YouSaid · the spoken record

Pursoo

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS PURSOO

lines on the record: 60
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1994-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“As we embark upon preparations for the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1995, let us train our sights on the factors that brought the United Nations into being in the first instance and on what gives the Organization its special worthiness. The challenge is to attain and maintain long-term global peace and stability and to enhance the prospects for solving global problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian nature. To this end, we as a community of nations must rededicate ourselves to working ever relentlessly and concertedly towards the goal of making our planet a safer, better and happier place in which to live.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“While the United Nations Charter recognizes the right of States to take measures in self-defence, the reality is that often small States faced with serious threats lack the means to do so. Small States invariably look to the provisions of the United Nations Charter to secure respect for and preservation of their sovereignty. It is therefore necessary that the protection and security of small States remain a very pertinent issue among the concerns of the United Nations. The tasks of the organs and bodies of the United Nations are by no means easy. Old tensions have given way to new tensions and concerns, which demand imaginative approaches if solutions are to be found.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The inclusion of the Republic of China in Taiwan in the United Nations would further contribute to global cooperation in trade, economic development and environmental and ecological protection. In addition, it would assist in the promotion of international development assistance to developing countries. Grenada believes that a committee should be set up to examine the exceptional nature of the situation of the Republic of China in the present international context. So long as drug traffickers and international arms dealers continue to ply their trade, and so long as mercenaries, terrorists and other adventurists exist, the protection and security of small States will remain particularly vulnerable to acts of aggression, from without as well as from within.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Reforms currently being undertaken in the United Nations system provide an opportunity to examine the question of expanding the Security Council and the question of the veto power in the light of these new realities. Grenada supports the principle of universality and encourages the General Assembly to give renewed consideration to the wish of the Republic of China - a founding Member of the United Nations - to participate in the Organization and its specialized agencies as a full Member. We believe that this appeal from the 21 million people of the Republic of China in Taiwan for a voice and proper representation in the international community 13 is both moral and legitimate.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Likewise, in this the International Year of the Family and beyond, emphasis should continue to be placed on the pivotal role of the family in national and global development. The end of the cold-war era presents opportunities for a shift from political and ideological divide to cooperation in the areas of economic and social development. New economic Powers on the world scene seek to occupy positions that were once the prerogative of the traditional super-Powers. Grenada believes that the structure of the organs of the United Nations should reflect these new developments and, at the same time, make provision for geographical representation that is consistent with today’s global, political and economic realities.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We also wish to convey our appreciation to the relief agencies and others whose tireless efforts have saved lives, restored health to the sick and hungry and brought comfort to countless victims - particularly women and children. My delegation wishes to underscore the importance of human rights, freedom and good governance as vital preconditions to domestic quietude, international harmony and the creation of the climate necessary for the achievement of progress within societies. In this regard, the promotion and protection of the rights of children is an issue that cries out for greater attention. The well-being of children cannot wait for the unprompted evolution of societies. Deliberate efforts must be expedited at various levels, global and national, to ensure the promotion and protection of children’s rights.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Grenada is encouraged by the diplomatic efforts in the search for a permanent solution to the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We commend the United Nations for its resolve and determination in this regard. We fully support the establishment of the International Tribunal to try allegations of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. By the same token, Grenada fully supports similar initiatives in response to situations in other parts of the world, where these are deemed appropriate. In the light of the unfortunate circumstances in Rwanda that resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, and bearing in mind other situations of human devastation, Grenada wishes to express its satisfaction with the responses from those members of the international community that have gone to the aid of people in various sorry situations.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We hope that, on the contrary, the developed countries will appreciate the need to assist the poorer countries to gain access to the technologies and technological know-how necessary to the promotion of more-balanced development on a global scale. Stability within and between States is a prerequisite for international peace and security. Grenada is encouraged by certain developments, beginning almost a year ago with the signing of the historic peace treaty between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. We believe that the emergence of self-rule in Jericho and Gaza is of great significance. We look forward to further positive developments in the Middle East peace process and wish all the countries in that region the peace and stability upon which lasting prosperity will be built.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We will be asked to rule particularly in the interest of youth, the aged, the disabled and all those outside the mainstream of social integration. Grenada is confident that the World Summit for Social Development and all the other follow-ups to the Rio Conference are replacing despair with hope worldwide. At the same time, we are concerned about the different spins that may be put on the interpretation of those agreements. For example, we are concerned that environmental causes should not be used as barriers to access for goods produced in developing countries to the markets of those with more prosperous economies.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Grenada is encouraged by the consensus which emerged from the recently concluded International Conference on Population and Development 12 at Cairo, and we are hopeful that increasingly balanced development will be viewed as the essential basis on which to treat the issue of population. We are also confident that the Conference on Women to be held at Beijing in 1995 will address one of the long- standing issues critical to development, that is, the issue of women in development. In March of 1995 world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to address one of the most pressing questions of our time, the question of social development. We will be asked to rule on the debilitating issues of poverty, meaningful employment and social inclusion.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We applaud the Secretary-General’s report "An Agenda for Development" and we applaud the former President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Samuel Insanally, for his visionary initiative in organizing the World Hearings on Development in June of this year. We urge that the momentum gained therefrom be maintained, and we wish to place on record our support for Brazil’s call for a global conference on development in the year 1996. The question of population and development is a very sensitive issue, one that demands continuous conscientious global effort.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“My delegation therefore looks forward to the fulfilment of the obligations of the developed countries that have pledged their commitment to assist developing countries and, in particular, small island developing States, in the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of Agenda 21, the conventions on climate change and biodiversity and all the follow-up conferences of the Rio Conference. For several years Grenada has expressed its concern at the apparent unbalanced resource commitment to security issues versus development. Consequently, my delegation commends recently expanded efforts aimed at giving greater prominence to the development needs confronting the world, particularly in the developing countries.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The advances made since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development must be built upon, and in this regard the importance of forging new global partnerships between developed and developing countries ought to be given priority. The protection of the global climate and biological diversity, the sustainable use and conservation of all marine resources and the protection of our oceans and high seas require urgent international assistance and cooperation.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“But, more often than not, we cannot do it alone, and this is why my delegation appeals to the developed countries to be considerate of our fragile economies and the need to adapt to this seemingly hostile economic environment. The recent success of the United Nations Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, held in Barbados, and the adoption of its Programme of Action underscore the urgent need for international co-operation and assistance, not only in the form of financial resources for the implementation of the Programme of Action, but also in access to markets, acquisition of new technologies and institutional and human-resource development, so as to enable us to respond more capably to the challenges of finding new paths to sustainable development.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The removal of access to market arrangements traditionally favourable to fledgling industries in our societies - the banana industry, for example - compounds our difficulties and presents a major threat to the overall well-being of our small economies. Furthermore, the creation of the World Trade Organization would most definitely change the face of international trade, and while every independent nation has the opportunity to become a party to that Organization and thus attempt to influence its operations, it is evident that, on that score, equality will not necessarily ensure equity. We are cognizant of the fact that we must now seek to enhance our productivity and competitiveness in carefully selected areas if we are to survive in this era of trade liberalization.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“While all the implications of NAFTA are not yet known, we must nevertheless now seek to position our economies to interface with the realities of this new economic environment. In that context, the conclusion of the latest round of the negotiations of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has very far-reaching consequences for trade. The requirements of trade liberalization and reciprocity mean that small island developing States like Grenada must now interact on the same playing field as the more developed countries, which, in effect, signals a rapid erosion of the preferential treatment that some of us have enjoyed over the past two decades.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Despite the good fiscal performance, the structural- adjustment programme has not been able to achieve its targets in terms of the growth rate of the gross domestic product. Thus, over the next two years much emphasis will be placed on achieving a reasonable rate of economic growth. In addition, efforts to reduce the fiscal deficits further will continue to be vigorously pursued. You, Mr. President, are well aware that a topic of particular currency in the area of international economic relations is the issue of trade and investment. Of course, over the past months new trading blocs have been created, with the result that in the Western Hemisphere we now have several such arrangements, which include the very important North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The Government has significantly reduced the fiscal deficits from 25 per cent of gross domestic product in 1992 to 11 per cent in 1993 and 9 per cent to date. Moreover, Grenada’s credit rating has improved notably, with its creditworthiness restored by the World Bank in June of this year after having been forfeited in 1988. Whatever success has been recorded by that programme is a credit to regionalism, since the programme was instituted with enormous regional inputs. Grenada wishes publicly to thank the regional Governments and 11 institutions which contributed to the effort. This particular development means that Grenada is now viewed more favourably by the multilateral and specialized donor agencies and friendly Governments in terms of external financial assistance for its development programmes.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It is therefore only natural that Grenada should wish Haiti well and should be prepared to support democracy in that country as fully as we do. Over the last several years many of the small developing countries within this Organization have been experiencing growing economic problems. The forced response has been to take stringent corrective measures aimed at stabilizing their economies and creating the conditions for sustainable development. Speaking specifically of my own country, Grenada, I can inform the Assembly that in 1992 we embarked on a voluntary three- year structural adjustment programme in an effort to correct serious fiscal imbalances and to put the country on a path of sustained growth. This year marks the end of the programme, and I am happy to report that some success has been achieved.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We support the actions taken by the United States of America and other multinational forces in implementation of United Nations resolutions on Haiti, and we join like-minded nations as they move to establish the structures in which development and democracy can be sustained. Grenada is prepared to do its part to ensure a more fertile ground for the growth of democracy in Haiti, our sister Caribbean country. We are proud that, within the limits of our resources, personnel from Grenada’s law enforcement services are among the multinational contingent to help in "Operation Uphold Democracy". After all, it was 11 years ago this month that Grenada itself profited from a similar multinational operation, affording us the historic opportunity to restore democratic principles to our way of life.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Grenada is pleased to welcome the new South Africa to the United Nations, and we pay special tribute to His Excellency President Nelson Mandela for his resolute will and firm determination in the fight against apartheid, which eventually resulted in this new, democratic and non-racial South Africa. Grenada is pleased that in recent efforts to bring an end to the illegal seizure of power by the military in Haiti and to halt the ensuing human rights abuses there diplomacy prevailed and further bloodshed was averted. We now eagerly await the reinstatement of the duly elected Government and its President, Father Jean- Bertrand Aristide, and the return of democracy to Haiti.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“My delegation is pleased to convey warmest greetings from the Government and people of Grenada to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session. We also wish to extend sincere congratulations to Your Excellency Mr. Amara Essy, Foreign Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, on your election to the presidency of this session. The Government of Grenada takes this opportunity to commend Ambassador Samuel Insanally, the first representative from the Caribbean ever to hold the high office of President of the General Assembly, for his exemplary conduct of the proceedings of the forty-eighth session. We are indeed proud of his performance. Grenada also wishes to express profound appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his relentless efforts in the pursuit of the purposes of this Organization.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In this regard my Government takes this opportunity to encourage measures aimed at enhancing the fuller participation and welfare of disabled persons in their respective societies. Despite the tremendous amount of work to be done in order to build and consolidate democracy and improve the standard of living for peoples everywhere, Grenada believe that, with the collective efforts of all States and the purposeful involvement of the United Nations, our aspirations will be achieved.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We recognize the importance of a financially strong United Nations with the capacity to deal effectively with problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, to promote peace, security, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At the same time, it is true that many Governments are experiencing severe difficulties in meeting their primary financial obligations. It is hardly the time for additional commitments due to reckless causes and senseless conflicts. As we approach the end of the International Decade of Disabled Persons, we must acknowledge that too little has been done to enable disabled persons to see themselves as equal citizens.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“My delegation wishes to encourage greater efforts to realize the benefits of peace dividends and to channel them towards those needs. The Government of Grenada is cognizant of the challenging efforts at revitalization being undertaken throughout the United Nations system so as to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We anticipate that this revitalization will emphasize the priorities of the countries most in need the developing countries. We are convinced that the regional economic commissions are in a good position to deal with a wide range of development issues and should thus be given greater autonomy in the implementation of regional programmes. The financial difficulties confronting the United Nations are of deep concern to Grenada, as I am sure they are to many Member States.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Over the last year, numerous initiatives to reinstate ousted Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide have been frustrated. Sanctions announced by the Organization of American States have not produced the anticipated results because of the evident unwillingness of some countries to enforce the measures. My Government wishes to reiterate its support for the return to power of the constitutionally elected Government of Haiti and calls upon the international community to continue to support the restoration of Haiti's democracy. The international community is now reasonably expecting greater United Nations involvement in the maintenance of global peace and security. At the same time, more attention and resources are expected to be focused on the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian needs of the developing countries.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The persistent violence clearly threatens the negotiating process and delays the transition to a democratic South Africa. We are concerned that while strides have been made to dismantle the pillars of apartheid, greater efforts must be made to accelerate the pace of reforms, so as to enhance the climate for free political activity and genuine democracy. The Government of Grenada therefore welcomes recent positive signals pointing to the resumption of dialogue between the African National Congress and the Government of South Africa. My Government also welcomes the peace talks currently taking place among the key parties to the Middle East conflict and wishes to counsel continued dialogue and flexibility in order to bring lasting solutions to that region's problems.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is distressing to note that, while progress has been made in the political sphere in terms of the peaceful resolution of certain conflicts and the abatement of ideological tensions, the nerves of the international community are being shaken by the situation in the Balkans, most specifically, by the evidence of what is being described as "ethnic cleansing". Recognizing that peace and stability are essential to the promotion of social progress, the Government of Grenada wishes to reaffirm its support for United Nations attempts to halt the fighting in Yugoslavia, and we call upon the international community to act in a concerted manner to put a stop to what could escalate into a larger and more intractable conflict. My Government continues to be keenly interested in the situation in South Africa.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Indeed, the security and sovereign integrity of our State, the rule of law and the well-being of our economic and financial institutions demand that we persevere in this fight. My Government wishes to take advantage of this occasion to express its appreciation for the efforts undertaken by a number of developed countries to assist developing nations in the campaign against the drug trade. We appeal for increased multilateral support to institute comprehensive measures aimed at the reduction of demand, interdiction, the rehabilitation of victims, and appropriate punishment for the couriers of this particular form of death and destruction.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We look forward to an early implementation of both conventions. The Government of Grenada urges conscientious efforts to establish the mechanisms, strategies and the resource commitments agreed to. From the perspective of small island States in particular, this is an absolute necessity. Our overriding concern for the welfare of our people and the wholesomeness of our environment, in particular the fragile marine environment upon which we are heavily dependent, compels us to register a most vigorous protest against the planned shipment of tons of radioactive material through the Caribbean Sea later this month. The problems of illicit drug trafficking and money-laundering have now reached levels that no country is able to combat single-handedly.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The recently concluded United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) heralded a new beginning and was undoubtedly one of the most significant undertakings of the United Nations. My Government wishes to applaud Mr. Maurice Strong and the entire UNCED secretariat for the successful conclusion of that summit and to extend our congratulations to the Government of Brazil for successfully hosting the Conference. Its real achievements should become manifest over time through the implementation of the work plan on sustainable development. Agenda 21, which comprehensively addressed the critical indivisibility of development and concern for the environment. My Government is also pleased with the conventions on climate change and biological diversity which were opened for signature at the Rio summit.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“At this particular time in the history of the Caribbean region, we are seized of the urgency to organize our response to the new international order. Earlier this year, regional Governments received with pleasure the report of the West Indian Commission, which was mandated to examine the conditions of Caribbean societies and to make recommendations for preparing the region for the economic, political and social challenges of the twenty-first century. The report of the Commission was very inspiring. It points the region along certain beneficial paths, and Grenada looks forward to the full consideration of the Commission's recommendations by Caribbean heads of Government in the near future.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“As we meet at this forty-seventh session of the General Assembly, a number of small island States in the Caribbean, highly dependent on the banana industry, are faced with an uncaring call by certain countries to have bananas placed within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). My delegation submits that the outcome of such a campaign could wipe out the banana industry in our islands. The resulting social hardships and political instability are costs which will be ruinous to our societies. These situations can be avoided if present conditions continue to prevail. Grenada reiterates is appeal for flexibility on the banana issue and calls upon the pro-tariff lobby to relax its efforts.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“My delegation is happy to report that some improvements have already been realized, and we look forward to achieving all the goals of our structural adjustment programme. Small countries, in particular small developing island countries with all the particular difficulties that development presents to them, can hardly compete in the world arena with developed countries. While demonstrating our determination to help ourselves, we appeal to donor countries to give renewed consideration to the difficulties confronting small developing island countries; and we appeal to the international community in general for the concessions we need to attain our development goals.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I wish to make it clear that the Government and people of Grenada recognize and accept that the responsibility for the advancement of our country rests, first and foremost, squarely on our shoulders. Grenada has taken steps to restructure its economy in the face of severe fiscal deficits, which threatened to erode our credit-worthiness, deny us space for growth and development and pauperize our people. Our self-imposed structural adjustment programme has its social, political and other costs. However, my Government is convinced that with prudent management of our very limited resources, a willingness to sacrifice, firm and cohesive political leadership and external assistance, we will in due course restore our economic well-being and place our country on a sound growth path.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“That process must be activated with the urgent aim of ensuring that economic progress is buttressed by social equity, freedom from want, good health and education and the enjoyment of basic human rights. Those concerns will no doubt be addressed at the proposed World Summit for Social Development, which my Government is pleased to support. If we fail to develop strategies and programmes to address those problems, then the impending conditions of increased hunger, poverty and social deprivation can culminate in very serious global unrest and instability. Grenada is dealing with this new cold economic world at both the domestic and regional levels.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The proponents of those changes declare their objectives to be the creation of efficient and competitive production systems, free trade and absolute freedom from control of market forces. But those objectives, though ostensibly neutral, are in fact heavily tilted in favour of the technologically advanced economies and insensitive to the capacities and priorities of the developing countries. That there are other equally important, even primary, objectives to be achieved by the less developed countries cannot be denied. Indeed, the market economy is being perfected, and the time is right for serious responses aimed at eradicating the conditions of poverty and deprivation that are so widespread in the modern world.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The delegation of Grenada is delighted to welcome to the United Nations the 13 new Members: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The current world situation presents a scenario of unmistakable complexities. The end of the cold war, rapid democratization world wide, the emergence of new national sentiments, intolerance towards ethnic, religious and cultural differences and the formation of regional economic blocs have brought about a restructuring of programmes and a reordering of agendas locally, regionally and globally. Economic interests now appear to be given precedence in most, if not all, considerations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is with profound pleasure that my delegation conveys to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session the greetings and best wishes of the Government and people of Grenada. We wish to extend to you. Sir, warm congratulations on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at this session. My delegation commends Mr. Samir Shihabi of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the excellent manner in which he conducted the business of the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly. We take this opportunity also to extend congratulations to the new Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and to commend him for the strong leadership he has brought to the United Nations and for the dedication with which he has carried out his duties since assuming office.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The United Nations must be the focal point of international activity. This forty-sixth session of the General Assembly must play its part in providing opportunities for, and facilitating decisions among, the community of nations so as to advance the cause of peace and secure reasonable levels of sustained development, especially in the developing countries.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“My Government is of the view that regional and international agencies mandated to work in this field should receive the maximum support of Member States. The drug problem is global. The response must, of necessity, be global in scope. The decade of the 1990s continues to impose itself on the international community as if commissioned to effect political, economic and social change worldwide. Happily, democracy and freedom have been the major beneficiaries. From Grenada's perspective, we hope that our national development efforts will not be derailed but, in fact, will receive meaningful support from international financial institutions and friendly countries. It is our hope also that the new spirit of international cooperation will be consolidated and deepened so as to enhance the prospect for peace.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In the new international environment, Grenada sees the United Nations as having an even more vital role to play in buttressing the security and political independence of small States. The problems posed by the production, trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs cannot be wished away. Indeed, the very security of small States can be exposed and compromised by the violent and indiscriminate onslaught of the drug culture. Equally disturbing is its capacity to retard the development of our countries, to the extent that it demands and consumes considerable resources that could otherwise be utilized more productively. Grenada is determined to persevere in the fight. We have introduced a number of national programmes in this area and have entered into bilateral cooperation agreements with friendly countries.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We believe that the so-called newly free States of Europe are a historic prize for the discharge of the cold war. That prize has gone, deservedly, to the people. As the world feels its way in an era of seeming unipolarity, the security concerns of small States again come to the fore. The quest for security absorbs substantial economic resources that small States can ill afford. The vulnerability of small States may be defined not only in terms of direct attacks against territorial integrity but also in terms of the pervasive conditions of poverty and economic powerlessness. Regional cooperation arrangements provide an option, but it is respect for the independence of States, the right of their peoples to self-determination, and compliance with the rules of international law that constitute the best guarantee of security for small States.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“My Government is also disturbed over the continuing violence in the black townships and deplores the perpetuation by some agencies of such road-blocks to the realization of a democratic South Africa. The overall situation in the Middle East remains unsettled. In the aftermath of the Gulf War new opportunities for peace have emerged. Grenada supports the proposed Middle East Conference. In recent times there have been some noteworthy signs of positive movement and it is hoped that full advantage will be taken of the opportunity to settle the long-standing differences between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The Government of Grenada has viewed with relief the demise of communism in Europe. Eastern Europe generally and the Soviet Union in particular have experienced the power of democracy.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“This has become even more urgent given the current situation there. There are some who appear to believe that the political process now unfolding inside South Africa requires their immediate economic endorsement. Grenada notes, with some measure of relief, the abrogation of some of the legislative pillars of the apartheid system. But the motion of the process of fundamental constitutional change is very slow. So far none of the recognized rights and freedoms has been guaranteed to the black majority. Grenada reiterates its position that until that preferred goal is attained economic sanctions should be maintained so as to bring about the total demise of apartheid.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We look forward to an amiable and definitive resolution of remaining difficulties between the two parties on the basis of the principles of mutual respect and good-neighbourliness. The Government of Grenada deplores, in the strongest possible terms, the recent overthrow of the duly elected President of Haiti. Grenada believes that no comfort should be provided to the military junta which has seized power for its own selfish ends, in disregard of the will of the Haitian people for democracy, peace and progress. We call upon the international community to bring adequate pressure to bear on the military junta so that constitutional rule may be restored in Haiti. It is imperative that the international community give special attention to the existing problem regarding Haitian refugees.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Grenada believes that the need to take steps to strengthen the integration process in the wider Caribbean and in Latin America is becoming more urgent, given the pace and scope of global change. In this content we note the special role being played by Venezuela and Mexico and the recent proposal advanced by Honduras. Further cooperation and collaboration between countries of the region will no doubt serve to promote hemispheric unity. Grenada welcomes, with pleasure, the easing of tensions between Belize and Guatemala. The recent declaration by the Government of Guatemala that it recognizes Belize's right to independence and self-determination is very encouraging. So too is the news that the two countries have established diplomatic relations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In recent years we have regained much of the political commitment necessary for the advancement and consolidation of the Integration process, and Grenada is confident that the renewed vigour and momentum will be sustained. Undoubtedly, the bright prospects of improved welfare and security have impelled the leaders of the island States and the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada to engage all sectors of the community in a careful and serious search for a viable form of political union among the four island States of the subregion. Our hopes are high that we shall be able to define ourselves as one people and to fashion an appropriate constitutional authority to provide for our orderly and progressive governance.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Small States must be assisted to find alternatives that will enable them to enjoy the beauty of the environment, rather than be forced to plunder its resources merely for survival. Let us go to Brazil with the political will and the commitment to save our planet and ourselves. The English-speaking Caribbean region is relatively peaceful and stable at this time. These conditions enable our countries to intensify the search for deeper forms of economic and political integration. Grenada wishes to reiterate its position that the economic and social prosperity of the people of the region is heavily dependent upon the success of our integration movement.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is in this context that Grenada looks forward to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil in 1992. We believe that the challenge to diplomacy and international law-making cannot be shirked. Restoring and maintaining a sense of balance between economic development and environmental preservation require equitable and effective international legal instruments. It is our hope that, apart from the negotiation and conclusion of conventions on climate change and the preservation of biodiversity, the special concerns and needs of small States will meet with genuine understanding and firm pledges of assistance. Grenada calls upon the international community not to relax its efforts to convince the industrialized countries, in particular, of the need to take urgent steps to save the environment.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)