YouSaid · the spoken record

Hallgrimsson

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS HALLGRIMSSON

lines on the record: 57
first: 1983-09-24
most recent: 1985-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“It is our firm hope and belief that the results of the United Nations Decade for Women will continue to lead to irreversible improvements in the lot of women in all parts of the world. The United Nations has dedicated this year to the youth of the world. Youth is the future. Let us hope that the preamble of our Charter will become a reality for those who are young now and that they will inherit from us a better international situation and a closer and more dynamic co-operation among the peoples of the Earth than we have ever enjoyed. Let us pledge that we will do our utmost to make the dream come true, that the young generation in the world today will enjoy a happier and more fulfilling life than any generation before, breaking neither the law nor the peace.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The United Nations initiated the Decade for Women which is now nearing its end. In Iceland the Decade began with wide publicity surrounding a work stoppage on United Nations Day, 24 October, in 1.975, the International Women's Year - when Icelandic women took a day off from paid and unpaid work in order to let their contribution to society be clearly felt, realized and appreciated. This important United Nations initiative has had specific legal results in Iceland and has encouraged the development of a greater role for Icelandic women in their society. The successful outcome of the Nairobi Conference was an important achievement in international co-operation, when nearly 160 nations agreed on matters concerning women's welfare in general, and their right to a better life.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The maintenance and expansion of free trade within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is especially important now, in view of the delicate situation of the world economy, and in my opinion a new round of multilateral trade negotiations should be undertaken as soon as possible. Iceland has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and we are among those who believe that this is one of the most important international conventions ever concluded, and a constructive proof of a great united Nations accomplishment in the interest of all mankind. In this important field we must all have one law and therefore we strongly urge all United Nations Member states who have not already done so to ratify or accede to this Convention at their earliest convenience.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“With regard to the critical economic situation in Africa, I welcome the fact that a consensus was reached in the Economic and Social Council this summer on a resolution on this subject. Although concessional flows are important, relaxation of trade restrictions and improved trading terms, including better prices for goods from the developing countries, as well as a shift in agricultural policies, are of no less importance in redressing the situation. Coming from a country heavily dependent on foreign trade, I am deeply concerned over the increasing protectionist pressures apparent in many countries. We must resist the temptation to give way to these pressures, for experience has taught us that in the end everyone will lose.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“It is among the fundamental principles of our Charter that both individual human beings and States have the right to self-determination. All States, in particular those still in the molding process, need the right to choose independently their form of government. And they must have the right to decide for themselves who they want as partners in co-operation, and should never be forced by more powerful States into collaboration they do not want. Cases in point are the brutal military invasions of foreign Powers in Afghanistan and Kampuchea. The success of the North-South dialog in terms of a sensible solution is indeed vital to human rights and welfare. Free trade is in my view a requisite of such a solution.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Through the universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Covenants it has become possible to internationalize action to promote human rights. Violations of human rights are no longer a purely national internal affair as they were considered to be. A vast majority of States is now committed to respecting the human rights conventions. People in some countries where their fellow citizens are still, for political reasons, being killed, imprisoned or taken to lunatic asylums, denied the freedom of travel, dispossessed or deprived of basic human rights, may feel that these conventions are just a piece of paper and nothing more. We certainly understand their despair. The international community, having the right to observe national situations and to react to violations of human rights, should indeed do so wherever these occur.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Such action programs have also been adopted by other countries and will add to the growing pressure which we hope that sooner rather than later will lead the Government of South Africa to abandon the system of apartheid. When directing our efforts towards South Africa, let us not, however, forget the gross injustices in many other countries of the world, improvements must certainly also take place wherever else injustice now reigns. I want to pledge the support of my Government and the Icelandic people to the work and the efforts constantly being made within the framework of the united Nations to further and enhance human rights everywhere in the world. Human rights, democracy and freedom are closely linked and are the prerequisite for a lasting world peace.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The different needs of nations for naval forces to ensure their security in accordance with the united Nations Charter must, of course, be taken into account, as well as the implications for international security. Equal and undiminished security for all states at the lowest practical level of armaments is what we are striving for. Another issue now in the foreground is the odious racial policy of apartheid so brutally pursued by the Government of South Africa. On this issue, the policy of ray Government, indeed of all the Nordic countries, is well known to this Assembly. The five Nordic countries have since 1978 followed a joint program of action against the inhuman, cruel and archaic policy of apartheid.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“It was with this in mind that we co-sponsored General Assembly resolutions for the purpose of carrying out a comprehensive study on naval forces and naval arms systems. A group of governmental experts under the able Chairmanship of Ambassador Alatas of Indonesia has now adopted by consensus and submitted an interesting study on these complex issues. The study underlines vividly the difficult task of making the necessary arrangements to increase mutual trust in order to halt and reverse the naval arms race. The main aim of these efforts is to facilitate the identification of possible areas for disarmament and confidence building measures in the naval field.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“I am unable to explain why the Soviet Union has not up to now been able to agree to effective verification procedures, but I certainly hope that in the negotiations now taking place in Geneva they will recognize the necessity for verification. And indeed I hope that when the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union meet in Geneva in November they will succeed in reaching a mutual understanding on this vital point and thereby make significant progress concerning the limitation of nuclear armaments. The Icelandic people - an island nation - depend for their existence almost exclusively on the living resources of the sea. We are therefore obviously deeply concerned over the increase in the build-up of naval arms.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“And in this speech he says further: "Suggestions have been made for a United Nations Satellite Agency, for seismic stations and for a system of air observations to verify compliance with disarmament undertakings. Given the vital importance of verification to disarmament, the capacity of the United Nations to provide this service, if only in limited circumstances, could constitute a most valuable asset in future disarmament negotiations." In view of these roost pertinent remarks of the Secretary-General, I hope that the Assembly will, as a mark of increasing, realism, in dealing with these vital questions, take good care that resolutions adopted do not lack adequate provisions calling for effective verification.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Verification is a focal point in debates here in this Assembly on disarmament measures. It is generally recognized by experts in this field that there is little if any hope for progress in disarmament negotiations, if an effective system of verification is not an integral part of any agreement the parties are trying to reach. I believe that united Nations experts in disarmament affairs and our Secretary-General share this opinion. In a speech which the Secretary-General delivered at Harvard University on 9 January this year he said, inter alia, that the achievement of future disarmament agreements might be made easier if cognizance is taken of the largely unexploited capacity of the United Nations to serve as an objective monitor of compliance.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“We have asked ourselves time and again: why then have the leading Powers been unable to come to any decisive agreement as it seems to be of such great benefit and advantage for both of them and, indeed, for the whole of mankind? Whenever there have been some breakthroughs, however limited, in this field, high hopes have been raised in the international community. They were regarded as a conciliation between the super-Powers and the first steps towards general and complete disarmament. Unfortunately that has not been the case. But why have the efforts to establish arms control and disarmament been so fruitless? Why were the agreements obtained so imperfect and limited? In my opinion, it is mainly due to the fact that the Soviet Union has not agreed to an effective and mutual verification system.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The arms race and the nuclear threat is of increasing concern to my people and the Althing, our Parliament, unanimously resolved at its last session that it was of the utmost urgency that the nations of the world, not least the nuclear Powers, conclude agreements on reciprocal and comprehensive disarmament, compliance with which would he subject to international control and verification. The two super-Powers have by far the greatest possibility of changing the present situation for the better. They have been at odds and unable to conclude a comprehensive agreement on the reduction of armaments, including nuclear arms. The whole world realizes that a nuclear war may mean total destruction, and the so-called conventional weapons have assumed a destructive power which makes agreements on their control almost equally important.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Many sensible resolutions have been adopted by the Assembly during all these years but, contrary to our earnest hopes, the pace of the arms race has increased in equal proportion to the growing number of resolutions on disarmament and arms limitation adopted each year by the General Assembly. I think we should take the advice of the 11 former Presidents of the General Assembly to reduce the number and length of these resolutions and concentrate our efforts on finding a consensus for their implementation. World military expenditures doubled between 1960 and 1983 to reach $800 billion that year and are estimated to exceed $1,000 billion this year, in 14 years, from 1968 to 1982, the international arms trade and transfers increased threefold. This illustrates the situation and the pace of the arms race.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Respect for international law and order can be strengthened and parties to disputes made to abide by resolutions of the Security Council only if the Member States stand united behind the Secretary-General and the Organization in their efforts to bring this about. Article 26 of the Charter gives the Security Council a leading role in the establishment of a system for the regulation of armaments. The Council has been unable to achieve this goal. However, arms limitations and disarmament have been among the main topics of the General Assembly. The arms race began in the early years of the United Nations.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Has not the time come for us to do something effective to halt and prevent all armed conflicts, which are so costly in human lives and cause such infinite misery? Has not the time come to take full advantage of the provisions of the Charter and thus make the Security Council the true and effective guardian of international peace, as the founding fathers intended? Has not the time come for us to strengthen the Secretary-General's role in this field and help him develop early-warning procedures to tackle world crises before they unfold? It is indeed timely. And in this connection permit me once again to draw members' attention to the proposals of the five Nordic Foreign Ministers dealing with exactly this subject which were introduced in the Security Council and the General Assembly two years ago.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The Preamble to our Charter states that the United Nations was founded "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war." However, according to the most recent statistics published by the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs, 20 million people have been killed in some 150 wars during the 40 years of the existence of the United Nations -3 million more lives lost than in the Second World War. It is worth considering that, throughout this period, Western Europe and North America have enjoyed peace, and the thought is prevalent to credit this to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which was established in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Let me only stress that, while urging the States Members of the United Nations to refrain from the use of armed force and to seek a solution of their internal as well as external differences through conciliation and compromise, it is imperative that we do not lose sight of any of the basic principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are many burning world issues to be dealt with at this Assembly, some of which, hopefully, will be brought closer to being resolved.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“and now I think it wise that we should not let those rule who most want to contend, but should mediate so between them that each keeps something of his cause, and we should all keep one law and one faith. It will prove true that as we sunder the law, so shall we sunder the peace." He, who was himself a heathen, then declared that all men should be Christians. Those who had adhered to the old faith were permitted to continue certain religious practices but only on the condition that they did so in complete privacy, with no witnesses present - thus spelling the gradual dying out of the heathen faith. The speech speaks for itself and requires no comment or explanation on my part.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“This was certainly one of the most critical moments in the entire history of my people. The matter was referred for arbitration to one of the wisest of the chieftains. After due reflection he delivered his verdict in what is the earliest parliamentary speech on record in my country. This speech of a thousand years ago is brief, and its brevity could serve as an example to us who address this Assembly. For the lasting wisdom it contains, however, allow me to share with the Assembly the account of this memorable speech: " [He] said that he thought the state of the nation to have come to a sorry pass if people did not all keep one law in this land... and that it would lead to such discord, surely to be expected, that fighting would take place amongst the people such as would destroy the land ...”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The success of our efforts will in large degree depend on the approach we adopt: whether we approach the unsolved problems with some flexibility in a spirit of conciliation or whether we enter on or continue along a dead-end course. All our peoples have at one point or another been faced with crises or critical situations. Trying to master them is of course most important, but almost equally important is to grasp the lessons that such ordeals can teach those who are ready to learn. We can no doubt learn much from each other's experience. Almost a thousand years ago a civil war was about to break out in my country during a parliamentary session between those who wanted the nation to keep its faith in the old heathen gods and those who advocated Christianity.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“In my view our Organization could not have been given a more significant and useful anniversary present than the wise recommendations they have advanced. It only remains for us to adopt the improvements they have recommended to us. I am not one of those who maintain the view that the Charter of the United Nations is basically at fault and-requires drastic revision and amendments. I consider the Charter a remarkable document - in fact, a milestone in the history of human progress. The problem is not the imperfections of the Charter but the lack of political will to implement its provisions fully. It is believed that history is apt to repeat itself. The role of the United Nations - our role - is to prevent undesirable things from repeating themselves in relations between States in so far as this is humanly possible.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“The criticism has sometimes been unfair and unfounded, but unfortunately it has too often been justified. Constructive and positive criticism is always in order, and, indeed, necessary, because only with such criticism will improvements be made. In any statement at the thirty-ninth session I criticized, as have many others, the organization of work of the General Assembly, its working methods and its perpetual repetition of resolutions, some for decades, instead of earnestly seeking the solution of the problems they address. I therefore read with great attention the conclusions of 11 former Presidents of the Assembly, reflecting their views and proposals, as a result of their deliberation last June on the crisis of unilateralism as it affects the United Nations an improvement of the General Assembly.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Allow me to join my colleagues who have congratulated the President upon his election. I am convinced that his skills and wisdom, based not least on his long experience as an active participant in the work of the Organization, will greatly help him in his high office. I also wish to associate myself with those who have expressed their condolences to the Government and the people of Mexico on their great loss in the great disaster that has befallen their country. Iceland welcomes Brazil's proposal, and its acceptance, of an international relief effort through the United Nations system. The fortieth session is indeed a proper forum to take stock and to review past achievements as well as failures and shortcomings. We know that there are many who have been, and are, ready to criticize the Organization.”
1985-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 40 (1985)
“Let that faith give us strength to renew our pledges and to seek the fullest possible implementation of the noble ideals which are the comer-stone of the United Nations.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“This truly reflects the variety of the membership, as well as the fact that all nations, large and small, have a stake in United Nations efforts to build a better world. 204. Through experience mankind has acquired knowledge of forms of democratic government which, however imperfect, guarantee as far as is humanly possible the well-being of the peoples. Nevertheless, totalitarian, undemocratic methods deny such well-being to large populations on many continents. 205. We still have a long way to go. Let us not, however, underestimate the progress we have made during the almost four decades since the United Nations came into being. Our inability in past years to reverse the arms race throws a shadow over our hopes for immediate improvements. Nevertheless, let us not lose faith in a still brighter and better future.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The developed countries must open up their markets for products from the third world. Development assistance from the industrialized countries will not alone solve the serious difficulties of the developing countries; they must also be granted, infer the benefits of free trade. Similarly, the industrialized countries should, in their overall trade relations, eliminate barriers and other protectionist measures, such as government subsidies, which hamper the normal, efficient division of labour between countries. 203. On this first day of the Assembly's general debate there are on the list of speakers representatives of some of the biggest and some of the smallest States Members of the Organization.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Since, through bilateral or multilateral treaties freely entered into, we have undertaken mutual obligations, we have no right to expect immunity from criticism if we fail to live up to our commitments. In this context, I must say that it has been most deplorable to see the peoples of many countries suffer from flagrant breaches of human rights obligations. For instance, and the treatment in a number of countries of individuals who have been claiming basic human rights for themselves and their fellow citizens cause us the gravest concern. A case in point is the sad affair of Andrei Sakharov and his wife, Yelena Bonner. 202. The need to improve the lot of the least developed countries of the world and to strengthen the basis for their economic survival cannot be overemphasised.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“However, the possibility of success depends above all on the behaviour of States—not just on words spoken from this rostrum or elsewhere. 200. The building of genuine democracy among the world's nations—that is, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for the sovereignty of States and the right of peoples to self-determination, the rule of law prevailing over the rule of force, and a more just distribution of economic resources— is the overriding pre-condition from which increased confidence will flow. All this and much more is pledged by all States when signing the Charter of the United Nations joining the Organization, but a different degree of implementation causes imbalance and insecurity. 201. First and foremost, each and all of us must put our own house in order.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Its origins may be found in the distrust between leading nations that took its current shape soon after the Second World War. Ail attempts to ameliorate this most unfortunate situation have until now been in vain. No durable confidence has been built between the leading Powers of the world. The building of confidence is therefore the single most important task now before the international community. Our attempts to move forward on this narrow and difficult road to a new and more peaceful world situation must be intensified. For that purpose, full use must be made of this unique forum where we are gathered now and its various organs and of the on-going Conference on Confidence- and Security-building Measures and Disarmament in Europe, meeting at Stockholm.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“This aspect of the current military build-up world-wide may become the subject of further debate during next year's session of the General Assembly, when it is hoped that the study on the naval arms race, which was decided upon at the thirty-eighth session will be completed. 198. Any arms control agreement reached must contain adequate provisions for effective verification. Any State which accepts mutual treaty obligations in disarmament or other fields with the intention of fulfilling them does not have to hesitate about committing itself to reciprocal verification procedures. 199. I totally share the view of the Secretary-General that the main obstacle to disarmament and arms limitation is the insecurity of nations.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“It would indeed be fortunate if contacts during this session of the General Assembly could bring about such a basic change of atmosphere, mitigating the agony that the current state of affairs is causing mankind. 196. Our aim must be a comprehensive solution of the disarmament question, the attainment of which must be dealt with effectively as a matter of the greatest urgency and priority. Partial or regional arms limitation agreements which only lead to the transfer of arsenals to new locations are bound to have limited value and can even create new dangers. 197. As a spokesman for a country like Iceland, which derives its livelihood from the precarious living resources of the sea, I must voice our grave concern at the acceleration of the naval arms race.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“In so far as peoples themselves are free to decide, it should thus be possible to preserve the peace. However, not all peoples are masters of their own fate. Under such circumstances our gravest concern is the relentless arms race and the paradox that military spending this year will reach a trillion dollars while a large part of mankind is starving. It is therefore a matter of the greatest urgency that the leading military Powers multiply their efforts to limit and reduce conventional and nuclear weapons. 195. It is to be hoped that the Soviet Union, having for almost a year been unwilling to continue negotiations on some of the most threatening types of weapons now in existence, will reconsider its attitude.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“A communique giving the Ministers' views on these matters has been distributed to all delegations at the United Nations and to the Secretary-General. The Ministers reaffirmed the strong support of the Nordic countries for the United Nations. They underlined the essential role of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace and the need to strengthen the Organization's effectiveness in conflicts and crisis situations. They reiterated that respect for the fundamental principles of international law as laid down in the Charter of the United Nations must be the guideline for the conduct of all States. They also stressed the importance of preserving the universal character of the United Nations. 194. It is self-evident that all nations desire peace.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The gavel you use, Sir, in presiding over this world Assembly, which was created by an Icelandic sculptor, Asmundur Sveinsson, also reflects the changes that have occurred among the Nordic peoples through the centuries. The gavel's head shows a Viking praying for peace, a theme chosen by the artist. 192. The Nordic peoples, who in olden times raided and fought against other peoples, now wish to live in peace and to share with others a life-style which has its origins in the noble ideals that all of us, the signatories of the Charter of the United Nations, have declared as our goals. 193. The current situation in world affairs and some of the major issues on the agenda of this session were the subject of a traditional meeting of the five Nordic Ministers for Foreign Affairs in Reykjavik earlier this month.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“This session of the General Assembly—which will be attended by so many influential political leaders and officials—will offer us an opportunity to start moving again. Let us all try to the best of our abilities to contribute to such a serious new effort to eliminate some of the great problems besetting our nations and the world community as a whole. 190. The five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden—which were not always friendly in past centuries have now over a long period derived the benefits of close and effective co-operation in a great number of fields. Living conditions and daily life in this area of the world reflect an evolution which would be beneficial to all who adopt a similar course. 191.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“In his very interesting appraisal of the current world situation, the Secretary-General mentions the "tendency to side-step major problems in a way which is likely in the long run to increase frustration and bitterness" and also "an apparent reluctance to make the effort required to use international organizations effectively". 189. At the outset of the thirty-ninth session the situation in many parts of the world calls for new methods and fresh efforts in an attempt to attain genuine improvement. Action will have to replace words and active negotiations the passing of hollow resolutions. All States, without regard to their size but based on their ability to contribute honestly, should participate in this process.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Are we going to deal with the great number of important issues on the agenda of this session of the General Assembly by wrapping them into fine words or drowning them in inconsistent or unrealistic resolutions, and then forget all about them until the opening of another equally unsatisfactory session? 187. Are we now, as in last year's session—and similarly before that—going to adopt 63 resolutions on disarmament without any real effort to reconcile our differences or to point a way out of the present impasse? Should that be the case, the prospects would really be bleak. 188.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Nothing very positive seems to have occurred since then. Some might even be tempted to say that we have rather been moving still further in the wrong direction. On this first day of the Assembly's general debate, it seems appropriate to ask the following questions. Where are we heading? What is this session likely to accomplish? Is it going to accomplish anything truly important? 186. In a very noteworthy interview not long ago one of the veterans of this Organization, the former representative of Singapore, Mr. Koh, said: "Nothing is moving at the United Nations at the moment." Is this to be the case also in the months—or even years—to come?”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“But how successful are we in making use of this unique forum to advance our basic ideals of peace, prosperity and human rights enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations? How successful have we been in creating the kind of world our peoples have so long wished for but been denied in this twentieth century of two world wars and almost innumerable armed conflicts? Are we making progress towards our goals or are we drifting away from them? 185. At the end of last year, when the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly had pondered the world situation for three months, your predecessor, Sir, Mr. Illueca, of Panama, summed it up by saying that that session had been: "the mirror in which mankind has seen reflected the multifaceted aspects of the profound crisis of the modem world".”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I take pleasure, Sir, in joining previous speakers who have warmly congratulated you on your election as President of the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. I am confident that your wisdom and experience will be of great value. 182. Allow me also to take this opportunity to welcome Brunei Darussalam as the 159th Member of the United Nations and to extend to this newly independent State my country's sincere wishes for a peaceful future. 183. The General Assembly, at its sessions each year, could be the most important forum in the world. It is a unique gathering where representatives of a great variety of States express and exchange views on a great variety of issues. 184.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“One of the most notable accomplishments of the United Nations is the conclusion of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea signed in Jamaica nine months ago, after long and arduous negotiations. This result is a matter for great satisfaction, and it is hoped that the Convention will enter into force as soon as possible. It not only marks an end to numerous disputes over the law of the sea but offers a framework for the settlement of such conflicts. It also stands as a monument and as proof, reminding us that with patience and endurance complex problems facing the world community can be peacefully solved. As such, the Convention is a source of both satisfaction and encouragement, and holds out promise for the future. We all hope that the United Nations may prosper and grow in influence in years to come.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“These strained relations are reflected in the work of the Security Council and, indeed, in that of the whole United Nations system, and they impede the efforts to find solutions to immediate as well as long-term problems. I have deliberately dwelt on issues that our nations and the Organization have not been able to solve. I have chosen to discuss the issues generally and on a wide basis, rather than to go into particular matters. But in spite of disappointment and near desperation over the many unresolved issues with which the world community is faced, let us not forget the progress that we have made on the issues we have been able to solve.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Council should develop procedures for initiating action in an early stage of conflicts in order to prevent the use of force. The Council should also devote more attention to the implementation of its decisions. Periodic meetings of the Council in accordance with the Charter should be seriously considered. "Relations of trust and co-operation between the Security Council and the Secretary-General are of crucial importance for the ability of the United Nations to prevent or to solve conflicts. The Secretary-General should be given all possible support in his endeavours to make full use of the role assigned to him by the Charter in this field." Our hopes will, however, not be realized unless the atmosphere of hostility which now exists is improved.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Some measures are also required to strengthen the ability of the United Nations to play its key role, and in particular to act effectively to halt conflicts and settle crises in order to preserve peace in the world. This last question has of late been the subject of a study undertaken jointly by the five Nordic countries. That study produced a report which was transmitted to the Secretary-General on 10 June last and, at the request of the five countries, circulated by him as an official document of the General Assembly. I shall cite here two points we consider especially important in the conclusions of this Nordic report, which we hope will be closely studied by other delegations: "The efficiency of the Security Council should be improved.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“A minor mishap, not to mention any major disaster, could have the gravest consequences for our fish banks, and thus on the whole on our economy. But not for us alone. The oceans as a foodstore for mankind, millions of whom are starving, makes their preservation our common concern. Let us bear this firmly in mind and act accordingly. Iceland and the other Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, all regard the United Nations as having a key role to play in our efforts to improve the international situation. The noble goals set out in the Charter have as yet to be realized, but the Charter and its goals remain nevertheless valid. We, individually, must all renew our vows to fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by us under the Charter.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“And the possibility that a scientific breakthrough in this field may alter the overall situation as did the atom bomb in the Second World War encourages the superpowers to spend huge amounts on military research and development. These facts should further demonstrate the dire need for tangible results in the ongoing negotiations between the super-Powers in Geneva relating to strategic weapons and intermediate-range missiles. We welcome indeed the new United States proposals which President Reagan explained earlier today. Now it is up to the Soviet Union to respond in a positive manner. We Icelanders base our economy first and foremost on the resources of the sea. We are therefore deeply concerned about the military buildup in the oceans.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We do not want closed borders that turn whole countries into prisons. We believe that freedom of information and human interrelations across borders remove suspicion and that democracy gives protection against those who govern. In democracies, the leaders must obtain a majority to appropriate funds for armaments, as opposed to the practice of dictatorships. Democracy '.s therefore a means toward disarmament, but democracy must not become its own undoing, while dictatorships continue their arms buildup. We must maintain our demand for mutual and complete disarmament under effective international verification. The development of the arms buildup has been such that arms reduction and disarmament will not be a simple matter. There is some argument as to how a balance may be defined and achieved in this respect.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Our belief in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person is confirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These declarations must not continue to be a dead letter, as has been the case in most parts of the world. The gap which separates solemn obligations and their implementation must be bridged. This will best be achieved by instituting and strengthening the system of democracy, in which the rights of the individual are observed and secured and government is the servant of the people and not their master. I once visited one of the greatest zoos of the world in the company of its director. 1 asked the director which animal was most difficult to keep. Even though such an answer gives food for thought, we do not want a world where people are kept behind bars.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)