YouSaid · the spoken record

Paz Barnica

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS PAZ BARNICA

lines on the record: 158
first: 1982-09-24
most recent: 1985-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“We cannot ignore the behaviour of those that in Central America proclaim that they are going to regionalize the armed struggle; those that attempt to internationalize a localized conflict, to place it in the framework of hegemonic confrontation; those that attempt to violate the territorial integrity of States, to hide the reality of the dramatic internal crisis that they themselves have created; those that systematically refuse to participate in a comprehensive disarmament programme and do not allow their citizens freely to express their will, their aspirations and their ideals; those that come to this forum, which is designed for universal understanding, to give free reign to the language of violence which they promote in practice in their own territory, in open violation of the commitments that they have assumed as the fundamental pillars of a revolutionary process that has been betrayed; those that promote actions that destroy the democratic, pluralistic institutions which in neighbouring nations are based on the sovereignty of the people.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Government of Nicaragua has requested the inclusion of an item on Central America in the agenda of the current session of the General Assembly. The request to bring that item to the United Nations for debate hampers the work for peace which the Central American countries have entrusted to the Contadora Group and places the consideration of the problems of the area outside the continental context and within the framework of East-West confrontation, with the obvious desire to polarize and give a universal character to the crisis which is afflicting Central America. 29. Acts such as those should prompt reflection and alert the universal conscience.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In contrast to the Honduran attitude, Nicaragua has adopted an attitude that is in no way constructive, because it is insisting on delaying the discussion of issues of real importance to the present and future of Central America until those conditions are first met that are for its sole and exclusive benefit. The simultaneous examination of political and security questions, such as democracy and the arms race, was excluded by the Government of Nicaragua, which thus not only distorts the regional requirements for a global solution but moreover openly calls into question the expectations and hopes that have been placed in the work of the Contadora Group. 28. There is, moreover, in that attitude another challenge with premeditated and unforeseeable consequences.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In a letter addressed on 29 September last to the Presidents of the countries of the Contadora Group, the President of Honduras, in ratifying the Document of Objectives' adopted on 9 September by the Central American Foreign Ministers, which reflects the six points contained in the Honduran peace proposal of 23 March 1982, said that that Document may help to promote a global and regional solution through the diplomatic channel, always provided that the terms of reference which it contains are based on a firm political will. In this, my Government cannot help but endorse your fervent desire to achieve a responsible understanding in favour of peace, democracy, security and co-operation for development in Central America, taking as a starting-point the intention expressed in the document adopted at Panama City on 19 September 1983.' 27.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In accordance with those words of the leader of Honduras, the measures that my Government has been compelled to adopt have been limited to what has been strictly necessary for the defence of our country and reflect the right of every sovereign state to self-defence when it is threatened. 25. In the field of diplomacy, my country continues to work tirelessly and unhesitantly for the achievement of a peaceful global and regional solution through the simultaneous discussion of the different problems confronting Central America, Laying the foundations for peace in the region has been and remains our principal task within the sphere of action of the Contadora Group. 26.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“He said: I can assure you that my Government will remain committed to the search for a peaceful solution to the critical situation in the region. In spite of the climate of international tension in Central America, we have, during the past two years, maintained the military budget of our nation without any increase whatever, and we shall maintain it at the same level next year. Furthermore, my Government has reached the decision not to increase the size of its armed forces, since we have no hegemonic pretensions in Central America and our greatest wish is to live in peace and freedom. 24.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The second is a violation of conditions of security by resorting to extra-regional and extra-continental alliances, thus placing the crisis within the framework of global confrontation, and sharpening and complicating the tragic situation in Central America. In the country in question there is a shameful foreign occupation, with the complicity of its present leaders, and it has become an extra-continental enclave, which distorts the national identity of the Nicaraguan people. 23. Faced with this situation, on 1 September of this year the President of Honduras addressed the heads of State and Government of friendly countries, reaffirming his commitment to peace and basing himself on the specific proposals he had already made during the discussions in the Contadora Group, and on the limitation of military expenditures and troops.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The ideological and armed confrontation taking place there is doing substantial damage, through its effect on neighbouring nations, to intra-regional relations, with the risk of serious consequences if the damage is not undone in time through a dialogue that can lead to the democratic system for which Nicaraguans fought with weapons in hand. This is what Central America is appealing for, faced with a revolution of broken promises. 22. The suppression of a dynastic tyranny by a totalitarian, expansionist and aggressive regime has led to the militarization of Nicaraguan society, with two results harmful to peaceful co-existence in that strategic belt of the American continent. The first is a breach of the military balance in the region.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Nonetheless, the progressive radicalization of the Government of Nicaragua stands in the way of the achievement of these goals, and has obvious repercussions in the international sphere that disturb and undermine the maintenance of peace and security in Central America. 21. The establishment of a highly authoritarian system in that country has prevented the achievement of the original revolutionary plan and has given rise to the resistance and rebellion of Nicaraguans, who are fighting other Nicaraguans on Nicaraguan territory.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“But we must explain as well the obstacles that prevent our arriving at the objectives mentioned and we must make clear the underhanded attempts to obscure our good intentions. 19. The aspirations of the Central American people, and particularly the people and Government of Honduras, are the strengthening of peace in order to promote economic and social development, and the realization of the basic rule that the human person is the supreme goal of society and of the State, and that the dignity of the human being is inviolable. These aims constitute our civic patrimony in a context of political, economic and social democracy. This is what we seek to strengthen in my country, in co-operation with our neighbours who share equal values and aspirations. 20.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“If those commitments are to be trusted by both sides in the atmosphere of democratic stability to which we aspire, they must at the same time necessarily be backed up by a dialogue to promote a process of reconciliation in the search for pluralist and democratic institutions in those countries which are afflicted by deep divisions and bloodstained enmities. The history and dynamics of Central American societies also indicate the need for us to develop our economies to serve the people, with the help of an international co-operation free of any opportunist selfishness and based on the solidarity of interdependence. The pluralist and participatory development of Central American societies is a prerequisite for regional peace. 18. These are the foundations of our international position with respect to the Central American situation.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Consequently, from the very outset, Honduras has stated its unshakable will to arrive at multilateral commitments leading to general disarmament in the region, a cessation of the illicit traffic of weapons, and the withdrawal of military and other foreign advisers who tend to weaken the identity of each nation. For this to be effective and permanent, my Government has also proposed that an international supervision and control machinery be agreed on to verify the fulfilment of the agreements reached with sincerity and in good faith. 17.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“With that objective—that Central America should be a zone of peace—the Government of Honduras proposed a peace plan of a regional nature which includes two essential factors. The first is that the problems experienced by Central America proceed from the political, economic and social origins of the crisis and the military and security factors which are responsible for the present grimness of the situation. This therefore requires a global solution. The second factor involves the fact that Central American problems are interrelated in the national, bilateral and multinational spheres. Their solution therefore requires a regional approach. 16.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We are fully aware of the obstacles in our path and of the dangers threatening the ideals that we uphold. We are equally certain that we will not hesitate to defend them. But we firmly believe that for all Central American peoples, without exception, no national or international claims will be satisfied if the benefits of peace are disregarded and destroyed. 14. I mean a peace based on the idea that none of our people will accept to be slaves; a peace built on the conviction that none of our countries should attempt to dominate others; and a peace based on recognition of the fact that the interests of each and every State are better served within a system of regional co-operation. 15.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“None the less, I have come before the Assembly basically in order to reaffirm, on behalf of my Government, a categorical message in favour of dynamic, pluralist and participatory democracy, in favour of peace for the economic and social development of peoples and in favour of constant and constructive dialogue among the five countries of the Central American region. 13. Central America is tormented by confrontation. Bitter and heterogeneous battles are waged there—the fight against authoritarianism, that of equity against exploitation, and of autonomy versus subjugation. Interests alien to our history and particular characteristics intervene in a cold game of domination, which attempts to impose regimes contrary to the humanism that nourishes the democratic vocation of the Central American peoples.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“I am raising the issue of differences of view because we have heard here voices that for a long time have been interested in converting the General Assembly into a forum for polemics by making bold affirmations in a premeditated attempt to continue to confuse world public opinion. Thus we see a continued disrespect for reality with the intent of diverting the world's attention from the internal problems of certain countries caused by the antidemocratic policies of their Governments, contrary to the genuine self-determination of their own peoples through the free expression of the people's sovereignty. 12.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is as though we were to put together the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle of a world divided by disputes and misunderstandings, putting it together piece by piece, creating zones of peace, giving meaning to the very existence of different nations, drawing them away from the polarization that destroys and separates from common grounds for understanding. 10. That clear historic vision of a new and renewed world is reflected in the thinking of the President of Honduras, Roberto Suazo Cordova, who, on taking office, and referring to Central America, said that it must be an area of peaceful coexistence in which its peoples and leaders can establish and maintain understanding through enlightened dialogue in a zone of peace undisturbed by the warlike sound of polarizing confrontation . 11.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is there, in those regions upset by the tragedy of bloody warfare where reason has yielded to force, that it is urgent to undertake with a genuine spin; of reconciliation and true political will the difficult but all-important task of building peace, strengthening freedom and making pragmatic efforts aimed at economic development and social change. 8. We are contemplating a world divided for all, to use the moving words of a magnificent Honduran poet: a world of East and West, North and South, of opulence and poverty, of strong and weak States, States industrialized and with rudimentary economies, of nations rebellious and docile; a world in which a struggle is waged between freedom and despotism, between the gun and ideas, between justice and arbitrariness, and between totalitarianism and the ennobling force of human dignity. 9.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Hence our best efforts must be applied so that, with a clear historic vision, we may all—Governments, peoples and international organizations alike—contribute to creating a promising future based on the higher values of peace, freedom and justice. 7. This endeavour seems almost impossible to achieve in this contemporary day in view of a picture clouded by innumerable conflicts and terrible divisions which, although they now affect specific regions, in some cases are capable of provoking widespread conflagrations with the most painful results.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This is true of the consolidation of new nations following the process of decolonisation, of the efforts to create a just international economic order, of the cessation of the arms race, of renewed interest in the promotion and defence of human rights, of localized conflicts, of the sources of energy or technological advances, all factors which, among others, show how intense are the changes that we are experiencing and that are laying the foundations for the world of tomorrow. 6. Governments, peoples and international organizations are overwhelmed by unmet demands, pointless dogmatism or the uncontrollable pace of events. When this occurs we lose our capacity constructively to influence the direction of change, and conflicts prevail over agreement.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Likewise we wish to express our pleasure at the independence of Saint Christopher and Nevis and its admission to membership in the world Organization. We most warmly congratulate Saint Christopher and Nevis on behalf of the Government that I represent. 4. The general debate of the thirty-eighth session is about to come to an end. The list of issues to be discussed is eloquent proof of the complexity of international relations in our day, relations that exist in a world whose greatest contradiction is the contrast between the reality of close interdependence and that of every form of confrontation. 5. Undoubtedly, in our day mankind is writing one of the decisive chapters in its history.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“1. First of alt, Sir, I should like to express to you, on behalf of the people and Government of Honduras, our congratulations on your election to the presidency of the current session of the General Assembly. This election constitutes a tribute to your own personal qualities and to your country, Panama, which has in this century successfully waged a persevering struggle for genuine independence and legitimate sovereignty and which is now being given a demonstration of the support of the world conscience, which, in this universal forum, expresses the will of States to work for international peace and security. 2. I wish to express the appreciation of the Honduran Government for the intelligent, discreet and effective work accomplished by the Secretary-General, in the discharge of his delicate tasks. 3.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Our people is united in the quest for material and spiritual advancement and the consolidation of Honduran nationhood through sound institutions based on justice, freedom and national harmony. We are also united with regard to external matters. It is not a mere whim to insist on peace; nor is it Utopia. Men of good will and generous thought know how to achieve it. Leaders who forget that the supreme mandate is to secure the well being of those they govern through respect for their dignity and the practice of harmonious coexistence, will inescapably be drawn to the exercise of tyranny which is doomed to failure. The lessons of history are many and Honduras has learned from them. We have chosen to take the encouraging and promising road of democracy and peace.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Thus, in our American continent, a problem at once colonial and regional has been deeply felt recently by our peoples. We refer to the colonial situation of the Malvinas and the grave crisis and armed confrontation of last April and May between the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Honduras recognizes the sovereign rights of the Republic of Argentina over the Malvinas and supports its claim. Honduras believes that every conflict between States can be settled by negotiation; therefore, it rejects the use of force in any international conflict. Honduras is in favor of a speedy negotiated solution between the parties which would give sovereignty over the Malvinas to Argentina.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“In our view, there is no other way but to persist in achieving the holding of free elections in Namibia as soon as possible and, therefore, we lend our support to fresh negotiations to put an end to the illegal occupation of the Territory by South Africa. The world problems to which we referred earlier cannot conceal the important fact that conflicts emerge and develop basically in a regional context and that according to the letter and spirit of the Charter it is first and foremost for the members of each region and regional machinery they have established to solve conflicts with a full sense of responsibility. Because of its global character, the process of decolonization must be in conformity with the peculiarities of history and geography.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Similarly, our Government believes that the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to have their own homeland should be achieved through serious comprehensive negotiations and the open and firm support of the international community. The right of Israel to exist and live in peace with its neighbors within secure and recognized boundaries, which Honduras has always supported, can and must be coupled with the rights of the Palestinian people to self determination and the establishment of their own State. In southern Africa, the hopes raised five years ago by the plan of Western Powers for Namibia, supplemented by the Security Council, have given way to profound disillusionment, creating a dangerous climate which could lead to new acts of aggression.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Hence, in the past few months we have witnessed the invasion of Lebanese territory by the armed forces of Israel, which, engaging in heavy fighting with Syrian and Palestinian military units, have occupied part of that territory and for several weeks encircled its capital, Beirut, causing destruction, desolation and death. This tragic situation was further aggravated by the massacre of refugees, which caused indignation in the international community and deeply moved the Honduran people. My Government, which is attached to the values of respect for the human person, most vigorously condemns this tragic holocaust. The Honduran Government firmly condemns the use of force in the settlement of international conflicts and rejects with equal vigor the corollary that the acquisition of territories by occupation can be justified.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The principles of international law enshrined in the Charter have continued to be ignored in various situations, sacrificed to the most blatant form of power politics, and the Security Council has been paralyzed during grave conflicts because of a total lack of agreement on the objectives and the actions to which it could have legitimately committed itself. This atmosphere of tension and lack of effectiveness has further complicated the solution of problems which are within the competence of the Security Council, thus prolonging existing conflicts and failing to avoid the emergence of new crises and international confrontations. In the Middle East, conflicts have worsened.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Honduras will also be present as an observer in the meetings of the non aligned movement, aware that, in political and economic matters, both groups agree on principles of justice in keeping with the growing aspirations of the developing world. The climate of mistrust and underlying hostility between the major political and military blocs of East and West this year have darkened the picture. The limited achievements of the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament is an eloquent statement on the real intentions which seem to guide the super Powers at this time.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“My Government trusts that all Central American States will identify with this postulate and that, setting aside claims of supremacy and dangerous ideological confrontations which are alien to our spirit, our destiny and our history, a free and democratic Central America will see its efforts crowned with peace. There are many political, economic and social issues on the agenda of the General Assembly on which we should like to express our objective views which guide us. in our participation in the work of cooperation that motivates the United Nations. Our country will continue to make its enthusiastic contribution to the Group of 77, over which we have presided on two occasions in various forums.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Before I refer to other matters in the general debate, I should simply like to repeat, with all the strength that my Government is capable of demonstrating, that we shall continue to conduct our affairs in accordance with the principles of nonintervention, respect for the right to self determination of peoples, the territorial integrity of every State and, especially, our respect for the us^ of peaceful means to solve disputes. I am simply emphasizing the words of the President of Honduras, Roberto Suazo Cordova, who, addressing himself recently to the Presidents of Mexico and Venezuela, affirmed that The Honduran people will never resort to aggression or threats against any of our neighbors because we firmly believe that any dispute between States can be settled peacefully.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“I have accepted this fraternal invitation of the Secretary General to demonstrate quite clearly once again, in this Hall where we gather in the pursuit of peace, justice and cooperation, the unswerving desire of the Government of Honduras to hold a dialogue for a global exchange of views on the problems which affect the Central American region. I have tried to explain in plain and simple terms what Honduras consists of and what its contribution is to the cause of peace in Central America. The international community will judge us on the basis of our actions.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Tins new vigorous effort is made in the context of the Honduran peace proposal, sincemultilateral dialogue on a permanent basis is the fundamental requirement for the achievement of appropriate and lasting solutions We would like to express the hope that the Government of Nicaragua will support this new initiative and the principles which have inspired it, for we believe that a Nicaragua which will establish and guide its revolutionary process along the path of democracy, pluralism and non alignment is essential for the political stability and the peace and security of the Central American region. The Secretary General asked me today, without prejudice to other ongoing initiatives, to meet at Headquarters with the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“A particularly significant issue was the establishment of a forum for peace and democracy with a mandate to carry out the peace initiatives based on agreements between States of the region. This meeting of democratic countries emphasized the need to help establish peace in the region, to promote and. consolidate a comprehensive system of institutions in the countries of the region and to create an appropriate scheme for intra regional and international cooperation in various fields on the basis of peace, security, democracy and development.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“We would like to devote our limited material resources to combat poverty and promote the well being of our people rather than to compete in a ruinous arms race. We do not want an armed peace for Central America, nor a balance of power based on the possession of sophisticated weapons of destruction. Honduras extends its hand to the countries that are ready to associate themselves with this effort for peace with justice and freedom. Together with Costa Rica, Honduras has endeavored to find formulas to solve the conflicts in Central America peacefully and democratically. A meeting of foreign ministers of several Central American and Caribbean countries was held in San Jose on 4 October last, to consider ways and means truly and effectively to achieve these goals.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The Government of Honduras expresses the hope that the international community, represented in the Organization, will devise and adopt multilateral legal instruments which will eradicate the underlying causes of terrorism and will fight and impose sanctions on this dreadful scourge, one which offends the conscience of civilized nations and of the peoples who strive to build a better future based on peaceful coexistence, understanding and solidarity. Honduras wants to devote all of its strength to the consolidation of political democracy and economic and social development. We want and need a climate of peace and security, stability and harmony, to strive to overcome the present economic crises in our country and at the same time achieve social justice by means of peaceful change.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Honduras is being threatened by terrorism in which the direct participation of outside elements has been demonstrated, and which undermines fundamental human rights and attempts to undo the entire democratic process which we are building. The recent acts of terrorism have been denounced by our people who most energetically reject violence as a means of political action whose sole purpose is to destroy social peace and jeopardize human dignity. The Honduran people want to live in peace, work in peace, build in peace, bring about change in peace and know that the road of peace was built to be used for peace in this democracy in which we live today.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“We therefore believe that the excessive expenditures in war equipment should be used to combat poverty and misery and to promote the well being of the people, to lend technical and scientific assistance, to overcome conditions of backwardness facing developing countries and to help in the establishment of a new international economic order so as to reduce the tensions that aggravate the tragic problems of our times. This is the struggle that we are engaged in to achieve domestic as well as international peace; but I must state clearly and unequivocally that we have fallen victim to certain problems which stem from the internal problems of neighboring nations which are threatening our own security now.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Sixthly, we propose that a set of guidelines be drawn up for a permanent multilateral dialogue on the basis of this initiative, thus to promote political understanding internally, to achieve a democratic and pluralistic system and assure respect for public freedoms and the right of the peoples to express their will freely. We affirm that the arms race constitutes an inherent threat to the future of nations and the survival of mankind itself.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“My country is ready to open its territory without any reservations to any form of international supervision for the purpose of achieving and maintaining peace. Fourthly, we propose that there be consideration of and agreement on the most appropriate procedures and mechanisms to put an end to the traffic of arms in the region. Fifthly, we propose that recognized boundaries and the traditional lines of jurisdiction of the States of the region be fully respected so as not to endanger peace through new disputes which might arise with regard to land or sea.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Secondly, we propose that agreement likewise be reached on an objective and reasonable reduction in the number of foreign military and other advisers, or any other elements which are liable to cause concern or unrest, or undermine the identity of any nation. Thirdly, we propose that there be a survey of and agreement on the required machinery to ensure, by means of international supervision and monitoring, to which Honduras will submit, that countries of the Central American region fulfill their commitments and responsibilities. This system of supervision and monitoring would be applied to countries where there exist conflicts and difficult situations likely to affect peace in the region, especially in ports, airports, borders and strategic areas.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“First, we propose that the bases for general disarmament in the region be immediately established. This would imply not only a halt of the arms race which has created so much tension and instability in Central America and in continental relations, but a real reduction of military equipment and manpower to ensure that countries possessing armed forces maintain them at the level strictly necessary for the defense of their territorial integrity and sovereignty and the maintenance of public order, and that they abide by the universally established criteria recognized by every democratic society based on the rule of law. There should also be agreements on the types of weapons whose limitation on proscription would be determined in this general disarmament plan.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“In that vein, the foreign policy of Honduras is based on the simple but preeminent principle of the internationalization of peace in that troubled region of our continent. Based on our desire to adopt concrete measures in Central America to relieve the tension and dispel the violence of irreparable consequences, Honduras has presented a peace initiative which has received broad national and international support. It consists of six points which, in the view of my Government, cover the main questions to be discussed. This, however, does not exclude the possibility of considering others aimed at the same goal of achieving peace in the region, which may come from other States equally interested in achieving the same goal. Honduras has proposed the following six points.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“They are equally aware of their role in the current situation in the region. The President of my country, Mr. Roberto Suazo Cordova, upon coming to power, stated that Honduras did not want to become the arbiter of the region and its anguish, its hopes and its expectations, for that is not its function. But Honduras ardently desires to help bring about stability and harmony, in keeping with its devotion to the principles of non intervention and self determination, and to help Central America to become a region of peaceful coexistence, whose people and leaders will establish and maintain understanding on the basis of effective dialogue. The President of Honduras wants Central America to be a zone of peace, not to see it tormented by bellicose disputes and polarizing confrontations.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The Honduran people, on the basis of its sovereignty, calls for a return to a climate of political understanding, social peace and respect for human dignity, at a time when we are witnessing in our region the tragedy of violence and social upheavals.The situation in my country is in stark contrast with the abolition in other States of the region of individual and public freedoms and the denial of the peoples' right to self determination. For these reasons, the democratic process which began in Honduras so successfully undoubtedly represents renewed hopes for peace and freedom which are bound to exert a positive influence in our tormented Central America. Honduras, its people and its Government, are fully aware of the circumstances which threaten peace at home and abroad.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“These values of the Honduran nation were reaffirmed in the re establishment of democracy which began in 1980, when the people were called upon to elect a National Constituent Assembly, and 84 per cent of the electoral population of Honduras went to the polls. Not even countries with the oldest democratic tradition can boast such vigorous popular participation. There is no doubt that this overwhelming expression of the sovereignty of the people is an outstanding example for the future of our country and of Central America. One year later, in 1981, the Honduran people demonstrated even more vigorously their confidence in the free electoral process. Observers from almost all parts of the world witnessed a new, exemplary, civic event, namely the establishment of the political and legal system which now governs the destiny of our country.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Despite many short, comings in social services in the field of health, education, housing, nutrition and other areas, the Honduran nation has achieved high standards in certain fundamental areas which enable us to look with optimism. The Hondurans embrace the creed of peace through justice, and justice through freedom. Hence, those who are familiar with our people know that we reject violence in all its forms. More than any other Central American people, Hondurans practice dialogue in the settlement of their disputes. We support the electoral process for the establishment of a government, in the belief that there is support in our society for all political sectors involved in running the affairs of our community.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The freedom of the press is unlimited and fundamental human rights are fully protected. In saying this I do not imply that we have solved all our problems; far from it. I am merely saying that we live in a society governed by the law, that there is a plurality of interests which find expression in the framework of freedom, and there are more things uniting us than there are separating us. We live in a society which is open to peaceful change and dedicated to the improvement of its democratic institutions. The political, economic and social development of Honduras has created a reality which is unique in the Central American region.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“In the social field, we are proud of our free, strong and pluralistic trade union movement. Our farmers have been organized for more than two decades and the various farmers' associations and unions have more than 100,000 members. We also have numerous professional organizations of technical experts and craftsmen, and people involved in small , medium and large scale industry, as well as associations of students, teachers, businessmen, farm workers, cattlemen, and others. Four political parties represent different trends of thought in our legislative system and people of all walks of life are members of our judicial system. For more than 30 years we have had labor laws to protect our workers and for 20 years we have had a process of agrarian reform and a system of social security.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“We have no hegemonic oligarchies, no indigenous aristocracy. It is therefore not surprising that those who have achieved economic, professional or political success are often people of humble extraction, who have learned and succeeded through hard work. These harsh conditions are reflected in various actions taken recently. No one is unaware of the fact that the countries which have suffered most acutely from the impact of recession, are, like ours, countries of the American continent which lack energy resources. Nevertheless, Honduras has made an enormous internal effort to readjust its economy and to meet fully all its economic and financial commitments, which has enabled us to protect the stability of our currency and the image of a country which takes seriously its responsibilities vis a vis the international economic community.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)