates growing interdependence between nations, but also increases differences. Economically and technologically strong nations are able to become even more advanced and thus to increase their international influence. The old world order is passing into history, and a new one is emerging. In Europe, this has led from confrontation to co-operation. A new comprehensive European architecture is currently being worked out.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The fact that the Baltic States have regained their rightful place among the independent nations reflects the profound change now under way. So far the most striking results of this change are visible mainly in Europe. However, this is a world-wide change and it has an impact everywhere. The divided world which emerged after the Second World War is now giving way to a new order. The old power structures were founded on the outcome of the war and the military strength of the respective countries. The United Nations was created then to forestall the causes of future wars. Soon, however, the antagonism between East and West began to grow. The military alliances were established. The Soviet Union and the United States developed into military super-Powers.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Mr. President, it is a real pleasure for me to see you presiding over our deliberations. I am sure that under your skilful guidance this session of the General Assembly will proceed smoothly and successfully. It is heartening to note the significant increase in the membership of the United Nations. On behalf of my Government I warmly welcome among us the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands as well as the Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In particular, Finland salutes the membership of its Baltic neighbours, with which we have now re-established relations and entered into close cooperation.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In my intervention I have emphasized the unique role of the United Nations based upon the Charter. Finland wholeheartedly supports the Secretary-General as he states in his report that the United Nations should become that strong constructive force in world affairs that is vitally needed. The complex problems of an increasingly interdependent world can only be solved with the help of effective multilateral action. This is the role the United Nations should attain and preserve.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The financial crisis of the United Nations is detrimental to the Organization's authority and is even an act against the Charter. We have to make all efforts to restore the credibility and financial viability of the United Nations. The prerequisite for the reassessment of the financial situation is that all countries pay their past and current dues in accordance with the Charter, in full and without delay. Furthermore, we have to address the question relating to the efficiency of the Organization. During the coming weeks the Assembly will examine the recommendations of the Group of High-level Intergovernmental Experts. The study conducted by the Group has been called by necessity. It provides, in our opinion, a useful basis for further discussion on longer-term remedial measures in order to promote the efficiency of the United Nations.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“In these efforts, the reports submitted by the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization offer us valuable guidelines. Ours is an Organization of sovereign States, each with, its own legitimate need for security and well-being. Yet it is also an Organization of common responsibility. The United Nations is as strong or as weak as we, the Member States, want it to be.Against the background of our common aspirations and common achievements, the present financial and administrative crisis of the United Nations seems paradoxical. The latest development gives us a reason for serious concern about the Organization's ability to carry out its task. As we know, the financial viability of the United Nations is jeopardized at the moment. A situation like this is most regrettable and cannot be condoned.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“During the follow-up meeting of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), to be held soon in Vienna, Finland will make a proposal to convene an expert meeting on the environment. Yet regional co-operation, as important as it is, does not alone meet our needs. The endeavors of the rapidly growing world population to achieve higher and higher levels of material consumption is burdening the global environment more and more with results which, in the worst analysis, might lead to a catastrophe. Mankind has to take this threat seriously. The United Nations should provide us with the practical means to promote international co-operation in this area of primary and vital importance. Together with the other Nordic countries, Finland is systematically examining ways and means of strengthening the Organization.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The United Nations should assist in resolving conflicts and disputes between nations; it should foster economic and social progress and promote human rights. Times have changed, and the challenges facing the Organization have expanded tremendously. One of the most serious new challenges for the world community is the protection of our common environment. Environmental protection has become more and more a problem of international dimensions. As for my own country, Finland has been active in its own region to promote environmental protection. Examples of the results already achieved are the Convention on Trans-boundary Air Pollution, negotiated under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECC), and the Convention on the Protection of the Baltic Sea.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“However unsatisfactory the present state of affairs may be, Finland continues to believe in the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We are grateful to the Secretary-General and his staff for their unrelenting efforts to redress the situation. The Charter provides an international code of conduct which binds all Member States. The first and foremost task of the United Nations is the maintenance of international peace and security. To fulfill its task this Organization should shoulder its responsibility for collective security as defined in the Charter and make every effort to develop a more just, secure and stable system of different but equal and interdependent nations.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The possibility of convening an international conference for the purpose of reaching a comprehensive settlement of the conflict, with the participation of all the parties concerned, including the Palestinians and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), should be thoroughly examined. The United Nations and its peace-keeping operations play a vital role in creating favorable conditions for a political solution. These operations have proved a useful instrument of crisis management. During the current year the United Nations peace-keeping Force in Lebanon has carried out its duties under constant and growing danger. It operates in a deteriorating situation created by the inability of the parties involved to reach agreement on security arrangements in the area and to come to an understanding of the role of the Force in southern Lebanon.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The fourteenth special session of the General Assembly on Namibia, which was held last week and at which I presented the Finnish position, amply and accurately demonstrated that the international community does not condone any pretexts to delay Namibian independence on the basis of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). The situation in the Middle East remains grave. There is again a risk of a recurrence of more widespread violations. During recent months we have witnessed a number of tragic incidents which have resulted in many victims. Just and lasting peace in the Middle East can be achieved only if Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), together with guarantees of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, form the basis of the settlement.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“In South Africa the vast majority of the people are determined to end the inhuman apartheid system and the repression practised by the racist regime. The need for concerted international action to persuade the South African Government to abandon the system of apartheid has become evident. Finland, together with the other Nordic countries, is working to increase economic and other pressure against South Africa. We expect the Security Council to take an early decision to impose effective sanctions against South Africa. The world community has a responsibility to alleviate any economic hardships South Africa is causing its neighbors. We appeal to all countries to increase their economic and humanitarian assistance to the front-line States and co-operation with the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“In the long run that would be much more effective than merely trying to control violent outbursts resulting from those root causes. I cannot fail to take note of the wide-ranging political confrontation and open warfare which haunt parts of Africa and Asia as well as Central America and the Middle East. We shall have an opportunity to discuss these burning issues as this session of the Assembly continues its work. In this statement I should like, however, to deal with two issues: southern Africa and the Middle East. The crises in these regions have grown even more critical and increasingly challenge the world community. The situation in southern Africa has been the subject of a number of significant international meetings during the recent months.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Terrorist acts against innocent people deserve the strongest condemnation. Effective international action is needed to prevent terrorism. Last year the General Assembly condemned "as criminal, all acts, methods and practices of terrorism, wherever and by whomever committed, including those which jeopardize friendly relations among States and their security", (resolution 40/61, para. 1) Last December the Security Council unequivocally condemned all acts of hostage-taking and abduction, having already agreed on a common statement on international terrorism in which it condemned "terrorism in all its forms". The international community ought to develop new, modern means of controlling jointly the new forms of violence. And equally jointly we must find ways to eradicate gradually what lies behind the violence.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Also, the idea of convening a ministerial session of the Economic and Social Council deserves attention. I have spoken about positive signs in the broad area of international relations. They do not change the overall picture, in which human suffering and the use of force are dominant features. The Finnish Government strongly rejects the use of force in international relations in any form whatsoever. This applies to acts by States as well as individuals. Human rights and fundamental freedoms continue to be denied in many parts of the world. It is our common responsibility to ensure respect for them. Today we are witnessing new forms of international violence, notably terrorism. Front pages of the press repeatedly contain descriptions of attacks by terrorist groups claiming to further a multitude of causes.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“It will undoubtedly be conducive to an improved international climate of trade policy. Finland looks towards the negotiations ahead with confidence and expects that the new round will lead to further trade liberalization, to the strengthening of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) system and to a better response in the face of the evolving international economic cooperation and international relations in general. The positive developments in the international economic co-operation which I have just mentioned should form a basis for further progress on pending important international economic issues such as those in the interrelated areas of money, finance, debt and trade. In this connection the role of the United Nations in the economic field should be clarified.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“They can and should also be applied in other parts of the developing world. And they should be supported and complemented by external resources from industrialized countries. This is highly important especially now, when the implementation of such complex developmental programs requiring difficult measures of economic adjustment is being carried out. In the area of international economic co-operation there are fewer and fewer issues which lend themselves to unilateral action. The open multilateral trading system is of crucial importance to the economic development of all countries and particularly the developing countries. In the view of my Government the decision reached at Punta del Este to launch a new round of multilateral trade negotiations was of essential importance.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Its full implementation is now an obligation for the international community. For its part Finland has already started to incorporate the APPER program into Finnish development co-operation with Africa. It is important, in our view, that the donor governments also bear in mind the financial needs of the APPER program when decisions on replenishment levels are made in various international financial institutions. The objectives of the APPER program also serve to illustrate the interdependence of different aspects of economic development. The program strengthens, in practical terms, the understanding of the interrelationship between the environment, the use of natural resources and population growth. Awareness on these issues is spreading. In this respect concrete policy measures are being outlined in APPER.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“It also testifies to the continuing commitment of the 35 participating States to the implementation of the provisions of the Final Act. The Vienna follow-up meeting of the CSCE will offer a renewed opportunity to review what has been accomplished and to chart the future course of the CSCE process. Another positive development in recent international co-operation is the successful included special session of the General Assembly on the critical economic situation in Africa last May. The African Governments have shown determination in reviewing their domestic policies and in adjusting their economies to the hard internal and external realities of today's economic environment. The international community endorsed this new orientation by adopting unanimously the African Priority Program for Economic Recovery (APPER).”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Particularly an agreement on a comprehensive test ban would be an important disarmament measure. We appeal for such an agreement and we give our support to all measures, including a moratorium on tests, wMch could lead to such an agreement. In Europe, considerable progress has been made in the framework of the process of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE). A lot has been done and the past CSCE expert meetings and conferences in all three important areas of the Final Act - in security questions, in economic relations and in the humanitarian area - give substantial ground for further co-operation. The outcome of the Stockholm Conference opa>s widening possibilities for increasing mutual confidence among the European nations and thus provides enhanced stability and security in our continent.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)