YouSaid · the spoken record

László Kovács

lines on the record: 77
first: 1994-09-24
most recent: 2003-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“Multilateral institutions are in serious need of reform, if they are to live up to the expectations of the fast-changing political and economic landscape of our times. The United Nations cannot be an exception to that.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Regional instruments aimed at improving the situation of national and ethnic minorities have already been adopted to that end without major difficulties. A universal instrument on the rights of minorities has yet to be elaborated. We believe that, given the necessary political will on the part of Member States, the United Nations will be able to fill that gap through an international minority protection system. The more effectively we act, the more beneficial the service that we will be able to provide with respect to protecting vulnerable minority groups through standards and norms. Hungary stands ready and is willing to join others in redoubling our efforts with regard to strengthening the United Nations system.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We view the first follow-up meeting of the States parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), held at Geneva in August this year, as encouraging. The participants rightly focused on practical actions. We look forward to seeing further progress in strengthening national implementation of the BWC at the next meeting, in November. Hungary remains strongly committed to the international protection and promotion of human rights and of fundamental freedoms, including the rights of minorities. The United Nations is the only universal Organization dealing with worldwide standards-setting, protecting human rights and addressing violations of human rights in individual Member States. All those efforts deserve our unqualified support. Hungary continues to attach particular importance to the protection of the rights of minorities.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Hungary will work hard with its partners in the EU towards the effective implementation of that new instrument and of the recently agreed EU Action Plan. In the current world security environment, the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) needs to be reinforced. We call on the States remaining outside the NPT to accede to it 5 unconditionally and to accept the nearly universal norms of nuclear non-proliferation. Revelations about large-scale nuclear programmes and the failure to provide sufficient explanations as to their purpose and nature have given rise to legitimate concerns on the part of the international community. There is a growing recognition — shared by Hungary — that those programmes imply serious proliferation risks as well.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“I am confident that, with the unwavering support of the international community, Afghanistan will soon be a better place for the Afghan people. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, together with the means of their delivery, is a growing and serious threat to international peace and security. The danger of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in the hands of terrorist groups and States — which are a menace to our world — represents new major security challenges, against which we must act together in a resolute manner, both regionally and globally. Earlier this year, the European Union (EU) adopted a very important and far-reaching Declaration on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Hungary is deeply concerned by the grave and deteriorating situation in the Middle East. We believe that the implementation of the road map is the only framework for reaching a political settlement. An effective and credible monitoring mechanism is of critical importance to that effect. The Quartet should carry on with its mission in the peace process. We call upon both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to dedicate all their efforts to the full and unconditional implementation of the road map. The security situation in Afghanistan remains fragile. The Government of Afghanistan deserves our assistance and attention. Terrorist acts and illicit drug- trafficking are causes for serious concern.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Our fellow Hungarians are serving with the coalition forces. We will also attend the donors conference in Madrid later this fall. We are closely following developments regarding the United Nations assumption of an ever-increasing role in Iraq. I would like to stress that the United Nations has to assume its share of the work both in restoring the sovereignty of Iraq and in the reconstruction process. I believe that our Organization, with ample experience elsewhere, can play a significant role in the establishment of democratic institutions, the rule of law, respect for human rights and election-monitoring. We are studying intensively our possible contributions to this process. For the time being, though, our priority must be the stabilization of the security situation in Iraq and the normalization of day-to-day life.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We will spare no effort to take an active part in maintaining peace and security, enhancing the non- proliferation regimes, protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and establishing international standards. The global fight against international terrorism must remain a major priority of the United Nations. In this context, we support the full and effective implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Hungary is keenly interested in widening the scope of multilateral instruments in the fight against terrorism. After the success of the coalition forces in bringing freedom and the opportunities of democracy in Iraq, we have to turn our attention to the reconstruction and development of that long-suffering country. Hungary is strongly committed to supporting the Iraqi people.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“International terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, grave armed internal conflicts, poverty and illegal migration constitute enormous challenges to all of us. Hungary remains strongly committed to multilateral institutions. We are firmly convinced that the United Nations can and should play a major role in meeting the multifaceted and ever growing challenges of our contemporary world. We, for our part, are deeply devoted to assisting that role. Along with our partners in the European Union, we are more than prepared to strengthen the United Nations as a unique instrument of a strong multilateral system to tackle global and regional issues for the sake of a safer and more secure world.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Her vision of the world and her deep commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations will continue to be a source of inspiration to all of us. 4 Hungary aligned itself with the statement delivered by the presidency of the European Union during the general debate and fully supports it. We live in a world of great opportunities and serious challenges. It is in this context that global problems require global and concerted solutions. To that effect, we must use the potentials of the United Nations to make the best use of opportunities at hand. In that respect, maintaining or restoring peace and stability, non-proliferation, development and human rights are in the focus of attention of the international community.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Allow me to extend to you, Sir, our sincere congratulations on your election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session. You may rest assured of my delegation’s full support in the discharge of your important responsibilities. It is my painful duty to pay, along with so many of us, a tribute to the memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello and his associates, who sacrificed their lives for the people of Iraq in the service of peace and the United Nations. Our heart goes out to the families of the victims of that cowardly terrorist act. The world was shocked and saddened when a most respected colleague, and a close friend of mine, the late Anna Lindh, the Swedish Foreign Minister, fell victim to a senseless act of crime in Stockholm.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Globalization and interdependence are two major phenomena shaping the contemporary world, including the political landscape of the United Nations. By taking advantage of the opportunities stemming from these phenomena, all of us could seek a much better life for the inhabitants of our globe. The United Nations has the necessary instruments at hand. A better and more responsible use of these instruments can contribute to the implementation of the Millennium Declaration Development Goals, aimed at creating a more prosperous and sustainable world for generations to come. If we have the necessary political will and determination, we can have a United Nations that works relentlessly to improve the lives of all. That is, in the final analysis, what the United Nations was founded for.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“I am confident that the election of a Hungarian judge would contribute to the genuine realization of the objectives set out in the Rome Statute. Human rights are universal values. States Members of the United Nations are expected to observe the norms and standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including minority rights, adopted by the United Nations. By the same token, it will remain the moral and political responsibility of States to call upon others to act in accordance with their voluntarily undertaken obligations. Hungary will not hesitate to raise its voice when human rights are violated in any part of the world. International protection of minority rights remains a major preoccupation for us. We continue to pursue our efforts aimed at a functioning universal legal system for the protection of minorities.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In this regard, we concur with the view that nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation will also be essential to combat international terrorism. 16 Hungary has, from the very beginning, given its strong support to the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has become the first major multilateral legal institution of the twenty-first century. We were proud to become a State party to the Statute of the ICC and to be among those whose ratification helped bring about the entry into force of the Statute this year. We firmly concur with the view that international law will be strengthened through this new legal institution. As a sign of our deep commitment to the Rome Statute, my Government has decided to nominate a candidate to the panel of judges of the ICC.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“International cooperation in this respect must not be a distant opportunity; it is in the interest of each and every country, and of all nations as a whole. Complementary preventive efforts would be needed as well to at least diminish the likelihood of such an occurrence. Among such preventive efforts, the benchmarking of arms control compliance will eventually have to find its legitimate place. That is why we deem important the successful conclusion of the Fifth Review Conference of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, to be resumed in November this year under Hungarian chairmanship. Hungary remains strongly committed to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and its verification regime.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Out of the several propositions emerged recently, Hungary lends its utmost support to the negotiations on an international code of conduct against the proliferation of ballistic missiles. We appreciate the vigorous efforts of the States members of the European Union to move this process forward and hope for its successful completion in the near future. Developments over the past 12 months have raised more critically than ever the question of how to address in an efficient way the challenges posed by the deliberate spread of disease, such as the anthrax incidents. The reinforcement of national public health and civilian defence capabilities is crucial, even though there are only a few countries that, acting alone, can put meaningful assets in place.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We cannot but regret that disagreements over the comprehensive programme of work are preventing the Conference on Disarmament from starting substantive work on this issue. One of the most important new threats to international peace and stability in the changed security environment at the beginning of the twenty-first century is caused by the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction. Hungary is ready to join international efforts to counter this danger, including new political and diplomatic initiatives. The system of multilateral legal norms relating to non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control fails to include regulations on responsible international behaviour concerning ballistic missiles.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Hungary is more than prepared to play its role, with all the means at our disposal, to meet these new challenges through concerted international efforts, including regional arrangements. The year 2002 marked the beginning of a new review cycle of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We expect the annual sessions of the Preparatory Committee leading up to the 2005 Review Conference to make a significant contribution to the further strengthening of all aspects of this legal instrument by ensuring its full implementation and promoting its universality. The early start of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty stands out as the next logical step aimed at curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Having entered the twenty-first century, mankind continues to face further major global challenges, such as illicit drug trafficking, money-laundering, corruption and transnational organized crime. The role of the United Nations in facing and tackling these phenomena is of paramount importance. By the same token, global risks are widened by new types of security threats. In our view, serious problems of regional stability, of low- intensity armed conflicts and threats of natural and man-made catastrophes are increasingly on the rise. Illegal transfers of nuclear, biological and chemical materials pose grave threats. Illegal migration and illicit trafficking in human beings are also rightly viewed as new forms of security risks.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Iraqi non-compliance with Security Council resolutions is a serious concern for all of us. Hungary regrets that the Iraqi regime refuses to cooperate with the United Nations and continues to pose a threat to peace and security in the region and the world at large. The international community cannot disregard this fact and has to respond to it in a resolute manner. We will work closely with our allies and partners to pursue the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, and we will do our share in the efforts to build a broad coalition of nations in order to prevent the Iraqi regime from producing and using weapons of mass destruction.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We continue to attach particular importance to the unimpeded work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, with which we maintain a particularly close relationship. In the context of the global coalition against terrorism, Hungary is following developments in Afghanistan with keen interest. We welcome the consolidation achieved so far by the Government of Afghanistan with the assistance of the international community. We wish to place on record our deep 15 appreciation for the excellent work done by the international forces. in that country. Further efforts to contain and eliminate terrorist groups in Afghanistan will remain a top priority. Hungary is committed to maintaining its support to the Government of Afghanistan as well as to its people.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We find it crucial that Member States make every necessary and possible move to prevent further terrorist acts and implement national measures under relevant Security Council resolutions to combat that phenomenon. Effective cooperation among States is also indispensable to act resolutely against the menace of terrorism. Besides being a reliable partner in the global coalition, Hungary has taken the necessary domestic legislative and executive measures to implement the decisions of the international community. The Parliament of Hungary this week took the decision to ratify the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. By this legislative act, Hungary has become a party to all of the international instruments adopted by the United Nations against terrorism.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“There is no doubt in my mind: this was a time that again brought into focus our deep commitment to freedom and democracy. In that regard, I would like to reiterate that the people and the Government of Hungary continue to maintain relentlessly their strong solidarity with the United States. Our contemporary world has been decisively transformed since 11 September 2001. The fight against international terrorism is high on our agenda. Hungary is strongly committed to the effective efforts of the community of nations to counter this threat. Towards that goal, we have consistently acted in cooperation with our allies and the rest of the international community. In that respect, Hungary supports the ongoing global endeavours of the United Nations aimed against terrorism.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Let me at the outset extend to His Excellency Mr. Jan Kavan, former Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, our sincere congratulations upon his election as President of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I want to assure him that he can safely count on the full support of my delegation in discharging his important responsibilities. I would also like to welcome in our midst the latest new State Member of the United Nations, Switzerland. It was only four days ago, when so many of us here paid tribute at Ground Zero to the memories of the thousands of victims who lost their lives last year in the brutal 11 September terrorist attacks. The remembrance there was heartbreaking, but at the same time it was a day of resolve as well.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The experience gained from the functioning of these two ad hoc tribunals has paved the way for the wider acceptance of the idea of an international criminal court, thus creating a firm legal basis at the universal level for the establishment of individual criminal responsibility with regard to war crimes and crimes against humanity. We are committed to pursuing vigorously the negotiations at this session to enable the finalization of the statute of the court at the diplomatic conference to be held next year. At this session, we have to focus our efforts on preparing the ground for practical steps to make the United Nations a viable and dynamic body. We must maintain the momentum for change if we want to ensure a decent future for the human experiment.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The horrible atrocities and genocidal acts committed during recent conflicts have speeded up negotiations on establishing international criminal jurisdiction on war crimes and crimes against humanity. By establishing the ad hoc tribunals on former Yugoslavia and on Rwanda, the international community reaffirmed an important principle: all those having committed war crimes or crimes against humanity are to be held personally responsible and accountable. It is our legitimate expectation that all persons indicted by the tribunals will be brought to justice and moreover that failing to cooperate fully with the tribunals will not remain without consequences.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“My Government has supported the Ottawa process from its very inception; it welcomes the success of the Diplomatic Conference held on this issue at Oslo and intends to become one of the first signatories of the new Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. This is an important milestone in the development of international humanitarian law and in the endeavour to put an end to 14 the immense human suffering caused by the proliferation and indiscriminate use of these weapons. At the same time, in our view, the remarkable achievements of the Oslo Conference do not diminish the role that other forums, including the Conference on Disarmament, can play in promoting the objectives of the new Convention.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“United Nations activities in this sphere should lead to the elaboration of a comprehensive programme for sustainable development acceptable to all nations. We wish to voice our concern about the insufficient progress achieved in this domain. We lend our full support to efforts aimed at seeking solutions to the burning questions of underdevelopment and at stopping the processes of degradation of the ecological habitat of our planet. Armed conflicts continue to take their toll, sometimes decades after the cessation of hostilities, due to the presence of anti-personnel landmines. The plight of tens of thousands of innocent victims has been a growing source of international concern in no small part as a result of effective advocacy by human rights groups and humanitarian organizations. Hungary stands for the total ban of these devices.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We believe, however, that these should not stand in the way of consistency in promoting universal respect for human rights and should not allow complacency to surface in attitudes towards human rights violations. We are pleased with the Secretary-General’s excellent choice of Mrs. Mary Robinson to serve as the next High Commissioner for Human Rights. We will lend her assistance to make the United Nations more effective in responding to human rights challenges, including those stemming from ethnic discrimination. As recent developments have shown, these represent a threat to regional and international stability and security. Development and environment are questions of the utmost importance for the future, and even the survival, of humankind.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“After the demise of the political structures of the cold war, international protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms can no longer be relegated to some distant corner of United Nations activities. As a legitimate concern of the international community, human rights issues should be given their due weight in all United Nations activities, in a well coordinated manner. This must be reflected in the provision of adequate funding. Today, human rights are violated on a massive scale worldwide, and we all must stand up in their defence and hold violators accountable wherever abuses occur. We are aware that there exist regional, cultural and other specificities in the field of human rights.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The financial reform of our Organization is an indispensable prerequisite to ensure its viability and relevance. Payment of assessed contributions is an obligation under the United Nations Charter. Hungary has made serious efforts to meet all its outstanding financial assessments, and now we belong to the yet small, but, hopefully, growing group of Member States which pay all their contributions to the regular as well as peacekeeping budgets in full and without conditions. To solve the financial crisis, we must find a way that is acceptable to Member States and is good for the Organization. The delegation of Hungary stands ready to join in further constructive efforts along the lines of the proposal presented by the European Union with a view to arriving at a comprehensive compromise solution.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Legitimacy and efficiency are both important premises for any pattern of Security Council reform. The general view is that, once the Security Council is enlarged, its size and composition should be not an impediment, but, rather, an asset for effective decision- making and action, enjoying the widest possible support and cooperation of the membership at large. Agreement on Security Council enlargement is a fundamental pillar of the United Nations reform process. We have to make sure that with a future Security Council comprising Germany, Japan and countries each from Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean as permanent members, and also additional non-permanent members, we preserve and enhance the purpose-oriented character of this important body.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“13 It is in this context that in recent years Hungary has increased its participation in United Nations mandated peacekeeping operations in a variety of ways, including both infrastructural and logistical support and the deployment of military and police personnel, an example of which is the Hungarian contribution to the Implementation Force and the Stabilization Force and the considerable increase in the number of Hungarian peacekeepers serving in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus. We are pleased that the performance and professional skill of my compatriots engaged in various such operations all across the globe are considered positively. The issue of the functioning and the size of the Security Council has been extensively dealt with at several United Nations forums.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The post-cold-war era has brought to the forefront urgent questions. These include issues related to the future operation of the United Nations conflict- management capacity. The debate unfolding on these problems has political, legal and, quite often, emotional dimensions as well. We welcome the proposals of the Secretary-General geared towards enhancing the rapid reaction capabilities of the United Nations.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Regional and cross-border cooperation is a valuable asset for regional stability and security, and has to be utilized to its full potential. As we look forward, from the invitation we received from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in Madrid to the winding up of the accession talks with the Alliance, and in the expectation of the commencement of negotiations on our entry into the European Union next January, we wish to develop further such regional activities of dialogue and wide-ranging cooperation in order to prevent the emergence of new dividing lines and to assist all the countries of the region in their drive to join the mainstream European developments. We are also confident that Hungary, through the structures of Euro- Atlantic integration, will become an even more active partner and supporter of the United Nations.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“My country is seeking to consolidate genuine good-neighbourly relations with all the countries of its region, especially with countries bordering it, and to launch regional initiatives and enhance regional cooperation to better respond to the new challenges threatening regional stability. It is in this spirit that we have been active in the creation of, and have sought to expand, various forms of regional cooperation, such as the Central European Initiative, the Central European Free Trade Agreement and the South- East European Cooperative Initiative, involving a large number of countries in the region, or have moved ahead with trilateral, more tailor-made, cooperative schemes with a number of our immediate neighbours.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The tragic events in former Yugoslavia, the crises and convulsions on the territory of the former Soviet Union and elsewhere, the emergence of aggressive nationalism as well as populism in Central and Eastern Europe, as an appealing “remedy” for political problems, economic difficulties and social tensions, are vivid reminders of the critical, sometimes lethal, nature of these challenges. They underscore how important it is that the international community act with appropriate means and in a timely manner. Hungary supports the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and of other multilateral regional organizations to help prevent new conflicts, to initiate, where needed, peacekeeping and peace-building activities, to solidify the rule of law and to promote cooperation in the OSCE area.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The suggestions to ensure the desired coherence of United Nations efforts in development cooperation, to bolster its institutional capacity to combat international crime, drug-trafficking and terrorism, or to integrate human rights concerns into all principal United Nations activities and programmes deserve our full support and need swift and concrete action. Let me add the voice of my delegation to all those who have called for approval at this session of the package as a whole, which will have to be followed by practical steps in order to translate it into meaningful action. In its foreign policy Hungary continues to serve international peace and stability, with special regard to its own region.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“If our decisions are underpinned by a strongly shared joint commitment to tackle the global agenda, we can make the United Nations relevant for the next millennium. The reform proposals presented by Secretary-General Kofi Annan are guided by the urgency of the task, sober realism and healthy idealism as well as personal commitment to change. We welcome the intention of the Secretary-General to proceed to the early implementation of concrete organizational measures within his own areas of competence. The package of proposals which require action by the Member States themselves truly captures those areas of United Nations activities where agreements are necessary at this stage.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“I am very pleased to see the Foreign Minister of neighbouring Ukraine assume the 12 prestigious post of President of the General Assembly at its fifty-second session. In fulfilling your challenging tasks you may rest assured of the support and cooperation of the delegation of Hungary. Our tribute and thanks are also due to your predecessor, Ambassador Razali Ismail of Malaysia, who served us with distinction and innovative spirit. In the post-cold-war era, international organizations are undergoing a profound adaptation process. Here, in the United Nations, we are only at the beginning of a bumpy road. Whether the United Nations can find its place in the new international political environment of the twenty-first century depends on our foresight, realism and determination.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Transboundary criminal activity and drug-related money-laundering require the strict application of the law by strong, independent judiciaries. Our task is to make use of the advantages of multilateral cooperation in this field. The Republic of Hungary stands ready to work in partnership with Member States to promote efficient multilateral action and to translate into deeds the noble ideals set forth in the Charter of the United Nations.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“I wish to underline the fact that the way in which the United Nations tackles the crucial global problems mankind is facing will greatly determine the quality of the imminent next century. Let me refer, in this context, to the importance of some of the problems on the agenda of this session. Sustained efforts to combat international terrorism, transnational crime or illicit drug trafficking are required from all of us in order to preserve the international legal order, the present achievements and further potential of democracy and development. The United Nations has an important role in coordinating efforts to ensure that those involved in terrorist activities find no safe haven and expect a vigorous response from the international community.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Lack of full respect for the rights of minorities, together with the absence of necessary political, legal, institutional and administrative guarantees, are among the root causes of many of the conflicts on our agenda. Today, as we witness the growing importance of human-rights operational activities, the timeliness of the concept of preventive peace-building comes to mind. This implies not only an enhanced human-rights preventive and monitoring capacity of the United Nations, but also the right combination and use of the assets at our disposal, from early warning to preventive protection. The practice of financing some United Nations human-rights field operations from the peace-keeping budget and a greater coordinating role for the High Commissioner for Human Rights may be two of the avenues which deserve our full attention.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Chronic underfunding, lack of efficient coordination and the sometimes evasive or uncooperative attitude of several Governments only underline this urgency, which was finally recognized when human rights were made one of the programme priorities of the United Nations. In our view, the United Nations, despite the important advances made, such as the establishment of the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights, is still not sufficiently equipped to deal with the latest and gravest of human-rights challenges: those emanating from ethnic conflict, civil strife, government breakdown and the collapse of the rule of law. The importance of safeguarding and monitoring the observance of the rights of national or ethnic minorities is still too often disregarded and put in the context of political expediency.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Hungary is aware of the difficulties that make real progress so hard to achieve. It stands ready to help reinvigorate the momentum for change and to make genuine United Nations reform an early reality. Promotion of the international protection of human rights is a fundamental component of my Government’s foreign policy and one of the essential tasks conferred upon the United Nations by its founders. Despite the remarkable results achieved in the standard establishment and building- up of implementation machinery, there is still much to do in maintaining our determination to act in defence of human rights, wherever abuses may occur.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The building-up of regional peacekeeping and peace- building capacities, as well as the increase of the operational character of some key activities of specialized agencies, are among the avenues that have to be more fully explored. The reform agenda of the United Nations has been put in motion against the background of these new challenges and opportunities. Despite considerable progress in identifying the main areas of change within the different negotiating structures, we are seriously 8 concerned that the overall reform process has lost most of its dynamics. While we should not allow that individual consensual elements of the reform process be held hostage to progress in unrelated issues, there seems to be an evident need to reach a political agreement, at least on the basic philosophy of the major premises of the reform agenda.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“An early international monitoring presence in itself has a major deterrent effect. In-depth information on a given situation would catalyse diplomatic efforts and help trigger a broad consensus on the course of action. Specialized agencies and regional organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, are of primary importance in defusing sources of tension through creating appropriate and efficient response mechanisms. The United Nations, while fully discharging its responsibilities under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security, can authorize and thus give legitimacy to these endeavours as well as to actions to be taken by ad hoc coalitions of the able and willing.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“This only highlights the urgency of proceeding without undue delay to the building-up of a unique institutional infrastructure for the country and of facilitating the holding of municipal elections in a more stable political environment. We are now in a period of reflection with regard to United Nations conflict-prevention and crisis-management capabilities. In our view, the United Nations, as it continues to live up to its responsibilities under the Charter, ought to craft its response strategies more carefully. The preventive capacity of the United Nations should be further strengthened. A sound early warning system, combining political, military, humanitarian, human rights and economic areas, would broaden the base of options and enhance the chances for success in the early detection of conflict situations.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Citizens should be assisted by the international community in their efforts to create and activate democratic institutions in which good governance and accountability will force war criminals out of the political mainstream. We see the work of the Tribunal in The Hague as an essential component of the Dayton peace process and the cooperation extended to it as an important indicator of the willingness of the parties to follow through on both their Dayton commitments and their obligations under the Charter. Experience of the recently held elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina suggests that keeping to the schedule agreed at Dayton was a sound decision. We remain concerned, however, at the ethnically divided voting results.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We strongly believe that a solid international presence is required to allow democracy and stability to take firm root in the region. Hungary continues to provide the necessary logistical and transit facilities to IFOR forces and United Nations peace-keepers and is contributing to the strength of both IFOR and the United Nations International Police Task Force. The return and reintegration of refugees and displaced persons — including those who found shelter in Hungary — pose a continuing challenge to the international community. The establishment of democracy and the rule of law should be accompanied by reconstruction and rehabilitation, thereby facilitating the conditions of safe and orderly return.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)