YouSaid · the spoken record

Hassan Wirayuda

lines on the record: 39
first: 2001-09-24
most recent: 2002-09-24
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

“At the same time, however, we affirm that democracy is not merely the breaking of chains and the enjoyment of rights. Whoever would truly be free must bind himself to the duties and obligations that match and give meaning to his rights. Every individual has responsibilities to the community that nurtures him, just as every nation has responsibilities to the community of humankind, including the responsibility to respect the views of all other members of that community. This is the fundamental meaning of multilateralism. In the ultimate analysis, this is all we need to address the challenges of our time and make a more peaceful, more just and more prosperous world: that we all be sincerely responsible to one another, for one another and for the planet that is our only home in this life.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In many of our endeavours at political, economic and social reform, we have been supported by United Nations organizations, funds and programmes. We are therefore deeply grateful to the Secretary-General for his intention to enhance United Nations efforts to assist Indonesia in promoting good governance and in establishing a stable, democratic and prosperous society. Thus at the national level, we have committed ourselves to the processes of dialogue, wide participation and accountability, which are all inherent in a democracy, just as we stand for multilateralism in international affairs. We are committed to promote and protect the individual rights of our citizens, just as we have always advocated that every nation, no matter how small or powerless, must have a voice in international affairs.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“At the same time, we shall continue to provide protection to civilians from terrorist attacks that disrupt public order and cause much suffering. We have also applied special autonomy to the province of Papua, which guarantees protection of the cultural rights of the people, a just and equitable share of the resources for development, and redress of legitimate grievances. In the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku, communal strife has greatly abated with the signing of two peace agreements between the factions and the holding of reconciliation dialogues. The main task now is to build goodwill among the communities and help thousands of internally displaced persons return home and start a new life.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“A proposal for the adoption of the Shariah or Muslim law in our legal system did not obtain support. The proponents graciously and democratically accepted this reality and bowed to the decision of the people's representatives and to the force of public opinion. This reflects our common commitment to democracy. We will adhere to the democratic process even in addressing serious threats to our national security, such as the separatist movements in the provinces of Aceh and Papua and the disruptive communal strife in the provinces of Maluku. On Aceh, we are prepared to resume negotiations with the Free Aceh Movement, provided the Movement drop its separatist demand, cease resorting to terrorist tactics and accept the law on special autonomy as a final political solution to the problem.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“At the national level, Indonesia has been similarly doubted: it is said that reform legislation has been lagging because of dithering and interminable debate. Moreover, in some international circles, Indonesia has been portrayed as less than fully enthusiastic in the global fight against terror on the basis of a mistaken perception that it is lenient with radical Muslim groups. And yet, after all the necessary debates, we did take large strides toward further democratization. Our parliament recently endorsed several amendments to 9 our Constitution: the adoption of a system of direct popular election of the President and Vice-President, the adoption of a bicameral system of legislature, and the abolition by 2004 of the 38 seats reserved for the military and police in the legislature.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Through this approach, we hope to achieve our vision of an ASEAN that is at peace within itself and with others, an ASEAN that is technologically competitive with the rest of the world and, through sustainable development, has reached, for our part of the world, the Millennium Development Goals. From the time of its inception, ASEAN has been much criticized for its preoccupation with consultations and consensus-building, which seem to delay action when swift action is needed. I am not troubled by this criticism because I regard it as an affirmation of ASEAN's adherence to the multilateral ethos. Multilateralism gives ASEAN coherence, commitment and perseverance in the pursuit of its goals. That is why it has been an effective catalyst for the promotion of security and economic cooperation in the Asia- Pacific region.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In the face of the surge of this global threat, ASEAN has set in motion a work plan to implement the 2001 ASEAN Declaration on Terrorism and Transnational Crime. We believe, however, that it is the totality of ASEAN's work that will decisively overcome not only terrorism but also the basic problem of poverty in our region. Since it was founded in 1967, ASEAN has tirelessly promoted political, economic and social development cooperation among its members. The result has been three decades of relative peace and unprecedented economic growth, interrupted only by the Asian financial crisis of 1997. To forestall the recurrence of such a devastating crisis, we have taken bold steps toward regional integration.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“It may therefore be highly advisable to find ways and means of further promoting the natural synergy between the United Nations and regional organizations. A good example is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Indonesia is a founding member. For many years now, we in ASEAN have been working with United Nations bodies to the considerable benefit of our peoples. It is in this spirit that we, the ASEAN countries, are sponsoring a resolution in the General Assembly on strengthening the working relationship between our regional organization and the United Nations system. Long before the 11 September attacks, a regional programme to combat terrorism and other transnational crimes was an integral part of our ASEAN functional cooperation.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Despite the lack of a timetable, the fact remains that we have an action- oriented plan of implementation to be carried out by a global partnership of governments, private business and civil society. A factor that can work against our hopes is a unilateralist trend so apparent at the global level. In the face of that trend, it becomes even more necessary and desirable that regional organizations grow in strength and share some of the burden that is now borne by the United Nations. This role was envisioned for them even when the world organization was still being established more than fifty-seven years ago. In general, regional organizations strictly adhere to a multilateral regime, and at that level many global problems are so much more manageable.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Hence, we trust that the forthcoming negotiations mandated by the Fourth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference at Doha last year will make possible the full integration of developing countries into the multilateral trading system. Much also depends on whether the pledges made in Monterrey at the International Conference on Financing for Development could be fulfilled and then exceeded. Earlier this month, the World Summit on Sustainable Development reached agreement on a global programme to reduce poverty and restore the integrity of our planet and formulated a blueprint for switching to a more efficient use of carbon fuels and renewable sources of energy.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In the long run, the war against terrorism can only be won if we emerge victorious in a more basic struggle — the one against poverty. The substantial eradication of poverty, in fact, is what the development goals of the Millennium Declaration all boil down to. As reported by the Secretary-General, the world 8 community has made some progress in this endeavour, with East Asia recording the most significant gains. We still have a long way to go, however, before we can meet the goal of reducing by one half, between 1990 and 2015, the number of people living on less than a dollar a day. If the Millennium goals will be met at all, a major factor will be the achievement of an international trade regime where unilateral practices and protectionism have given way to genuine multilateralism.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We are encouraged by the recent decision by the Government of Iraq to allow the return of United Nations inspectors. We trust that this will pave the way to a peaceful solution of the problem and preclude any attack against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. The situation in Iraq cannot be viewed in isolation. How we address this problem will have repercussions on the longer-standing issue of Palestine and the challenge of terrorism. In Afghanistan, the United Nations has done commendable work in helping the Afghan parties manage the post-Taliban transition. The international community must now help the Afghan people in nation-building, rehabilitating the country's infrastructure and strengthening its newborn Government.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Hence, while over the past weeks we have witnessed an intensification of the international focus on this issue, we must not lose sight of the fact that mechanisms already exist within the United Nations system to address the issue. In tackling the present challenge, Indonesia deems it necessary that peaceful efforts be fully exhausted and existing United Nations mechanisms be fully utilized, and, if need be, strengthened. Any unilateral use of force risks not only undermining the authority of the United Nations, but would also carry the grave potential of destabilizing the immediate region, and indeed beyond, with its attendant humanitarian implications. For its part, Iraq must fully comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“They can, if they wish, persuade Israel to withdraw its forces from the occupied territories and to cease settlement activities in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. That will help pave the way for the realization of two States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side within secure internationally recognized borders. Only then will peace have a real chance. In this context we note with interest the communiqué issued yesterday by the Quartet on the Middle East outlining a roadmap to realize such a vision. Elsewhere, it is important to recall that the situation in Iraq has been an issue that has occupied the Security Council for some time.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The same is true of our efforts to advance the disarmament agenda, which is also imperative. Until the States concerned rid themselves of their arsenals of mass destruction — whether nuclear, biological or chemical — the danger remains that much, if not all of the human race, could be wiped out in a single holocaust. In accordance with the multilateral principle of equality, States should no longer cling to the privileges derived from military superiority over others. Multilateral affirmative action can also bring about peace, where for many years there has only been violence and bloodshed. In the Middle East, the Powers that wield great influence on the region are called upon to adopt a just and balanced approach to the issue of Palestine.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Nowhere is the necessity for multilateralism more glaring than in our response to the scourge of our time: international terrorism. And nowhere else is the role of the United Nations more vital. The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in this city and in Washington were not only an attack against the United States but also an attack against civilization and all human values. Therefore, the coalition that responded to these attacks had to represent all of humanity — all nations, religions and cultures. For those reasons the United Nations was actively involved in the response to the attacks and must maintain a pivotal role in the response of the world community to the persistent threat of international terrorism; otherwise, in the long run, that endeavour will fail.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In the relations and interactions among nations, the democratic spirit is put into practice through multilateralism. Multilateralism exists when a group of nations adopts a set of goals and each individual member is equally responsible for the achievement of those goals. It entails respect for one another's sensitivities and points of view, and therefore requires discussion and the forging of consensus. For the value 7 of each nation, no matter how small or how poor, is equal to that of any other. To my mind, the ultimate form of multilateralism is a United Nations with a General Assembly already revitalized, a Security Council that is truly representative of the United Nations membership, and a streamlined Secretariat that is responsive to the needs and interests of all Member States.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“On behalf of the Indonesian delegation, I am pleased to congratulate you on your election as President of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly. We are sure that with your wise and skilful guidance our deliberations will be fruitful. Let me also take this opportunity to extend Indonesia's warm welcome and congratulations to the newest Member of this world Organization — Switzerland. We look forward to extending a similar welcome to East Timor when it joins our Organization in the days ahead. In November 2001, from this same podium, I asserted that in order to wage an effective struggle against the multiple threats and challenges confronting humankind, we must imbue ourselves with the democratic spirit. Without that spirit, we can only fail.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“To my mind there is no question of whether the democratic response will work as a way of resolving this problem and all the other global problems of our time. Nothing else will work. The question is whether we are courageous, sincere and enlightened enough to apply it. History, it has been said, is a race between enlightenment and catastrophe. Let us become enlightened now, before catastrophe overtakes us.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“It therefore welcomes the adoption yesterday by the Security Council of resolution 1378 (2001), for this development represents manifest recognition of the need to enhance political and diplomatic efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Afghan crisis. At the same time, however, it is important to underline that the role of the United Nations can only be to support the efforts of the Afghan people themselves, most notably in the establishment of a new and transitional administration that is broad-based, multi-ethnic and representative of all the Afghan people. For its part, Indonesia is committed to supporting the United Nations in these noble endeavours. Indonesia stands ready to contribute to any future peacekeeping operations needed to support peace-building in Afghanistan.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The best course, therefore, would be to launch collective action on the basis of the United Nations Charter. For this war against international terrorism to be able to cover all fronts and to be sustainable and imbued with long-term legitimacy, it is imperative that the United Nations play an active and primary role. The global campaign should be complemented at the regional level by coordinated efforts such as those launched by ASEAN just over a week ago. In that way, we will ensure that our response to terrorism is a democratic one. Indonesia has consistently emphasized the role of the United Nations in addressing the unfolding developments in Afghanistan.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This is the spirit to which the first generation of leaders of Asia and Africa gave voice in Bandung in 1955. It guided the founding and the growth of the Non-Aligned Movement and brought about the demise of apartheid. In my region, South-East Asia it gave rise to the birth and growth of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), just as it earlier ushered in the founding and enlargement of the United Nations. It is what we need today to reform the United Nations, to make it a more effective instrument of global peace and development. It is what we need to translate into concrete reality the provisions of the Millennium Declaration. And, indeed, the democratic spirit is what we need in order to wage an effective struggle against the dark forces of international terrorism. Without that spirit, we can only fail.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In this regard, a special case could be made for the teeming millions in the countries of Africa, a continent that has already given so much of itself to the rest of the world. The principle of equality among all human beings must be applied as well in the use of natural resources and its profound impact on the environment. It would be the cruellest form of inequality if the present imbalances in the use of resources among nations were left unaddressed and if the present generation were to use the earth’s resources and leave nothing to sustain future generations of humanity. This yearning for democracy has been with us for a long time. It is the spirit behind every reform movement, the French and American revolutions and the struggle of colonized countries for independence, Indonesia among them.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We may all be paying lip service to the sovereign equality of all nations, but if a reality check shows that multilateralism is on the wane, that in fact means that a good number of developed nations do not really believe that the developing countries thus deprived are their equals. International financial flows for development will resume, the debt burden of poor countries will be eased and barriers to the exports of developing countries will 6 be lifted if and when the entire developed world sincerely regards the developing countries as true equals, and not as recipients of charity. Since people in developing countries, particularly those that are most vulnerable, are down today, they need a helping hand to raise them to a position commensurate with their dignity as equal human beings.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In a democratic setting, that incentive is not available. The same is true with respect to the endeavours to reform the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. So long as the present permanent members see others as not equal to themselves and act on that basis, there will never be equitable representation on the Council. To say that we are reforming the world Organization in order to make it more democratic is to put the cart before the horse. First, let us all embrace democracy and then it will not be difficult to reform the United Nations. In the economic sphere, the fundamental challenge is simply to create a level playing field for all nations, whether it be in trade or international financial flows.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The use of violence against other human beings, whether carried out through nuclear weapons or through small arms, is an assertion of a view that those others have no equal right to life. That is why violence is escalating everywhere and that is why there are terrorists — madmen who regard the lives of innocent people as worthless compared to their political agenda. In a democratic setting, where everyone is committed to equality and every human life is as precious as any other, violence cannot thrive, certainly not on a massive scale. If the nuclear disarmament agenda has not been moving forward, it is because the nuclear Powers enjoy a real advantage over everybody else and those that are nuclear-capable strive to become nuclear Powers themselves. Inequality thus becomes an incentive for nuclear proliferation.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“These are the main lines of our democratic response to the many and formidable challenges that Indonesia must contend with. I have no illusions that they will be met without difficulty and occasional setbacks, but I have faith in the rightness of working for human relationships that are based on the equality of individual human worth. It is the decent, enlightened thing to do. I therefore have no doubt that, ultimately, these measures will yield sufficiently positive results to move us forward on the road of development. I am no less confident that the democratic response will be just as effective in addressing the global challenges of our time. Consider the problem of armed conflicts in various parts of the world.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Both the police and the military have undergone reform and have proven themselves to be faithful to the Constitution and to the democratic process. They have the encouragement of my Government and the Indonesian people as they continue reforming themselves. We will see to it, however, that those who have perpetrated human rights violations, including those who carried out the gross human rights violations in East Timor in the wake of the popular consultation, are brought to justice. Thus, immediately after assuming office, President Megawati Soekarnoputri signed an amending presidential decree that would enable, starting next month, an ad hoc human rights court to adjudicate cases of human rights abuses prior to and following the popular consultation.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In this regard, Members of this Organization have extended overwhelming support for Indonesia’s territorial integrity and national unity, consistent with the principle of the territorial integrity of States enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Through the strict and impartial enforcement of recently passed anti-graft laws, we are cleansing our bureaucracy and corporate sector of the taint of graft and corruption. Through strict and equal application of laws on economic reform, we assure every entrepreneur an equal chance in his business undertakings. We are reforming the legal system and the judiciary so that every individual stands equal before the law, whoever his adversary in litigation may be.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In the case of Indonesia, pivotal to this outcome is the recent introduction of bold and far-reaching measures on the relationship between the central Government and regional 5 authorities in order to address the legitimate aspirations of the societies in the region. Likewise, my Government has made a democratic response to the challenge of separatism in Aceh and Irian Jaya. We will sincerely bring redress for their grievances. We will meet their legitimate demands by introducing special autonomy and a greater sharing of resources, and guarantee respect for their culture and ethnic identities. We will not, however, tolerate any acts of terror or violence for separatist ends against the territorial integrity and national unity of our Republic.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We have been able to manage successive transitions of power in a democratic, peaceful and constitutional manner. Thus, Indonesia today stands proud as one of the largest democracies in the world. As a nation with an overwhelmingly Muslim population, we are the living refutation of the erroneous notion that Islam and democracy are incompatible. Islam has always stood for the equality and fraternity of all human beings and for the optimum exercise of the human will. If only in that, we Indonesians have a natural affinity for democracy. The challenge for all of us is to ensure that democracy works and that it does actually deliver a better life for the people.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“If the problem is basically an imbalance in human relationships, then the solution lies in the rectification of that imbalance — in the recognition that all human beings are of equal worth and have basically equal rights before the law of God and human law. As they are all equals, each is accountable for what he does to any other and everyone’s common sense of justice is satisfied. This solution is not something I discovered on my way to this forum. It is something that we all have known for a very long time now, and we have been calling it democracy. Against the expectations of many outside — and, indeed, within —our own nation over the past three years, and especially the last six months, and in the midst of our financial crisis, Indonesia has relentlessly pursued the difficult process of reform and democratization.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Yet, in confronting these national problems, I do not despair, just as I do not despair in contemplating the global challenges and problems of our time. I believe that all these problems, global and national, can be traced to a single common root — a deficiency in human relationships — for wherever there is inequality and it is not acceptable to the weaker party, there can only be tension and conflict. Wherever the powerful can get away with exploiting the weak, a sense of outrage smoulders and there can be neither stability nor peace. Wherever there is injustice and it is not redressed, there arises a culture of vengeance.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We feel that the situation in Indonesia today already merits the confidence of investors, but we can barely make a good case for this in the light of lingering threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Republic. Like many other developing countries — and, indeed, some developed countries — Indonesia needs to overcome the problem of graft and corruption in its bureaucracies and in the corporate sector. The deficiencies of our legal system and judiciary and the past human rights record of our police and military establishment have produced less than optimum conditions for Indonesia’s economic recovery. These are daunting challenges, as daunting as the global problems that they replicate and reflect.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In the financial crisis of 1997-1998, as the rupia plummeted in value and factories and businesses closed down, millions lost their jobs and were reduced to abject poverty. Since then, our economy has begun to recover. Last year, Indonesia enjoyed an economic growth of some 5 per cent, in contrast to the 13.5 per cent contraction that followed the onset of the financial crisis in 1997. Also, in the year 2000, Indonesia attained a level of trade that surpassed those achieved before the crisis. However, the current global economic downturn, compounded by the events of 11 September, has lowered the expected target for economic growth to 3 per cent in 2001. In the face of these realities, we need massive direct investment flows in order to consolidate our recovery and march steadily on the road of development.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The economies of South-East Asia have just begun to recover from the devastation of a global financial crisis that erupted just a few years ago and already we are facing the unwelcome prospect of its possible recurrence. New international architectures that would shield vulnerable economies from such a crisis remain a distant dream. The global economic environment is simply getting less hospitable to the aspirations of the developing world for growth. Without the resources and technology for sustainable development, developing countries are rapidly losing their natural resources, while the physical environment of the world continues to deteriorate. To us Indonesians, these global problems become even more poignant as they are replicated in our country and as they impact on the lives of our people.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Thus, whole populations — involving millions — are being displaced, maimed or killed, 90 percent of whom are civilians, and the majority of them women, children and the elderly. In the Middle East, the killing of innocent Palestinians continues even while Israeli forces partially withdraw from occupied Palestinian towns. For as long as the inalienable right of the Palestinians to self-determination is being violated with impunity, there can be no lasting peace in that part of the world. In the economic sphere, we have not been able to solve the basic problem of poverty in spite of the fact 4 that we have the resources and the technical capability to at least wage an effective war against this scourge of humankind.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The truth, of course, is that multiple threats and challenges are an inherent and coexisting feature of inter-State relations. We cannot grapple with this threat and leave other threats to wreak havoc on the world. It is the urgent and compelling task of this world Organization to address them all, for each of them has the potential to destroy a large part, if not all, of the human race. The threat of nuclear annihilation is still there. It has by no means faded with the demise of the cold war, as the campaign for nuclear disarmament remains stalled. With conventional weapons, mostly small arms, wars and other forms of mass violence are being carried out in various parts of the world.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“On behalf of the Indonesian delegation, I am pleased to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at the fifty-sixth session. We are pleased that the stewardship of this session has been entrusted to so capable a diplomat from a fraternal Asian country, with which Indonesia has always enjoyed the most cordial of relations. I wish to preface my statement by expressing once again, on behalf of the Government and people of Indonesia, our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Government and people of the United States with regard to the massive tragedy that they suffered recently, and have borne so admirably. Indeed, international terrorism today looms on the horizon as one of the major threats to human life and civilization.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)