YouSaid · the spoken record

Andrea Willi

lines on the record: 78
first: 1994-09-24
most recent: 2000-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
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

“Cooperation by small States must never be interpreted as capitulation; cooperation implies consideration of the rights and interests of all.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We therefore regret, in particular, recent proceedings by some international and regional bodies directed against certain financial centres, including Liechtenstein. The lack of transparency and the manner in which this was done are not in conformity with the established principles and procedures of international cooperation. These established principles and procedures must guide the cooperation between States and the resolution of difficulties they may have. International cooperation must be handled in the same way when large States are dealing with small States and when small States are dealing with large States. No organization should be allowed to depart from established practice in international relations.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In our view, international cooperation in the global fight against money laundering can only be enhanced if all international financial services centres work towards full implementation of internationally agreed standards, and my Government therefore fully supports the objectives of the United Nations Global Programme against Money Laundering (GPML) Forum. The approach must, however, be transparent, inclusive and non-discriminatory, and the positive action already taken or being taken by individual countries must be properly recognized. Any punitive approach, including the establishment of lists and the imposition of sanctions on individual jurisdictions, as well as the failure to distinguish between the fight against money laundering and tax issues, runs counter to the spirit of international cooperation.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Together with 12 women Foreign Ministers, I last night signed a letter addressed to the Secretary-General in which we noted the special needs of women in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, and called upon the United Nations membership to take into account the need for an enhanced availability of education, testing, counselling, care and treatment designed to address the specific needs of women and girls. Liechtenstein fully supports the fight against transnational organized crime, in particular trafficking in persons, and offences against children as well as the fight against money laundering. Financial crime is 25 increasingly a key concern in today's open and global financial world, which is characterized by the high mobility of funds and the rapid development of new payment tools.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In recent years, human rights have become more important in foreign policy and in the world economy. There is increased awareness that human rights issues cannot be considered in an isolated manner, since there is a clear connection between human rights and economic prosperity, social welfare, and peace and security. The full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by women must be the basis for full equality in a stable society and we must continue to take further action in order to achieve the full advancement and empowerment of women.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The ICC's potential for prevention is certainly one of its outstanding characteristics. An effective criminal court will make an important contribution to terminating the practice of impunity which has prevailed for so long without being seriously challenged. Liechtenstein has always supported enhanced United Nations cooperation with regional organizations, inter alia, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as the Council of Europe, in particular in the areas of human rights, conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation. The promotion and protection of human rights can also contribute to the prevention of conflicts. This is more than a legitimate concern for all of us it is our duty. Ever since Liechtenstein became a Member of the United Nations 10 years ago, this issue has been a top priority.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“It is time to free ourselves of biased and obsolete thinking and to recognize that the effective application and exercise of the right of self-determination is the basis for preventing internal conflicts and the violent disintegration of States. The adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1998 was an historic step. The conclusion of the work on the elements of crimes and the rules of procedure by the Preparatory Commission this summer was a further step forward, and the ratification process is promising. We hope to be able to contribute to the entry into force of the Statute soon. It is of crucial importance that the integrity of the Rome Statute be maintained throughout the remaining work to be done by the Preparatory Commission. The qualities of the ICC have often been praised.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The term `culture of prevention' entails a comprehensive approach to different kinds of problems. However, preventive approaches can be perceived as a threat to the sovereignty of a State. The classic notion of the term obviously no longer enables us to cope with the changed realities of the world. The sovereignty of States remains a cornerstone of the United Nations. Creating a culture of prevention is therefore a process that requires a concerted effort by the United Nations membership as a whole. Addressing the root causes of so many of today's internal conflicts will constitute a further step in meeting this humanitarian, political and economic necessity. Liechtenstein has for several years promoted ideas and suggestions on a preventive approach with regard to problems arising from the application of the right of self-determination.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“For Liechtenstein, as for many other countries, the United Nations stands for the protection of human rights and human dignity and for the promotion of common values. The United Nations has been particularly challenged during the last 12 months in playing its rightful role in the pursuit of peace and security. Although remarkable efforts have been made, some conflict situations still do not allow for effective peacekeeping to take place. When the Secretary- General called last year for a culture of prevention, my delegation fully supported his ideas and we still believe that the prevention of conflicts must be the key concept in the maintenance of peace. We all know that preventing conflicts can save hundreds of thousands of lives. Political energy and enormous financial resources can be used for other purposes.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Allow me to begin my remarks by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your election to the presidency of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly. I wish you much success in guiding the Assembly to a fruitful outcome and I pledge to you the full support of the Liechtenstein delegation. I would also like to congratulate the newest Member, Tuvalu, on its admission to the United Nations and in particular, to welcome Tuvalu into the group of small countries. 24 I have had the honour of participating in the general debate before, but this year is very special. It marks the tenth anniversary of Liechtenstein's membership in the United Nations. I would therefore like to include in my remarks some of the issues to which Liechtenstein attaches particular importance in its United Nations engagement.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“It is time to free ourselves from biased and obsolete thinking and to recognize that the effective application and exercise of the right of self-determination is the basis for preventing violent disintegration of States as well as internal armed conflicts with all their gruesome aspects and endless human suffering.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We all have known for very long, since the adoption by the General Assembly of the Friendly Relations Declaration in 1970, that this is not correct. Self-determination can mean many other things, if exercised in a flexible manner and based on a dialogue between the parties concerned. It does not have to lead to the break-up of States; it should rather facilitate the peaceful coexistence of States and communities which are provided a degree of self-administration or self-governance as an expression of their right of self-determination.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We thus welcome the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization and his very inspiring and timely remarks on a “culture of prevention”. We are convinced that this is the right way for the international community to go. Kosovo has been and somewhat sadly remains a prime example of the need for prevention. Liechtenstein has for several years now promoted ideas and suggestions on a preventive approach with regard to problems arising from the application of the right of self-determination. The international community remains stuck in a situation in which the exercise of the right of self-determination — which is the prerequisite for the enjoyment of all human rights — is denied because it is misunderstood as a claim to independence and statehood.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Preventive measures are the best means of saving lives and resources of every kind, and they can be carried out quickly and with discretion. Prevention does not make big news headlines, but it reduces the number of headlines on disasters, of which we continue to see just too many. The potential of prevention is enormous, but its application so far is too modest and far too limited. We know that there is still reluctance and hesitation, but we feel a sense of urgency, a pressing need to enhance preventive activities and to replace a classical concept of sovereignty — a concept that is outdated in many aspects — with a new one which enables us to tackle situations of potential and actual crisis with determination and efficiency.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“At the same time, we also have questions, and we notice that others do too. How can we reconcile the role given to the Security Council under the Charter of the United Nations with a “humanitarian intervention” not mandated by the Council? What does this mean for the future of the Security Council and of the Organization as a whole? Are regional organizations to assume a leading role that goes beyond what is contained in Chapter VIII of the Charter? It will be important to discuss these 33 questions, though finding satisfactory answers is certainly difficult. To our mind, Kosovo has made it very clear once more that the prevention of conflicts must be the key concept in conflict-resolution as well as in other areas.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“For a long time we have talked about all aspects of such a reform, including the composition of the Council. The moment has come for us to recognize that the question of the veto is at the core of every credible and sustainable Security Council reform. My country has long expressed concern about the situation in Kosovo and has asked for preventive efforts in order to avoid an escalation of this situation. In solidarity with the victims and wanting to take some responsibility for them, Liechtenstein has given temporary shelter to a large number of Kosovar refugees, has participated in the provision of humanitarian assistance, in particular through the relevant United Nations agencies, and has expressed full support to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and to the ongoing efforts of reconstruction.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“But we also have to bear in mind the immense importance of the work of the Council and must have a certain appreciation of why the public focuses only on the Council's work, erroneous as this approach may be. It is simply a fact that the credibility of the United Nations depends to a very large extent on the credibility of the work of the Security Council. This credibility has suffered serious blows in the recent past, and we cannot afford to ignore the root causes of the problem. We have to address the existing problems and to design ways and means to avoid further, perhaps irreversible, damage. Strict observance of the key provisions of the Charter is one essential element in this respect, and reform of the Security Council is another.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The challenges of globalization make further measures necessary, such as the enhanced inclusion, participation and accountability of non- State actors. In a globalized world, such actors play increasingly influential roles, both positive and negative. Persons and organizations that constitute significant economic forces have to be involved in our considerations and decision-making processes. Actors such as terrorists and parties to internal armed conflicts have to be held accountable for their actions and for the consequences thereof. The public at large often mistakenly equates the United Nations with the work of only the Security Council. This is factually wrong, and we should use every opportunity to inform people worldwide about the wide range of activities carried out by our Organization and its specialized agencies.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Some of us welcome this new era, some of us fear it. However different our opinions, there can and should be one common denominator: that we acknowledge the arrival of this new era and that we join our forces to face its challenges. Globalization has two faces: it offers a potential, from which — if properly explored — mankind as a whole can benefit. It also contains risks, especially for those who are already in a perilous position. In order to be able to face these two enormous tasks efficiently, we have to work together, because that is the only way for us to succeed. The United Nations is the sole forum that is of truly global range, and thus it offers the only opportunity for us to address these issues — assuming we are equipped with the right tools. The past years have been characterized by important and far-reaching reform efforts.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The general debate is an important opportunity for all of us to take stock, to comment on the state of the Organization, to voice our concerns and, if necessary, dissatisfaction and, most important, to offer constructive thoughts and ideas for the future. At the time when Liechtenstein became a Member of the United Nations, nine years ago, the cold war had just come to an end, and we tried to identify the challenges and opportunities created by the new situation. The hopes and expectations were high, the concerns and problems manifold. It was clear to many of us that our Organization was not fully equipped to face the upcoming challenges, and, indeed, mistakes have happened along the way. Today, we can say that the somewhat perverse order of the cold war has been replaced by the era of globalization.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This is the sixth time that I have had the honour to address the General Assembly, and it is a great pleasure for me to be back here in this body. I would, at the outset, like to congratulate Mr. Gurirab warmly on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session. Both Liechtenstein and Namibia figure among the younger Members of this Organization, since both our countries were admitted to the United Nations in 1990. The 32 President can count on Liechtenstein's support as he guides the Assembly to fruitful outcomes. I would also like to extend our warm welcome to the Kingdom of Tonga, the Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Nauru.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The Liechtenstein Research Programme on Self- determination, conducted at Princeton University, has continued and increased its activities over the past year, and we have noted with great satisfaction and gratitude the interest and contributions from a large number of permanent missions in New York. We will continue to try and enhance political support for our ideas, which we hope can make a contribution to the effectiveness of our Organization in the future.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We are more convinced than ever that a more innovative and flexible application and implementation of this right has great potential to defuse tensions and prevent conflicts within States — the type of conflicts with which the international community is most commonly faced these days. A genuine political dialogue between central Governments and communities living within States lies at the heart of our ideas, the ultimate goal of which is the prevention of tendencies by such communities to claim statehood and attempt to achieve this goal through violent means.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“As with other crises in the recent past, most notably the one in Rwanda, the outbreak of violence in Kosovo came as a surprise to nobody, and yet not enough was done to prevent it. Further developing the concept of prevention and translating it into concrete action remains, therefore, in our view, one of the most important issues on the agenda of the United Nations, and the increased involvement of women in preventive diplomacy continues to be of particular importance to us. We note with gratitude the signs of an increased political will to support the concept of prevention, while we believe that more concerted and determined efforts to this end have to be made. We are ready to make our contribution, and I would like to recall in this context once again our initiative on the right of self-determination.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Liechtenstein condemns the numerous and serious violations of international humanitarian law in this conflict and remains very concerned about the situation of the civilian population and the potential impact of the developments in Kosovo on regional stability. Preventing a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and finding a viable political solution are the two most important issues for a solution to the Kosovo crisis, which poses a clear threat to international peace and security and should therefore be dealt with appropriately by the United Nations. It has become clear once again that the capacity of our Organization to deal with such challenges needs to be enhanced and improved.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) of 1968 and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty of 1996 constitute, if fully implemented, two cornerstones of such a regime. Other measures will be necessary, and it is of crucial significance that all countries stand ready to make their contribution to solving this issue in the interest of all of us. Our own region has been affected by the crisis in the former Yugoslavia for many years now. We all welcomed the conclusion of the Dayton Agreements, because they 33 brought an end to the terrible suffering of the people in the former Yugoslavia. We remain concerned, however, at the slow process of implementation, especially with regard to the civilian aspects of the Agreements. The year 1998 has brought about a new crisis of alarming dimensions: the conflict in Kosovo.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Constructive and serious work in the Preparatory Commission and a speedy process of signature and ratification are the most important tasks for the imminent future, and we hope that the General Assembly will send out a strong message to this end. As a participant in the Rome Conference and as one of the first signatories of the Statute, Liechtenstein stands ready to make its contribution. One of the most disturbing developments in the past year took place in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. Liechtenstein continues to condemn all nuclear tests and has expressed its concern at the impact of the tests conducted this year on political stability in the region concerned. This matter touches on the very existence of humankind, and thus we have to make every effort to create a non-proliferation regime which is just, effective and credible.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“While the International Criminal Court is not a human rights court, we consider the Rome Statute to be a very important contribution to Human Rights Year. We welcome the outcome of the Rome Conference as an achievement of truly historic dimensions and — like the Ottawa process — as an example of the fruitful role civil society can play in an intergovernmental negotiating process of high complexity. While we would have preferred to give the International Criminal Court more far-reaching competence, we are very satisfied and encouraged to note that what seemed like a dream just a few years ago now has a chance to become a reality. It is of crucial importance to realize that the adoption of the statute was not the end of the process, but, rather, a decisive step which requires determined follow-up and further hard work from all of us.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Another welcome and necessary measure is the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on children in armed conflicts. We pledge our full support to the activities undertaken by Mr. Olara Otunnu and express our hope that his office will be provided with the necessary human and financial resources to fulfil its far-reaching and complex tasks. We are disappointed that it has not yet been possible to adopt an optional protocol on children in armed conflicts, which could make a major contribution in this respect. A very important and timely impetus to the cause of human rights and international humanitarian law was provided by the adoption of the Statute of an International Criminal Court this summer in Rome.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“I am pleased to announce that the Liechtenstein parliament has approved accession to the International Covenants on Human Rights, as well as to the protocols to the second Covenant. We fully subscribe to the principle that all human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing and have thus to be treated on the same footing. There is, however, one area to which we would like to give particular emphasis, namely, the promotion and protection of the rights of children, which warrant our special attention. The scope and number of violations of the rights of the child are particularly disturbing, and we are grateful to note that the international community has in the recent past stepped up its efforts to combat some of the most outrageous forms of such violations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action have been a key element in the human rights deliberations for half a decade now. The value and importance of this document have become very clear during this period of time, while the implementation of many of its contents has been slow and not satisfactory. The Vienna document is complementary to the previously existing instruments and standards in the field of human rights. Our main task is to ensure that these high-quality standards under international law are made a reality in daily life for people worldwide, since there continues to be a very noticeable deep gap between these standards and their implementation in practice.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We hope this event will send a powerful message to the world that the United Nations and its Member States are aware of the need for genuine and effective national policies and international cooperation in order to achieve the standards established in this area by the United Nations. The Universal Declaration constitutes a milestone in the history of human rights activities of the United Nations and the basis for the remarkable achievements made over the following years and decades. Therefore, it is our view that on 10 December we should reaffirm in strong and clear terms the contents of this Declaration, as well as our commitment to fully implement its provisions, in order to ensure that all individuals worldwide benefit from the standards set out in the Declaration.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“After a series of major conferences in the first half of this decade, we now have to tackle the important task of addressing the follow-up processes to these major events, in order to ensure that the relevant final documents are implemented on the national and international levels and thus translated into concrete action for the benefit of people worldwide. This year, we celebrate both the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action five years ago and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which is usually referred to as the 32 “50 plus 5” anniversary.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We remain committed to the reform process and hope that the ongoing changes will bring about the urgently needed improvement in the financial situation of the Organization. We share the Secretary-General?s deep concern at the deterioration of the security situation of United Nations personnel involved in field operations and the view that determined action by the General Assembly is needed to address this problem, which poses a threat to many core activities of the United Nations. On the positive side, we share the satisfaction felt at the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti- personnel Mines next spring and are pleased to announce that Liechtenstein will deposit its own instrument of ratification very soon.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“I wish to welcome at the outset the President of the General Assembly at its fifty- third session. He has assumed a difficult and important task, and we have full confidence in his ability to give this body the direction required at a time when many complex issues are on its agenda. I would like to pay tribute to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has continued to represent our Organization in an outstanding manner and to whom we are all indebted for initiating a comprehensive reform process. His presentation of the report on the work of the Organization at the beginning of the general debate has provided us with a clear picture of where the United Nations stands today and of the major issues we must address.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The capacity of the United Nations to deal with the challenges of the future, however, will depend on our decisions on the reform of the Organization, decisions which we have to take now. Today, I wish to renew Liechtenstein’s commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations. We are willing to contribute to the extent possible so that this chance to renew the United Nations will not pass us by.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Ever since, we have consolidated and further developed our ideas, and we would like to thank all those who have given us active support in this endeavour. At the end of October, the Liechtenstein Research Program in Self-Determination at the Woodrow Wilson School of Princeton University will continue its series of conferences devoted to issues of self-government and self- administration. I would like to renew to all here our invitation to attend the next conference, which will take place from 31 October to 1 November. We hope that this conference will provide a deeper understanding of the complex issues underlying the concept of self- determination, which has played such an outstanding role in the history of our Organization. We hope that this initiative can be a positive contribution to the future work of the United Nations.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Special attention should be given to the situation of women in armed conflicts, including refugee women. Women are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and human rights violations, both before they flee and as refugees. In the Beijing Platform of Action, the need to provide protection, assistance and training to refugee women and displaced women is clearly recognized. Liechtenstein first introduced in 1991 an initiative on the right of self-determination, the ultimate goal of which is to enable States facing internal problems — be they between the central Government and communities or between communities within States — to cope with these problems in a peaceful and flexible manner on the basis of international law and through constructive dialogue.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“The Liechtenstein Government has since taken a number of appropriate measures, while a comprehensive package containing detailed further action is presently being prepared. The role of women in preventive diplomacy and in peacekeeping and the persistent absence of women from peace negotiations are of particular concern to my delegation. The more active participation of women in conflict resolution should be promoted, since women bring different perspectives and innovative approaches to preventive diplomacy as well as to peacekeeping. The equal access and full participation of women in decision-making at all levels and in power structures, including challenging assignments, such as serving as special representatives of the Secretary-General, are also important in the area of the promotion and maintenance of peace and security.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We wholeheartedly support the establishment of the international criminal court, which will constitute a milestone in the history of international law, and we continue to believe that that court has to be strong and independent if it is to make an effective contribution to the protection of human rights and the observance of international humanitarian law. It is of crucial importance that the General Assembly agree at this session on the precise dates for the diplomatic conference and that that decision allow for the fullest possible participation by small States, which have a particular interest in this matter. Two years ago, we adopted the Declaration and Platform of Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Initiatives and actions have been taken towards the implementation of these commitments.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“While the adoption of the treaty will constitute a milestone in the history of both disarmament and international humanitarian law, further steps will be needed, and the participation of as many States as possible in the meeting which will bring the process back to Ottawa in December will be a crucial element in those efforts. Liechtenstein plans to sign the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction and is committed to its ratification at the earliest possible date. The establishment of an international criminal court is another area in which we have been able to make significant progress over the past year, and we are approaching the date of the diplomatic conference at which the statute of the court will be adopted.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“This is of exemplary value. Liechtenstein remains committed to the elimination of anti-personnel landmines, and we therefore wholeheartedly support the results of the negotiations that were concluded recently at Oslo. We are particularly pleased that it was possible to agree on a final text which is simple, with no exceptions, no reservations and no loopholes. We are of the opinion that only such a treaty can bring us closer to the goal of the total elimination of anti-personnel landmines, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have made outstanding efforts in the course of the Ottawa process, 20 particularly the Governments of Canada, Austria, Belgium and Norway, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We also continue to be very concerned about the precarious overall financial situation of the Organization, which is obviously linked to the failure of some Member States to fulfil their obligations regarding the prompt and full payment of their assessed financial contributions. It is important to note that the best reform efforts will be seriously hampered unless the Organization’s finances are put in order. Since we last met in New York for the general debate at the fifty-first session of the General Assembly, major — indeed, crucial — efforts have been undertaken to eliminate anti-personnel landmines. This matter has become a truly global cause, promoted by individuals and non-governmental organizations worldwide and propelled by Governments, which have committed themselves to the Ottawa process to achieve a global ban on landmines.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We are confident that her appointment will give additional momentum to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide and that the consolidation of her Office with the Centre for Human Rights will provide her with a solid institutional basis from which to take on her principal responsibility for United Nations human rights activities. That will be possible, however, only if the underfunding of human rights programmes that we have witnessed for so long finally comes to an end. Human rights are the legitimate concern of the international community, and this should be reflected in the appropriation of sufficient funds from the regular budget.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“We particularly support the Secretary- General’s suggestion to fill that post with a qualified woman. We also welcome the proposal to replace the Department of Humanitarian Affairs with an Office of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, and we hope that this measure will bring about the necessary changes to ensure a more efficient coordination of United Nations activities in this very important field. The Secretary-General has also suggested integrating human rights into all the principal activities of the United Nations, and we are fully supportive of this approach because it reflects the comprehensive and cross-cutting nature of human rights. We are gratified to see Mrs. Mary Robinson in her new post as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. We wish her success in her challenging tasks and pledge to her our full support.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Secretary-General Kofi Annan has taken on the challenging task of reform with the necessary combination of energy and circumspection. I wish first of all to state that we welcome the report and will lend our full support to achieving its objectives. I hope that the reform process will lead to concrete results before the end of this year. We share the opinion of those countries that have stressed that reform must not be a cost-cutting exercise but a matter of strengthening the role of the Organization as an active and effective world forum. We welcome and support the Secretary-General’s proposal to establish the post of a Deputy Secretary-General who will have a particular role in ensuring the success of activities and programmes that cross functional sectors and Secretariat units.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“Globalization implies that Governments and societies can best meet such global challenges as democracy, the eradication of poverty, the promotion and protection of human rights, sustainable development, humanitarian emergencies and refugee problems if they take action together. International problems require international solutions, and the world community must work together to deal with them on the basis of international law, through a constructive dialogue of the international community as a whole. This leads me to our Organization, which is a unique — indeed, the only — forum for such cooperation, and to the deep and far-reaching reform proposals which the Secretary-General, after a first reform package submitted in March, presented in his report (A/51/950) of 14 July 1997.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“On behalf of the Liechtenstein Government, I should like to congratulate the President on his election to preside over the fifty-second session of the General Assembly. I wish also to express my thanks and recognition to the Permanent Representative of Malaysia, Ambassador Razali Ismail, for the dynamic way in which he conducted the work of the fifty-first session. Further, I should like to pay tribute to Mr. Kofi Annan, our new Secretary-General. In the first nine months of his tenure, and at a particularly decisive time for the United Nations, he has shown great leadership qualities. I wish to assure him of our full support and cooperation. We live in a world that is more interdependent than ever before.”
1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)
“I wish to reiterate our call for a total ban on these deadly weapons. We hope that, during this fifty-first session of the General Assembly, we will be able to strengthen the United Nations, which has been indispensable to the international community for more than 50 years, and to enhance its credibility in the eyes of the peoples whom our Organization represents.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We should not forget, however, that it has been only four years since humanitarian action provided by the United Nations system was given structure and coherence. Anti-personnel land-mines, with their immensely destructive effects on individuals and communities around the world, are a humanitarian tragedy. Innocent civilians, in particular women, children, refugees and displaced persons, are at greatest risk. Furthermore, mines impede the rehabilitation and reconstruction of societies torn by war. In keeping with its mandate to develop and promote international humanitarian law, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has continuously called attention to weapons whose effects threaten to undermine that law, and we commend the ICRC for its efforts in that respect.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)