YouSaid · the spoken record

Raphael Fletcher

lines on the record: 48
first: 1996-09-24
most recent: 1997-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“The soul has to find and hold its ground against hostile forces, sometimes embodied in ideas which frequently deny its very existence, and which indeed often seem to be trying to annul it altogether.” The Assembly may well ask, “How does the soul hold its ground?” My reply: through virtue and constant exposure to the right things. Let right prevail. May God bless the President of, and everyone participating in, this fifty-second regular session of this noble Assembly, which through His grace will be a transforming blessing to our world.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“And second, in his Foreword to Allan Bloom’s thought-provoking study on American higher education — the number-one bestseller of its time, one decade ago, Saul Bellow offered a view that is particularly pertinent to the notion of exposure of the soul to the right things. Saul Bellow contends that: “In the greatest confusion there is an open channel to the soul ... The channel is always there, and it is our business to keep it open, to have access to the deepest part of ourselves — to that part of us which is conscious of a higher consciousness ...”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The mention of justice evokes recollection of two very insightful observations which deserve to be shared in this noble Assembly. First, Reinhold Niebur, in his Foreword to “The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness”, offered the following comment on justice: “Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but Man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” Well might we enquire as to the origin of this inclination to injustice. But the success or failure to identify that origin notwithstanding, an effective manner of dealing with that inclination is provided by Plato’s construct for education, which is centred on exposure of the soul to the right things.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“To all who subscribe to the principle of the right of a people to self-determination, the case for membership in the United Nations for the Republic of China on Taiwan is a compelling one. Indeed, it is incontestable. For, some 50 years ago, these people chose self-determination. They voted with their feet as they moved from their homes on mainland China to the island of Taiwan, and today 21.3 million people practise democracy in the Republic of China on Taiwan. Their economic achievements are well and widely known, 14 as is their willingness to participate in the international community as a Member of the United Nations. What more is required for the Republic of China to be admitted to United Nations membership? One may well ask. My answer: justice.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In relation to the Security Council, Grenada unequivocally supports its expansion in a manner such as would facilitate the realization of true politics in the overall international community. This, we believe, would involve an increase in both the permanent and non- permanent categories of membership. Both such increases, in our view, should be characterized by a significant presence of developing countries. For, in Grenada’s view, what is required in the reformed Security Council is not more of the same kind of distribution of perception, but more equity among the component parts of the spectrum of perception. The very notion of equity inevitably calls forth the notion of justice. In the context of justice in the United Nations, there arises quite effortlessly the case of the Republic of China on Taiwan.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Surely this process of transshipment can be severely curtailed, if not completely eradicated, through planned, concerted international action. My Government’s concern for youth and children is not confined to Grenada. Nor is it limited to our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean Community or in the Association of Caribbean States. Our concern embraces youth and children everywhere. Accordingly, we condemn the exploitation of youth and children in any form. We say no to the abuse of children for pornography and prostitution. My Government welcomes the recent conclusion of the Convention on the comprehensive banning of anti- personnel landmines, and we urge a significant acceleration in the controlled destruction of those mines which are relics of campaigns of war of one scale or another.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Our small island States of the Caribbean have become primary and secondary transshipment centres en route from the large producers to the commensurately large consumers. My Government therefore asks earnestly that this noble Assembly address this matter in accordance with the ethic of the true politics relating to the overall international community of humankind. The current United Nations International Drug Control Programme is indeed commendable, and Grenada is pleased to be actively participating in it at the pace we can best afford. Nonetheless, it cannot but be admitted that this Programme does not offer, much less provide, the protection which is needed for our people — particularly our youth — against the ravishment of drug use and the blight which eventually afflicts the small-scale transporters, or so-called mules.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“For, through the Association, we in the Caribbean region seek to widen and deepen the process of integration amongst the island States of the Caribbean and those mainland States whose shores are lapped by the Caribbean Sea — and this includes Cuba. My Government is acutely mindful that poor States are peculiarly vulnerable to the violation of their territorial integrity, since they can ill afford the wherewithal to ensure non-encroachment in the vicinity of their borders. And the larger such poor continental States are, the greater that particular vulnerability. Similarly, for small island States, in particular those of the Caribbean, where the threat is not so much to territorial integrity but to security, that threat is posed by those engaged in the illicit business of narcotics trafficking, both by way of buying and selling.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Natural disasters, particularly in small island States, require special concern on the part of the confraternity of nations. The devastation recently experienced in Montserrat trumpets the need for a United Nations programme to deal with the aftermath of such natural destruction. Grenada welcomes the recent United Nations initiative in respect of Haiti, and salutes every country participating in this noble endeavour, as well as the United Nations and its officers, whose vision informed that initiative. We welcome also the steps towards achieving peace between parties in countries in Central America, and we applaud them. Indeed, as the current Chairman of the Association of Caribbean States, Grenada rejoices in such action.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Within the compass of such a global human order, there inevitably would be the eradication of the crippling and strangulating debt burden which afflicts so devastatingly the very poor and so dehumanizingly the poorest countries of our world. So also would be action against environmental degradation, and towards sustainable economic development, especially in the poorer countries and particularly in small island developing States. Similarly, as to the eradication of poverty worldwide — and, in this regard it is fitting that I repeat here the observation of the Right Honourable Clare Short, United Kingdom Secretary of State for International Development: 13 “A world that has one in five of its people living in abject poverty is certainly not just and it is also dangerously unstable”.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In this context, we invite attention to the apparent emergence recently of terrorism in the Caribbean region, with the bombings in Cuba. The kind of order referred to would inherently involve individual social and economic well-being: true prosperity, individual and societal. At the international global community level, such order is realizable only by way of a concept and praxis for a new global human order such as was enunciated by the late President Cheddi Jagan of Guyana and corroborated by the leaders of the Group of 7 countries in their communiqué “Making a Success of Globalization for the Benefit of All” (A/51/208, annex II). The pursuit of true politics in relation to the fashioning of the confraternity of nations requires that we strive to institute such a new global human order.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“And we seek the active partnership of the multilateral institutions as well as of the international community, through joint ventures, technological transfers and financial and technical assistance to provide the impetus to sustained economic growth. Democracy and good governance can flourish only in an environment of peace — an environment characterized by the tranquillity of order; not an order that is imposed, but an order which springs from mutual trust and mutual regard amongst the individuals who compose the particular society; an order which is constantly revitalized and continually enhanced by mutual love; an order which resonates to the truth that “My origin is their origin, my conscience is their conscience, my contention is their contention, and my pilgrimage is their pilgrimage”.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In the latter regard, we are now in the process of institutionalizing on-the-job training for our unemployed youth, whilst expanding our formal programmes for skills training. As for stimulating employment, special emphasis is being placed on self-employment — and this by way of fostering the small enterprise and micro-enterprise sectors. For we are convinced that the development of these sectors is crucial to our preferred process for national development. We believe that through such endeavours our people will grow in dignity and self-reliance. My Government will continue to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and expand.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Nevertheless, my Government is deeply aware that the success of its economic policies will depend significantly on the support of the multilateral financial institutions and also of friendly countries in respect of training and the dissemination of knowledge and skills, as well as the setting up of enterprises and facilities that are strategic to secondary economic growth. Accordingly, my Government is pleased to have recorded in the annals of the Assembly, its gratitude for, and appreciation of, the assistance which Grenada has so far received, as well as that which we are currently receiving, from the European Union through the Lomé Agreement, and from other friendly countries. Despite constraints such as I have referred to, as well as others, my Government continues in its efforts to stimulate employment and enhance employability.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Nonetheless, it must be explicitly stated that, in Grenada’s view, the Uruguay Round Agreements have created for small developing States significantly more burdens than the benefits they are proclaimed to bring under the banner of global free trade — at least now, and for the foreseeable future, unless corrective measures are soon instituted. My Government continues in its efforts to restructure the Grenada economy and is pursuing a programme of economic diversification. This involves broadening and enhancing sectors such as agro-processing, light manufacturing, crafts, services — including offshore financial services — tourism and agriculture.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Our national laws in the areas of trade in goods and services as well as intellectual property must be reviewed and extensive legislative changes made. Thus we must acquire the necessary legal expertise to work on this project until implementation is fully accomplished - and all this by the end of the year 2000. 12 We shall, of course, make full use of the assistance that is available through WTO as well as that offered by international bodies such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In this latter regard, attention is especially invited to the notion of global trade and liberalization as it is currently regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO), with its inherent inconsistencies, which operate to the disadvantage of the smaller economies. The WTO rules relating now to the products of agriculture and agro- industry bear testimony to the injustice inflicted upon those of us who live and labour within the confines of small economies — witness the recent ruling on bananas, which underscores the insensitivity displayed by way of the challenge which triggered it. Moreover, the Uruguay Round Agreements require a massive legislative agenda on Grenada’s part — as they undoubtedly do for most developing countries.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“My delegation joins me in extending warm congratulations to Mr. Hennadiy Udovenko of Ukraine on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-second session. We commend Mr. Razali Ismail of Malaysia for his exemplary conduct of the proceedings of the fifty-first session. The rapidly changing global environment presents grave challenges to small States, especially small island States such as Grenada. It also does so for the United Nations, whose very institution was prompted by the adoption of the ethic of a confraternity of nations informed by a common subscription to the concept of the empowerment of virtue through the furnishing of adequate and appropriate means in order that right might prevail in the international community.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Kofi Annan on his accession to the office of Secretary-General, as well as on his manner of addressing the duties deriving therefrom. We rejoice in his demonstration of virtue, and we believe that his profound knowledge of the United Nations augurs well for his leadership in pursuance of international peace and security. My Government is heartened by his commitment to the reform of the Organization and is reassured by his efforts to fashion a more effective and efficient United Nations system. We are hopeful that one of the benefits which will accrue from such an improved system will be the enhancement of the economic viability of small developing States, such as ours; and we further hope that his efforts to realize the system envisaged will not be frustrated by the withholding of the substantial overall payments which are due.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Indeed, it is rather significant that Plato perceived the whole function of education as being to elicit the best things that are latent in the soul, and to do so by directing the soul to the right things. I am highly honoured and deeply pleased to address, on behalf of the Government and the people of Grenada, this Assembly at its fifty-second regular session, during the course of which change must be a transcending theme, as also must be the initiation, institution and prudent management of change in the pursuit and conduct of international affairs. On behalf of my delegation, I express to this Assembly the warm greetings of the Government and the people of Grenada. I also express our sincere congratulations to Mr.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Doubtless this is an ideal. Nonetheless, it is an ideal we must constantly strive to achieve if we are to realize peace within and among our nations — peace, which was described by Thomas Aquinas as the tranquillity of order. In this era of accelerating change in so many areas in every portion of our diverse global community, it is of singular importance to the well-being of each of our individual national communities, as it is for the overall international global community, that we recognize, observe and be faithful to those values and principles which, inherently, are unchanging. One such unchanging value is that of right — moral right: what Plato conceived of as the virtue of justice, and what in Roman law was characterized as the jus, or moral law.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“In my address to this noble Assembly last year, I drew attention to the significance of virtue and, furthermore, to the enhancement of the release 11 of the power which resides in virtue, through the supply of appropriate means. Moreover, I invited reflection on the quintessential sameness of all humankind and urged that this, together with a genuine commitment to virtue, be adopted as the guiding principles of the General Assembly as it addresses and deliberates upon the realities of human interaction in our contemporary world. As it is for any individual society or nation, so it is for the international global community. Ethics is the science whose aim is to produce the good man and woman, while politics is the science which aims at fashioning the good society. Thus, politics must be founded upon and unceasingly informed by ethics.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“My origin is their origin, my conscience is their conscience, my contention is their contention, and my pilgrimage is their pilgrimage.” My delegation is deeply convinced of the unsurpassable wisdom which these words of Khalil Gibran represent. The sentiment conveyed constitutes the sine qua non for the realization of international brotherhood. This we do believe. 13 Accordingly, my delegation earnestly urges that henceforth the quintessential sameness of all mankind and a genuine commitment to virtue should be adopted as the guiding principles of this Assembly. May God bless everyone participating in this fifty-first regular session of the Assembly, so that, so much the more effectively, the Assembly will be a transforming blessing to our world.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Grenada, like Cyprus, is an island nation, small, but sovereign. We therefore call for an end to the suffering to which so many of the families and individual persons of that beautiful country have been subjected. The smallness of a nation does not, to any degree whatever, negate the fundamental human rights of each of its citizens. The great Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran, in his Thoughts and Meditations, offered humanity the following insightful observation: “My soul preached to me and showed me that I am neither more than the pygmy, nor less than the giant. Ere my soul preached to me, I looked upon humanity as two men; one weak, whom I pitied, and the other strong, whom I followed or resisted in defiance. But now I have learned that I am as both are, and made from the same elements.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“It has been suggested by Max Ascoli that “civilization is a constant quest for non-violent means of solving conflicts — a common quest for peace.” Nonetheless, my Government perceives civilization as being more than simply a quest for peace, more than merely the shunning of visible violence. My Government sees civilization as the purposeful pursuit of peace through commitment to justice; the inherent equality of all men and women; and the inalienable rights which derive from simply being human. My Government subscribes to the principle of the overriding rule of moral law. In the context of violations of humanness, it behoves me to express, on behalf of my delegation, the deep concern of the Government and the people of Grenada in respect of the agonies which are currently being experienced by a significant number of persons in Cyprus.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“My delegation therefore welcomes efforts to institute a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing. Similarly, the practice of transporting hazardous radioactive materials, particularly through the Caribbean Sea, must be stopped immediately. The very surreptitiousness with which this business is conducted and transportation effected is indeed a tacit admission of wrongdoing. Caribbean humanness is violated in such transactions. In the name of humanity, therefore, the Government and the people of Grenada, without equivocation and without qualification, call for this practice to be stopped, and stopped now.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“From Haiti to the war-torn Republics of the former Yugoslavia, to the famine-stricken cities of many an African State, the United Nations humanitarian activities and missions of peace are indeed worthy of special commendation. In this regard, I seize the opportunity now afforded me to express a father’s appreciation of and blessings upon my son Mark, who for some years has been and continues to be so engaged, and I ask your indulgence in this regard. Grenada is encouraged by the progress — albeit halting — made in the Middle East peace process and urges continued dialogue until the noble ideal of peaceful coexistence is achieved. But world peace and security will not be attained if those countries with nuclear capabilities continue to promulgate their use for military purposes.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“To continue to deny them this right would be to persist in denying them justice within the confraternity of nations. Superior power is found only where there is superior excellence of some kind, and the Republic of China has manifested a certain degree of superior power which derives from virtue rather than from physical strength. Thus, the Government and people of Grenada unequivocally exhort this Assembly to secure participation by the Republic of China in the agencies and activities of the United nations system. With every passing year, contemporary politics becomes more complex and, thus, commensurately complex are the related solutions. In this regard, my delegation especially applauds the efforts of the United Nations in attempting to maintain some degree of peace and security in various parts of the world.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Indeed, in the face of threats and undisguised acts of aggression, the courageous people of the Republic of China boldly chose to embark upon a path of freedom, justice, and respect for human rights, and recently took part in their presidential election, which was open, free and fair. 12 The economic achievements of this brave country of 21.3 million people are well and widely known. Thus, there can be no doubt as to the capability of the people of the Republic of China to make substantial contributions to the work of the United Nations. As to their willingness to make significant contributions, that also cannot be a matter of doubt. They have given testimony in this regard in several ways. They have established their good faith. They deserve the right to participate in the conferences and activities of the United Nations system.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“In July of this year, the European Union, through its Parliament, adopted a resolution to support the call for participation in international organizations by the Republic of China. The Government and people of Grenada consider this action on the part of the European Union to have been a most significant development. We welcome this development, and we applaud the European Union for it. Indeed, we are encouraged by that action, for the persistent plea of Grenada, constantly repeated over several years in every appropriate forum, has now been amplified into a clarion call for moral justice, in contrast to the expediency of power politics, economic advantage and legislative manipulation of yesteryear. The Republic of China has for many years consistently displayed its commitment to the values and principles of this body.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“My delegation sincerely hopes so. It is several years since any substantial change was made to the structure of one of the most important organs of this Organization. I refer to the Security Council. Meanwhile, the international political and economic environments have undergone some drastic and far- reaching transformations. Grenada strongly believes that in order to reflect the new geopolitical and economic realities of our world today, there are changes that are now due, particularly in the Security Council. Accordingly, my delegation expresses its unwavering support for the reforms currently being undertaken, as well as those now being contemplated with respect to the United Nations system.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Grenada welcomes the discussion held on aid for development — particularly with officials from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank — and is heartened by the fact that in those discussions modalities were defined for a new partnership for development based on the sharing of responsibilities between developed countries, developing countries and multilateral organizations. The pledge by the G-7 countries to ensure substantial flows of public aid for development to the countries most in need is very timely and most welcome. Dare we of the South perceive this pronouncement by the G-7 to be not simply a pledge of honour but, further, an expression of subscription to the new global order, as enunciated by a visionary of the South, underscored now by a soulful shinning forth of virtue on the part of the North?”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“In the context of collective international efforts towards the achievement of some kind of sustainable development in the less developed countries, it is instructive to refer to the recently held Group of Seven summit in Lyon, France, where most of the efforts focused on the new global order. The leaders of the world’s most powerful nations agreed that in the present global economic situation it is absolutely necessary to control negative consequences and fight against the risks of exclusion, both at the national and international levels. Their communiqué, entitled “Globalization for the Benefit of All”, does seem to signal the stirrings of a new order for humankind.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We are convinced that through prudent management of our very limited resources, a willingness on the part of our people to work hard and, on our part, clear political leadership and virtuously inspired guidance — all enhanced by the support of friendly Governments and donor agencies — we shall, in due course, place our country on a sound path towards genuine growth. My delegation is happy to state in this regard that some improvement has already been made and that our Government looks forward to achieving in the not too distant future most of the goals we have set ourselves in order more effectively to pursue those other goals, which would significantly enhance the quality of our people’s lives.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The time is now right for serious thrusts to be made towards the alleviation of the poverty and deprivation which are so widespread across the world, although most prevalent in the developing countries. This process must be activated immediately to ensure that economic progress is buttressed by social equity. Freedom from want; good health; genuine education; a clean environment; elimination of the scourge of illicit drugs, as well as of unemployment and underemployment; and the better and wider enjoyment of basic human rights: these are the goals we should unswervingly and constantly be seeking to reach. In this context, my Government is cognizant of its duties and responsibilities.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“There should be no need whatsoever to remind the Assembly that there is a direct correlation between the premature destruction of our banana industry and the well-being and integrity of our democratic process and thus of our democracy itself. Substantial increases in crime and other social ills have been shown to induce commensurate increases in involvement in trading in, and the use of, illicit drugs. We certainly prefer to prevent the occurrence of such situations than to have to expend our energies and scarce resources on remedial action to contain and eradicate the now ever-present threat of an expanding narco-culture. It cannot be denied that, there are other, and more important, objectives to be achieved besides protecting the market economy. And this applies to all countries, the developed as well as the less developed.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Those are but a few of the tenets upon which the proffered concept of the new global order is based. It is common knowledge that bananas provide a livelihood for a significant percentage of the people of the Caribbean, and particularly the subregion of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Thus, the current challenge to our special arrangements for that fruit in Europe is, to say the least, uncaring, if not hostile. Grenada and several of the other States now being so affected have, on many issues, collaborated with and supported those very countries that are now quite unrelenting in their deliberate assault upon our preferential arrangement, which constitutes an assault on the well-being and the very livelihood of a significant proportion of our people.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“More specifically, it is explicitly posited here that the developed countries should assist the less developed countries in respect of the following: first, the alleviation of the debt burden by one means or another; secondly, assistance for the development of centres for investment, the training of human resources, and training in how to make the economy more efficient, responsive and transparent; and thirdly, technical assistance to the smaller economies to help them make the transition towards incorporation and effective participation in a global economy that is so markedly characterized by so-called free trade. Smaller countries must not be excluded from processes which they cannot direct in their favour or, indeed, effectively influence so as to avoid experiencing the deleterious effects of those processes.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The conceptual requirements of the new global order include: a reconstructive change in interaction between North and South; a new basis for interaction; a new ethic for relating one to the other; and a genuine partnership, a partnership which eschews exploitation of any one people by another and seeks instead to pursue mutual upliftment of the peoples involved.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The need for official development assistance and the transfer of real resources from the North to the South has never been as pronounced as it is now. Indeed, such are the dimensions of that need in terms of both spread and intensity that the transfer of resources referred to here can be effected only on the basis of a concept of a new global order as was initially envisaged and expressed in principle by the President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and adopted by all the member States of the Caribbean Community. This, no doubt, has to be elaborated, and the countries of the North are especially requested to give disciplined and objective consideration to this matter.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Nonetheless, these realities have become more glaring in this era of trade liberalization and the globalization of production. Both of these phenomena, as conceived and elaborated by the developed countries, are startling reminders to us not only of our condition of institutionalized non-reciprocating dependence in a world that is becoming increasingly interdependent, but also of our vulnerability to economic marginalization. Thus, we are in no way, and to no degree, inhibited with regard to addressing inviting profound reflection on the issue of the special circumstances of small island developing States — particularly those in the Caribbean region, where prominent among the features characterizing our special circumstances is the ever-present vulnerability to natural disaster and the widespread devastation resulting therefrom.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“In 10 this latter respect, priority is being placed on the development of an adequately skilled and disciplined work force. While we are aware that the matter of economic and individual personal development is first and foremost a national responsibility, we are deeply conscious that our limited domestic resources constitute a severe constraint upon us in our quest to fulfil this obligation. Accordingly, we earnestly ask — indeed we urge — the many United Nations agencies involved in such activities, and also individual Governments, to continue to provide to us and to others in the same position the kind of help that is needed to meet satisfactorily growing demand for the spectrum of expertise vital to our national development. The grim realities of the very limited resources of very small countries are well known.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Only recently, we initiated a micro-enterprise programme, with the provision of a modest sum to help young entrepreneurs in particular to embark upon their several ventures. We hope that the programme will succeed, thereby contributing to our overall economic development, both materially and psycho-culturally. Such preferential treatment is being given to the young so as to better fashion a culture of confidence, thoughtful creativity and purposeful enterprise. We are actively seeking also to enhance opportunities to enable our working population to attain higher standards of living. My Government has set itself specific goals including balanced and integrated sectoral growth, a relevant and adaptive education system, health for all, and strategic human resource planning and development.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“My Government has been developing strategies, mechanisms and procedures to increase transparency and accountability in the conduct of Government. Moreover, my Government has pledged itself to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens as well as to other elements of civil society, such as a free press, freedom of expression, a fair and open democratic process, the supremacy under God of our Constitution and the effective functioning of the parliamentary system, for which our Constitution specifically and explicitly provides. Economically, our domestic policies are aimed primarily at encouraging individuals and businesses to maximize the return on their enterprise and efforts. We have embraced the notion that promoting micro- enterprises is one of the ways to accomplish this goal.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Yet it must be expressly stated that the noble goal of achieving global democracy, peace and prosperity can be realized only with significant inputs from the developed countries acting in collaboration with the disadvantaged ones. Currently, many of the small developing countries that are Members of this Organization are faced with severe economic problems. It cannot be overemphasized that measures aimed at stabilizing their economies and creating the conditions for sustained growth and development have very painful effects on the populace. Nonetheless, these effects can be made more bearable, and it behoves us to point specifically to the human dimension in this regard. Since June 1995, the new Administration in Grenada has focused on strengthening our democratic institutions and on rebuilding our economy.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“My delegation further expresses appreciation and thanks to the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his vision and willingness to confront the many challenges that the Organization has recently been facing and, specifically for his dedication in seeking to solve world problems in the socio-economic and political spheres. This new session of the General Assembly is being held against the background of a continually changing global environment. That notwithstanding, there exists, on the one hand, a spirit of international cooperation and, on the other, a high degree of convergence of several ideals, such as the institution and strengthening of democracy, promoting and fostering economic integration and political harmony, and the pursuit and practice of a new multilateralism.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“In this context it is, for me, a great honour to be afforded the opportunity to address this very distinguished gathering of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. This event is easily the most important in the world calendar, as far as political deliberations are concerned. My delegation conveys to this Assembly the greetings of the Government and the people of Grenada, and congratulates His Excellency Mr. Razali Ismail of Malaysia on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-first session. We were particularly impressed with the way in which Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral of Portugal conducted the affairs of the General Assembly at its fiftieth session, and take this opportunity to thank him for his handling of those proceedings.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Virtue constitutes the greatest form of human strength. Indeed, the very origin of the word “virtue” connotes manly strength — not merely physical strength, but moral strength. With respect to human interaction, it is a widely acknowledged truth that the greatest form of power arises when virtue is furnished with means. That is the concept that gave birth to the United Nations, inspired its noble deeds, and generally continues to inform its operations. Accordingly, our celebration last year of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations was quintessentially a collective expression of rejoicing in the wisdom embodied in that powerful truth, as well as an explicit, joint recommitment on the part of Member nations to act in accordance with the principle of empowerment of virtue, through the supply of appropriate means.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)