YouSaid · the spoken record

BONGO

lines on the record: 401
first: 1976-09-24
most recent: 1993-09-24
sittings or episodes: 15
sources: un-general-debate

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“The political commitment has been made, but it must be associated with consistent follow-up measures to implement these provisions. This is a struggle that we must all of us become involved in. Anxious to take into account the role of women in the political, economic, social and cultural fields, the Gabonese Government, through the Ministry responsible for the status of women, is working towards making this commitment a reality. The sessions of the General Assembly are for Member States an excellent opportunity to seek together ways and means of attaining the noble objectives of the Charter. Is not one of its most important goals "To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character"?”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In this connection, we would like to congratulate the Japanese authorities on their initiative in organizing the International Conference on African Development, scheduled to be held in Tokyo in October. We hope that Conference will serve as the basis for a real and lasting partnership. In this context, the proposal made by the President of the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session in his opening address that we create an agenda for development should enjoy the full support of our Organization. In conclusion, turning to our country’s development problems, I feel that I must draw the attention of the Assembly to the decisive role to be played by women. Our Organization has adopted resolutions and declarations on this subject.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Already experiencing such a restrictive economic environment, how can we in my country welcome the idea of an energy tax and not deplore the threat of a boycott of our forest products by ecological groups in the industrialized countries? As to the forest, the Gabon authorities have always favoured the long-term management of our forests, through a logical policy of reforestation conforming with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. My country stresses the need to maintain every aspect of the Rio spirit aimed at managing world problems in a global manner, and to promote the emergence of a new partnership in international economic and financial relations. Gabon considers this new approach to be a possible avenue for the development of our countries.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As representative of the host country at these important meetings, and on behalf of the States of the subregion, it is my honour and privilege to invite the General Assembly in due course to endorse the draft resolution, which will be submitted to it for consideration. What is truly at stake for Africa is essentially the economy. It will determine to a great extent the preservation of unity, peace and security on our continent. In that regard, the marginalization of Africa in the world economy - as a Forty-eighth session - 30 September l993 41 result of the decline of its commodity prices, the reversal of financial resource flows from our countries to the international financial institutions, and the debt burden - has only grown during the past five years.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Regarding the creation of a permanent inter-State crisis management headquarters, with a view to establishing a subregional peace-keeping force, the Committee recommended transitional measures, including the involvement of ECCAS in the field of security; a study of features and types of crises and conflicts; and the creation of a non-permanent committee of subregional staff offices. It further recommended that the United Nations be asked for assistance to carry out a study on a balanced and gradual reduction of the armed forces, equipment and military budgets of member States. Finally, the Committee adopted a draft non-aggression pact between the ECCAS member States and decided to submit it to Heads of State or Government of the subregion for signature.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In the course of its work the Committee stressed the advantages for all States of the subregion of ratifying international legal instruments on disarmament matters. It recommended that its Bureau play a more committed political role in seeking solutions to crises and conflicts likely to disturb the peace of a member State. It encouraged States in the subregion to pursue and strengthen the democratization process already under way, while respecting and promoting human rights.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The progress made by last 13 January, when the chemical-weapons Convention was signed, shows the international community’s determination to ban weapons of mass destruction, particularly chemical weapons, and its readiness to work for general and complete disarmament. For its part, my country is working towards that end, just as it is promoting confidence-building measures in central Africa. It was in keeping with this involvement that we hosted the third meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee on security questions in our subregion. This meeting was notable for bringing together, for the first time, all States members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“If it is to meet all the expectations, it must adapt its main organs to the demands of the times. We welcome the ongoing reform and revitalization process and hope that it will include consideration of equitable representation in the Security Council and an increase in the number of its members. One area which our Organization must explore further is that of preventive diplomacy, as set forth by the Secretary- General in his "An Agenda for Peace". Reflecting that trend, the Organization of African Unity has just created machinery to prevent, manage and settle conflicts. If it is to be effective, this new machinery must be integrated into the framework of global disarmament.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We make an urgent appeal to the parties concerned to return to the negotiating table and lay down their arms. The Conferences recently held in Vienna and Geneva on human rights and the protection of the victims of war, respectively, were opportunities for our Organization to reaffirm its commitment to defending human rights. Gabon, which has always given these questions their due consideration, encourages all United Nations efforts to protect human rights. It would thus be appropriate to strengthen existing structures with additional human and financial resources so as to promote the efficiency sought by our Organization in this area. Never has our Organization been called on to such a degree by the international community as in the past few years.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In that regard, my country supports all United Nations initiatives, particularly Security Council resolution 833 (1993), aimed at ensuring respect for the inviolability of the international boundary between Iraq and Kuwait, in accordance with the terms of the 1963 arrangements. In South-East Asia we welcome the decisive role played by the United Nations in the restoration of peace in Cambodia. The holding of free and fair elections in May 1993, the creation of the Constituent Assembly, and the return to the throne of His Royal Highness Prince Norodom Sihanouk all illustrate the United Nations commitment and the confirmed solidarity of the international community. The tragedy unfolding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the serious threat of the conflict’s spreading to the entire subregion are a source of concern for my country.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In that brother country, so close to my own, the perpetuation of the situation leads me to praise the tireless efforts of the United Nations and all other initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security. As in the past, Gabon will spare no efforts to help achieve a lasting settlement of that conflict. In the Middle East the mutual recognition of Israel and the PLO, as well as the recent signing of the interim 40 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session arrangements for the autonomy of Gaza and Jericho, were welcomed with relief and deep satisfaction by my country. We dare hope that this historic agreement will promote reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and the establishment of a climate of peace and cooperation in the region.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“While praising the efforts of the United Nations to bring peace and national reconciliation to the country, we believe that the time has perhaps come for the international community to give priority to the path of dialogue and negotiation. The situation in Liberia remains a source of concern, despite the hopes raised by the signing of the Cotonou Agreement on 25 July 1993. We call on the parties concerned to begin strict implementation of that Agreement. We make a similar appeal to the parties to the conflicts in Mozambique, Rwanda and Angola. Turning specifically to Angola, I note that the optimism prevailing after the Bicesse Peace Accords soon gave way to disappointment born of the resumption of hostilities.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In that spirit, we urge all other parties to accede to the agreement creating the Council and hope they will work towards its full implementation. Gabon believes that the changes taking place in South Africa will have a definite impact on the democratization process in Africa and on the continent’s development. We therefore hope that the appeal made here on 24 September 1993 by President Nelson Mandela for the lifting of economic sanctions and the establishment of diplomatic relations with South Africa will be heard and acted upon. In Somalia too many innocent victims continue to pay the heavy daily price of violence.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The end of the cold war has made it possible to establish new kinds of relations between States and to open the way to a new era of hope, peace and solidarity, promoting conflict prevention, better ways of dealing with acute problems and the settlement of many of the conflicts threatening international peace and security. It is from that perspective that we should view the recent initiatives which the Organization and the international community have undertaken. Gabon welcomes with great interest the most recent political developments in South Africa. We welcome the creation of a Transitional Executive Council, which will allow South Africans for the first time to take part in building a new, democratic, non-racial and united South Africa.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Our congratulations also go to the outgoing President, Mr. Stoyan Ganev of Bulgaria, who discharged his duties so honourably and ably. To our Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, I repeat our firm support for his many efforts on behalf of world peace and security. Lastly, we should like to welcome the new countries that have just joined the great family of the United Nations and to assure them of our friendship and readiness to work with them to achieve the noble purposes for the attainment of which the Organization was founded.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I should like first to take this opportunity to extend to the delegation of India the sincerest condolences of the delegation of Gabon on the earthquake that has just hit the region of Sholapur. The present session of the General Assembly is convened at a crucial juncture in the history of international relations. A number of significant events have occurred on the world stage in the past few years. In that context the election of Ambassador Samuel Insanally as President of the General Assembly is particularly significant. It is a tribute not only to his qualities as an enlightened diplomatic, well versed in international questions, but to the tireless work of Guyana, his country, on behalf of peace. On behalf of the delegation of Gabon, I extend to him our warmest congratulations on his election to preside over this session.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“8) We are talking here about the advent of this new international order a world that is better and more human, one in which there is real solidarity.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Therefore, we shall be very pleased to host, in Libreville in January-February 1993, the first African meetings as a follow-up to the Rio Conference, and we extend a cordial welcome to the representatives of participating States, and wish them a pleasant stay in Gabon. I should like to conclude my remarks by calling for more solidarity - solidarity in the settlement of disputes, in international security, in co-operative relations between States and peoples, in relations between international financial institutions, and in relations between all our countries, without discrimination. In his report on the activities of the Organization the Secretary-General says: "We need a new spirit of commonality, commitment and intellectual creativity to transform a period of hope into an era of fulfilment." (A/47/1, para.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Undoubtedly development was one of the main objectives that the founding fathers assigned to the Organization, but security needs have pushed international cooperation in this area into the background. Its reinstatement should take the form of a crusade against underdevelopment. I should like to refer here to the concept of sustainable development, which was mentioned at Rio in connection with my country's rational use of its forest lands. Gabon, which has long since advanced from the stage of simple harvesting to that of ecological management of its forest lands, could not fail to adhere to the two conventions of Sio the conventions on biodiversity and on climatic changes.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“These subjects have introduced a new set of problems into international thinking, and they require urgent and innovative solutions. In this connection, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development has proved correct the vision of solidarity of those who have always felt that the well-being of nations comes from consultation rather than confrontation. That Conference was a striking illustration of the ill-adaptedness of the economic choices imposed here and there in the world, by comparison with the resources available on the planet, and, I am quite certain, by comparison with the real needs of our populations. The fact that this coincided with the end of the cold war should make development as important a concept as that of collective security, which has always been one of the main concerns of the United Nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The conditions that are necessary for the preservation of the environment, which is the real heritage of mankind, should not be one-sided. The new concept of international law and the new international order, to which I have referred already, can be reviewed and corrected, and should take into account the new terms of world equilibrium. Otherwise, economic growth and democratic development will be jeopardized. Despite the acute nature of the various problems to which I have just referred, our Organization has a very gratifying record in the political and diplomatic fields. It should also demonstrate its ability to meet the new challenges facing mankind today. These include the questions of the environment, AIDS and drugs.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The success of this new form of cooperation effective solidarity between peoples will affect the future of our planet and facilitate improvement of the human condition. I am quite certain that no delegation present at this meeting would like the cold war to be replaced by North-South confrontation. That being the case, it might seem illusory to pose certain problems albeit major problems concerning the environment - if, at the same time, solutions are not proposed for the benefit of those countries that have to exploit their raw materials in a more or less intensive way. Let us not be hypocritical. This is a requirement for survival, as was demonstrated recently at the Rio summit on the environment and, quite recently, at the summit of non-aligned countries.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“First, it should stabilize, at a remunerative level, the prices of non-petroleum products; secondly, it should readjust the international monetary system by rationalizing policy on interest and exchange rates; finally, it should provide a substantial increase in public aid to African countries. In other words, we are advocating the creation and implementation of a sort of "Marshall plan" for the African continent. Generally speaking, the problem of combating underdevelopment is of central concern to all of mankind. This is why solidarity should not be selective. Nor should it be confined to mere declarations of intent the purpose of which is to ease one's conscience. It should, for example, take the form of a re-initiation of the process of negotiation on commodity agreements.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Africa, 70 per cent of whose exports consist of prime commodities, has been hard hit by the detrimental effects of the fall in the prices of those commodities, and it faces economic problems in addition to that of indebtedness. Again, Africa has undertaken a programme of economic reform, whose results because of the need simultaneously to implement political reforms and the desire of Governments to achieve consensus in respect of these programmes - have been very slow to emerge. For all these reasons the international community should promote action in three directions.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It would be in the interests of no one, especially the international community, if the African countries were to go into a downward spiral of economic decline and indebtedness. Today everyone knows that the measures that have been advocated with a view to enabling our continent to escape from this impasse have, for the most part, proved to be inapplicable because they are inappropriate. The balance of payments of some of our countries has been affected by the international monetary system, which influences international exchanges. Therefore, it is urgent that the international community give much more backing to the developing countries, so that they and the African countries in particular may participate in world growth.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We can therefore say that, generally speaking, in recent years the world has progressed to some extent towards greater solidarity among all peoples. But there are still serious grounds for concern. Despite the progress made on the debt problem, through the so-called Toronto, Houston and London measures, the question of cancelling the debts of the least developed countries, and considerably reducing them for the other developing countries, remains a burning issue, particularly for the so-called middle-income countries. Up to now Gabon, which falls into that category, has not benefited from any of these measures, whereas at the same time it has seen a sharp drop in its per capita income.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In the same vein, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has advocated for some years now constructive negotiations between producers and consumers in order to strike a better balance between world supply and demand. The efforts of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCIAD) are along the same lines. In this struggle for development, we realize that the United Nations has taken a number of initiatives, the most recent of which are: the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade, the United Nations Programme for the Economic Recovery of Africa, the Cartagena Consensus and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Economics now has a more prominent place in international relations. The creation of an increasing number of subregional and regional economic groupings, as well as the globalization of international trade, have turned our world into one immense market whose working rules should be equitable. The international community very quickly realized this requirement for complementarity and solidarity when, in 1974, it established a new international economic order. Similarly, multilateral organizations, such as the European Economic Community, by creating machinery to regulate world trade, have clearly evidenced their desire to come to the assistance of the poorer countries by creating the STABEX and SYSMIN systems.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In so doing, the United Nations could acquire more extended powers, and hence given the appropriate means, which would enable it to exercise that right, if need be, without any discrimination whatsoever. In his most recent report on the work of the Organization, in 1991, the former Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, wrote: "No system of collective security will remain viable unless workable solutions are sought to the problem of poverty and destitution, afflicting the greater part of the world." (A/46/1, p. 12. VIII) That is why United Nations action would also stand to gain if it were similarly strengthened in the economic and financial fields. In this way, it should continue in the direction it has already taken in order the better to adapt itself to the new challenges facing mankind.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Hence, for some years now, a new concept has appeared on the international scene, and that is the "right to interference". It would appear, a priori, to be contradictory with these very principles of "national sovereignty", "territorial integrity", and particularly "non-interference in the internal affairs of States", which underlie peaceful relations among States. But to assure that this right is not selective or abused, its exercise should be the exclusive responsibility of the United Nations. Furthermore, calling into question certain of these principles is not necessarily a negative step. That step should be taken whenever these principles themselves have led to crises.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Furthermore, as President Bongo requested from this rostrum, first in 1977, when he was President of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and then during the fortieth session of the General Assembly, the countries of the third world should now be represented in the Security Council as permanent members, in order to make decision making at that level more democratic. International law is being completely rethought. Hallowed concepts of yesteryear, such as "national sovereignty", "territorial integrity" and, above all, "non-interference in the internal affairs of States", behind which the international community was finding it more and more difficult to hide its uneasy conscience, are now being given a new normative content.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Generally speaking, all Member States expect our Organization to play a decisive role in peace-keeping and in maintaining international security, as well as in the eradication of poverty and in the struggle against famine. That is why my country wholeheartedly supports the recommendations of the Secretary-General contained in his "Agenda for Peace". If it is to serve its purpose the Organization must restructure its main organs in the light of the current international situation. To this end, the political role of the General Assembly and the supervisory functions of the Economic and Social Council should be further strengthened in order to make the entire United Nations system more dynamic.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“With respect to the Arab-Israeli conflict, at the core of which is still the question of Palestine, the new spirit now pervading international relations, as well as the desire to reach a diplomatic solution voiced by the parties involved, are conducive to giving a fresh and lasting impetus to the peace process begun in Madrid in October 1991 which is currently continuing in Washington. How can we remain indifferent to the tragedy we are witnessing in the former Yugoslavia, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Quite clearly, what we have here is a major challenge where humanitarian assistance, even with the help of military logistics, is not sufficient. Gabon, which wishes to see a speedy peaceful outcome to this conflict, highly commends the leading role now being played by the United Nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The promises of the South African Government gave some comfort to all those who want a positive outcome to the situation in that country so that it can join the comity of nations through the resumption of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (COPESA) talks. But nothing at the present time would allow the international community to relax its pressure nor to reduce its vigilance with-respect to Pretoria, particularly as our Organization, whose recent initiatives deserve to be encouraged, is urgently demanding the application of the principle one-man, one-vote.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Indeed, the system of apartheid has still not disappeared from the South African political landscape. To be sure, a few months ago, under unprecedented international pressure, the Government in Pretoria committed itself to a policy of reform designed to eradicate this odious system. But for some months now we have been witnessing an intensification of violence as a means of political expression. The Boipatong massacre and the Ciskei events are unfortunate examples which undermine the efforts to promote dialogue, which Gabon and the international community at large so earnestly seek.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The international community clearly provides the necessary means for all those who, despite their own difficulties, are making a contribution to bringing about peace in those countries. With respect to the situations in the Sudan, Rwanda, Niger, Mali and Chad, the Government of Gabon will support all initiatives to bring about a peaceful settlement of the disputes between members of the same family. With respect to the situations in the Sudan, Rwanda, Niger, Mali and Chad, the Government of Gabon will support all initiatives to bring about a peaceful settlement of the disputes between members of the same family. It is in this spirit that Gabon has often offered its good offices in the settlement of conflicts in Africa. The case of South Africa is of deepest concern to us.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In this connection the Government of Gabon very much valued the meetings in Rome on 7 August and in Gabarone on 18 September between President Chissano and the leader of RENAMO, Mr. Alfonso Phlakama. In another region of the continent, the situation in Liberia is also a matter of grave concern. For two years now efforts to bring about peace on the part of the Economic Community of West African States have encountered obstacles despite the presence among the belligerents of 7,000 "White Helmets" of the disengagement forces of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). Apart from subregional action, which is highly commendable, the United Nations has provided welcome aid to the Liberian population.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Is it not indeed scandalous that in our day and age war and the use of force are still the means preferred by some to settle intercommunity problems? Undoubtedly, this is a challenge to our collective intelligence. In Somalia, as elsewhere, in a tremendous upsurge of human solidarity we must make a collective effort to put an end to the fratricidal confrontations in order to rebuild trust between communities linked by history and geography that perforce must live in harmony. For its part, and particularly in the case of Somalia, Gabon has taken concrete steps along these lines. This appeal equally applies to Mozambique, where natural catastrophes have seriously exacerbated the complexity of a conflict on which discussions are now under way.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Since the end of the East-West confrontation our Organization has been demonstrating its ability fully to play the role assigned it by the Charter whenever Member States act collectively. It has demonstrated this particularly in Afghanistan, Central America, Cambodia, Kuwait and Namibia. This solidarity should be even more effective in settling other conflicts which, regrettably, we witness elsewhere. At the very opening of this session, the situation in Somalia is particularly disquieting. How can we remain unmoved when we daily see on our television screens faces bearing the imprint of war, disease and hunger? How can we remain indifferent to the pain and tragedy of millions of women and children whose only aspiration is to live in peace in their own environment and to seek better development?”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“To the Secretary-General, whose recent election to head our Organization honours all of Africa, we should like to reiterate our full support for everything he is doing to promote preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace-keeping, and particularly the peaceful advent of a new world order. His great diplomatic experience is a guarantee of the fulfilment of his commitment to carry out to the best of his ability his delicate and noble mission in the service of the entire world community. Finally, we welcome all those new States which have come upon the international political scene recently. Their arrival, we are certain, will strengthen the universality of our Organization and contribute to strengthening the bonds of solidarity between Member States.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“May I first. Sir, on behalf of my delegation and on behalf of the Government and people of Gabon, convey to Ambassador Stoyan Ganev of Bulgaria our warm congratulations on his well-deserved election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session. His personal qualities and experience in international affairs undoubtedly guarantee the success of our work. Our congratulations also go to the outgoing President, Ambassador Samir Shihabi of Saudi Arabia, whom we thank for the dynamic and exemplary way in which he discharged his duties.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“At the dawn of the next millennium, the challenges of tomorrow's world, like those of today's, must be met by all of us; they require us to coordinate our efforts so that we may draw ever closer to the Organization's goals. This is particularly necessary because new generations will judge us by the way in which we have met the major challenges of today and helped to solve those of tomorrow. In this connection Gabon sincerely hopes that at this session Member States will make a firm commitment to revitalize international cooperation and to strengthen dialogue and peace among nations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Indeed, the path that lies before our countries today, the path of greater freedom and democracy, can only buttress the concept expressed in the world Report on Human Development recently issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which recommended "a participatory form of development in which the human person would be at the heart of the decision-making process." We wish to state at this stage that the North, which has no interest in seeing Africa marginalised in the new world economic order, must help in its development in order to ensure that the process of democratisation under way in our countries may continue and become irreversible.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We know that the international community has the necessary resources to do this. The establishment of institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of Eastern and Central Europe is eloquent proof of what can be accomplished given determination and political will. Aspects related to rescheduling that debt should also be examined in future consultations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The fart that these programmes aid accompanied by social claims related to the liberalization of African political system, considerably intensifies the difficulties which the Governments of African countries are facing. The improvement of the economic situation of our continent, therefore, must be achieved through the restructuring of international economic relations, which takes into account not only the interests of the North, but also those of the South, especially the constant decline in the price of commodities and the burning question of the debt. That African debt, which today stands in excess of $270 billion, should be the focus of solutions by groups of countries - such as middle-level-income ones - which have so far not been the object of any relief measures.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“To date, the economic and social situation of Africa has deteriorated dramatically, despite the many programmes and reforms adopted, for example, the Lagos Plan of Action for the Development of Africa from 1980 to the Year 2000, or the United Nations Programme of Action for the Economic Restructuring and Development of Africa. The first consequence of this situation is Africa's inability to implement true Investment programmes which would help to revitalise its economic growth and development. He need only note the results of the recent work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Final Review and Appraisal, which did not come up to our expectations. Moreover, international financial institutions have advocated the establishment of structural adjustment programmes. Unfortunately, these entail social costs which have adverse effects for our people.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“But here and now, my country, which has one of the largest forest reserves in the world, feels that the solution to environmental problems must take duly into account the requirements of development in all their aspects, and in particular the regional social and economic situation. Encouraging measures taken in this way to combat these problems, namely, drugs and AID8, together with the protection of the environment, and the reduction of regional conflicts, cannot be dissociated from efforts to combat the serious disparities which still characterise international economic relations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In the context of the struggle against drugs, my country, with the support of the United Nations and friendly countries, has established a central office to combat drug abuse and a team of toxicologists at Libreville, which is regional in nature. The same is true of the drive to combat AIDS. Gabon, with the assistance of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme, has prepared a medium-term plan. However, we feel that a global approach to these problems would enable us to find answers to these problems which threaten the future of mankind. With respect to the environment, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, which is to be held next June in Brazil, will afford an opportunity to show that our Organization can be effective when it is mobilized for a lofty cause.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“As the spectre of the confrontation of blocs, which originally gave rise to the accumulation of the most murderous weapons of mass destruction, moves into the background, we can envisage the implementation of the programme of action adopted by the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development. Beyond this regional analysis, a number of problems concern the international community as a whole. Actually, a number of very serious problems still threaten the balance of our planet. For example, just to mention a few, there are the problems of drugs, AIDS and of the deterioration of the environment.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Gabon is following very closely the developments taking place in Yugoslavia, a country with which we are still bound by excellent ties of friendship and cooperation. That is why I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the mediation efforts of the European Economic Community to find a peaceful solution to this conflict, because, here as elsewhere, disputes must be solved through dialogue. Generally speaking, therefore, one could say that the end of the cold war and of the "policy of blocs", which I have just mentioned, should favour the restoration of just and lasting peace throughout the world.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)