YouSaid · the spoken record

Kalpage

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS KALPAGE

lines on the record: 41
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“For the first time after the Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco, 47 years ago, the peoples of the world through their representatives here assembled have it in their power to provide new directions for ensuring peace, security, prosperity and social justice in keeping with today's realities. The challenges are many; equally, the opportunities are great. We owe it to the millions who crave equity and justice and a better life in larger freedom that we shoulder our responsibilities with courage and perseverance. We cannot afford to falter or fail. We must succeed.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“"We in South Asia, have the ability to forge together a unity based on our ancient ties. Let us accept the challenge to build together a solidarity of mutual respect; one which will strengthen each individual nation in its independence. A solidarity which will weld our nations into a purposeful and dynamic unity. We will be then be able to face with confidence our common future". These sentiments are a beacon for regional cooperation in South Asia. In meeting the challenges that lie ahead it is abundantly clear that the United Nations offers the best hope for humankind. The strong and the weak, the rich and the poor, the industrialized and the developing are all represented here. It is only through our deliberations that the problems of our world come into global focus and solutions can be provided accordingly.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Conference resolved to set up several goals and a time frame for their achievement. The specific goals deal with education, child-welfare and children's rights. SAARC is also looking forward to promoting mutually beneficial cooperation with other regional and international organizations. This has been a year of heightened activity in the SAARC region. The countries of our region are determined to maintain this momentum. In this context I quote the words of our President, His Excellency Ranasinghe Premadasa: "A sense of innovation must animate SAARC cooperation. We cannot remain static. Fresh and imaginative approaches are needed. We have to face new challenges. New ways have to be found to deal with old problems that have lingered, defying solutions.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“A South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation, established this year, will enable fresh approaches to be taken on the basis of shared experiences in alleviating poverty in our populous region. Sri Lanka's own approach has been to provide opportunities and access to the poor to participate actively and productively as partners in national development, rather than being treated as passive recipients of charity. A South Asian Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA) seeks to promote trade and commerce among SAARC countries. Efforts to expand cultural exchanges and to enhance people-to-people contact at various levels are under way. Regional recognition has been granted to the SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industries. The Second SAARC Ministerial Conference on Children in South Asia was held in Colombo in September.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Convention on the Law of the Sea was signed 10 years ago. The Preparatory Commission continues to labour painstakingly to ensure that the resources of the seas and oceans a common heritage of mankind will be used for the benefit of all. We welcome the initiative of the Secretary-General to bring about universal participation in the Convention. In different parts of the world regional organizations are being strengthened. Sri Lanka hid the honour this year to be elected as Chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC). The dynamic leadership of His Excellency Ranasinghe Premadasa, President of Sri Lanka, has significantly moved forward cooperation among the seven States members of SAARC on a number of initiatives.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The United Nations must take a visionary perspective in shaping the future of a world already transformed into a global village by modern technology. Yet, developing countries are still in a disadvantaged position owing to the non-availability of the necessary technologies. Among these, space technology is useful in the monitoring of the changing global environment and can assist developing countries in maximizing the use of their resources. However, the high cost of space and other advanced technologies prevents developing countries from reaping their potential benefits. The United Nations and its specialized agencies must therefore work to ensure equitable access to these technologies so that the benefits can be shared by all. This will enable the development of a new regime of technological democracy.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“My delegation is pleased with the conclusions reached at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro. We endorse the principles enunciated in the Rio Declaration, the programmes in Agenda 21, the commitment to a shared partnership by the provision of adequate new and additional funding and the transfer of the necessary technologies to developing countries. Sri Lanka has signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. We expect that the creation of a commission for sustainable development will without delay move forward the process of ensuring the sustainable development to which all nations and peoples committed themselves in Rio de Janeiro.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We hope that States parties to this convention will promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemicals in accordance with its letter and spirit. Efforts to establish a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean continue. In view of the changing international situation, the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean was of the view that the General Assembly might wish to consider alternative approaches. The Tenth Non-Aligned Summit Meeting in Jakarta took cognizance of this view and reiterated the determination to continue efforts to achieve the goals of the Declaration as considered at the meeting of littoral and hinterland States held in 1979. We hope that the new spirit of cooperation evident elsewhere in the world will embrace the Indian Ocean region as well.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“States should not permit their territories or their citizens to be used for the perpetration of acts of destabilization against other States through support for, or tolerance of, arms smuggling drug trafficking and terrorism. Multilateral action to address these real threats faced by democratic societies should constitute an indispensable element of the peace agenda of the United Nations. Sri Lanka strongly supported multilateral negotiations aimed at a total prohibition of the entire chemical weapons cycle. The successful conclusion of the convention on chemical weapons demonstrates the competence of the United Nations in multilateral negotiations. Sri Lanka was among those countries which signified an early interest in becoming an original signatory to the convention.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is no longer possible to conceive of security essentially in military terms. The cold-war era, in which a highly militarized concept of security dominated East-West relations, is over. Today, socio-economic factors have become major determinants of global security. Multilateral disarmament and world peace and security are inextricably linked. This makes it necessary for the United Nations to play the central role in global disarmament. The United Nations should also be a catalyst in facilitating regional disarmament. The monitoring of the illegal arms trade and its elimination should be a priority on the multilateral agenda on disarmament and conflict prevention. The illegal arms trade and the highly destructive evils of drug trafficking and terrorism are interlinked and mutually supportive.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Sri Lanka's policy of openness and of cooperation with national and international bodies in the field of human rights is derived from democratic traditions and institutions that are an integral part of Sri Lanka's value system. Socio-economic aspects of human-rights problems have found their manifestations everywhere. This is evident from violent and undemocratic expressions of grievances in both developing and developed countries. We believe that a cooperative rather than a coercive approach would help international action to achieve the desired results in the field of human rights. Sri Lanka will participate constructively in the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 to develop such a positive approach to the promotion of human rights world-wide. International peace, security and development are indivisible.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In our commitment to promote and preserve the "dignity and worth of the human person" we believe that the best defence of human rights lies in democracy and openness in societies. For over half a century Sri Lanka has had a proud record of uninterrupted universal adult franchise and respect for the electoral verdict. My country is a party to the Covenants on human rights. In Sri Lanka, steps are being taken to establish a human-rights commission to strengthen the fulfilment of our constitutional obligations relating to fundamental rights. We have an enduring commitment to both national and international accountability.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“If the present financial crisis of the United Nations is to be resolved, these resources must be provided on time. This year has witnessed a reaffirmation, by the nations of the Bon-Aligned Movement, of the validity and relevance of non-alignment and of its basic approach in addressing international problems and development. The tenth Summit Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in Jakarta last month, emphasized the need to build a new and equitable international order based on political and economic democracy both within and between nations. The Jakarta Message conveys a clear consensus that the Non-Aligned Movement is not a captive of its nomenclature, which reflects the historical context in which the first Summit Conference took place.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“However, in our enthusiasm to reform the United Nations in the social and economic fields, we must maintain the principles of democracy, universality and respect for the sovereignty of States. We wish to commend the Secretary-General for his bold initiatives in streamlining the work of the Secretariat. We hope that continuing efforts to maximize efficiency in the Secretariat will not diminish, but will enhance, the capacity of the United Nations to respond to the pressing socio-economic needs of the developing world. We welcome the Secretary-General's efforts to reorganize the Secretariat and to utilize fully its human resources. These efforts should be matched by Member States' meeting their obligation under the Charter to make available the required financial resources.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The restructuring of the United Nations in its economic and social areas has already begun. There is a need for better coordination of global economic policies and for more effective policy-making and policy-implementation. Coordination and integration of operational activities of the specialized agencies and other bodies, functioning under the Economic and Social Council, and strengthening of the field presence of the United Nations have become vital. This will reduce duplication, inefficiency and a too-diffused focus of United Nations assistance. The ultimate aim of the reforms must be to enable the United Nations to be more effective in the promotion of development cooperation for social and economic progress.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Lasting solutions can be found only through enlightened development-cooperation policies pursued in tandem with strategies for preventive diplomacy. As the principal organ entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council now functions without the shackles that made it ineffective during the cold war. However, its present configuration continues to reflect the realities of the immediate-post-war power structure. The Security Council could be made more representative. It is important that its procedures be democratic and transparent. Its decisions should reflect consensus, arrived at after proper discussion, and respect for national sovereignty. There should be a better balance in the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The role of the United Nations in conflict prevention and conflict resolution should be pragmatic. It should contribute to the stability and long-term viability of the international system. The Secretary-General has reminded us that unlimited "fragmentation" of sovereign entities would make it more difficult to achieve peace, security and economic well-being for all. External intervention in any guise cannot be justified, except in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, particularly in cases where domestic solutions have not been entirely exhausted. To ensure the efficacy of our collective efforts towards fulfilling the "Agenda for Peace", it is imperative that the United Nations assume a decisive role in formulating and putting into effect an "agenda for development".”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The fundamental sovereignty and integrity of the State are crucial to any common progress we seek to achieve. Preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peace-keeping and post-conflict peace building must be pursued in a manner that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Member States. In keeping with the principles of universality and sovereign equality, the post-cold war peace process must encompass and involve all Member States. This is fundamental to the legal and moral authority of the United Nations. The General Assembly should continue to be the principal policy-making body of the Organization. We support all efforts to ensure more effective functioning of the General Assembly as a forum of multilateral diplomacy to achieve our common objectives.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We hope that the Middle East peace process will enable that troubled region to soon enjoy the peace for which its peoples yearn. We thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali for his comprehensive report on the work of the Organization in these and other areas of activity during the year. The Secretary-General's report on an "Agenda for Peace" is innovative and challenging. The proposals in his report must be considered with the care and seriousness they deserve given the instabilities that prevail and the uncertainties that lie ahead. The central focal-point for any action in this regard should be a revitalized and democratized United Nations. The Secretary-General himself has observed that "the foundation stone to this work is and must remain the State".”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The cold war is over. Momentous developments continue to dominate the international scene. The consequences of these developments for a peaceful world have yet to fully unfold. New independent States have emerged. The transition to a stable and equitable order is full of uncertainties and challenges. Several peace initiatives to resolve conflicts offer hope. Nevertheless, there is simmering discontent within and among nations. Unrest and turmoil prevail in parts of the world. The violence in the territories of former Yugoslavia continues unabated. The tragedy in Somalia appals and shames the human conscience. The peace processes that began in Afghanistan and Cambodia have encountered setbacks. In South Africa a non-racial and democratic Government is yet to be established. The question of Palestine still remains on our agenda.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The delegation of Sri Lanka congratulates Mr. Stoyan Ganev of Bulgaria on his election as President of the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly. We assure him of our full co-operation and support. We wish to record our deep appreciation of the determined manner in which his predecessor. His Excellency Samir S. Shihabi, conducted the affairs of the forty-sixth session and of the keen interest he took in moving forward the process of revitalization of the General Assembly. We welcome the new Member States and wish them every success in their legitimate national and international endeavours. It is my special honour to convey to the General Assembly the greetings of the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Ranasinghe Premadasa, and his sincere good wishes for the efforts of the United Nations to ensure a just and peaceful world.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Nations and peoples who wish for, and are committed to, the amelioration of planet Earth have no other alternative. It is in this spirit, renewed and refreshed by encouraging recent developments, that we must continue the work entrusted to us in this Assembly. The opportunity for achievement is within our reach. Let it not once again slip from our grasp.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We reiterate that a comprehensive solution to these problems is possible only with the restoration of the Inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the withdrawal of Israel from occupied Palestinian and Arab territories. Only this can ensure the security of all States in the Middle East within secure and internationally recognised borders. We stand on the threshold of an emerging international order. It is a matter for satisfaction and hope that all Member States are eager to participate in the endeavours of this Organisation recognising the central place of the United Nations in the international system. As it nears the end of its fifth decade, the United Nations has won universal recognition for its untiring efforts in the promotion of global peace and development. It remains the only organisation which embraces all humankind.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“With regard to the situation in Cyprus, Sri Lanka appeals to all parties concerned to engage in meaningful discussions in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. In this context, my delegation extends its fullest support and cooperation for an international conference under the guidance of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The United Nations should work towards the total eradication of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic society guaranteeing the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all the people of South Africa. We support all efforts to solve the problems associated with the violence and insecurity prevailing in the Middle Cast.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In many of these conflicts the efforts of the United Nations and the Secretary-General have helped to bring about favourable developments. We urge the continuation of such efforts. The preservation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence is essential to a peaceful solution of the Afghanistan problem. We are confident that the five-point peace plan proposed by the Secretary-General would help to end this conflict soon. We are glad that the conflict in Cambodia has almost come to an end. Sri Lanka welcomes the recent peace agreement reached under the United Nations peace accord by the Phnom Penh Government and the three Cambodian guerrilla factions.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The Charter of the United Nations provides specifically for regional arrangements for dealing with such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action. Together with six other South Asian nations, Sri Lanka has the honour to belong to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which is making remarkable progress on several programmes of common interest. These are intended not only to enhance the living standards of the people of our region but also to contribute to world peace and progress. Sri Lanka has the honour and the distinction of hosting the sixth Summit Conference of SAARC in November of this year. We welcome the trends towards the solution of a number of conflicts in different parts of the world in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We would welcome the participation of the permanent members of the Security Council and the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean in the proposed conference. Their cooperation would result in useful discussions to achieve the objectives of the Declaration. The dramatic changes in international relations resulting from the ending of the cold war must necessarily extend to all regions of the world. If the rivalry between the great Powers has indeed ended, it must follow that the favourable developments in the international political scene enhancing peace, security and cooperation should have a positive impact on the Indian Ocean region as well.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In 1979 the Conference of Littoral and Hinterland States, held in New York, adopted seven principles of agreement for the implementation of the Declaration. In 1980 the General Assembly requested the Ad Hoc Committee to engage in preparatory work for a conference on the Indian Ocean to be held in 1981. For a number of reasons the preparatory work of the Ad Hoc Committee could not be completed and the holding of the conference was delayed. Acting on the renewed mandate of the General Assembly in resolution 45/77 of 12 December 1990, the Ad Hoc Committee held two sessions in April and July of this year. The Committee has completed the preparatory work to enable the convening of a Conference on the Indian Ocean in Colombo in 1992 in consultation with the host country, Sri Lanka.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“He are of the view that the recent conclusions reached and recommendations formulated by the United Nations group of experts on arms transfers would serve as a basis for further action in this field. The illicit trade in conventional arms is a cause for much concern. Such trade has provided arms to terrorists, drug traffickers, and other anti-social groups resulting in instability, suffering and destruction at the national, regional and international levels. It was store than two decades ago, on the initiative of the 1970 non-aligned summit Conference in Lusaka, that Sri Lanka and Tanzania jointly presented a resolution to the United Nations on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace. A Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly in 1971. An Ad Hoc Committee to implement this Declaration was appointed by the General Assembly in 1973.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Sri Lanka hopes that, with the acceptance of an intensified work programme in the Geneva Conference on Disarmament, new substantive proposals which might form the basis of a consensus will be forthcoming to enable the adoption of the convention on chemical weapons by 1992. It is essential that the convention should retain its multilateral character in its implementation, and that it be non-discriminatory and supportive of international cooperation in economic and technological development for purposes not prohibited by the convention. In this light, Sri Lanka is actively considering becoming an original signatory to such a convention. Sri Lanka welcomes in principle the initiative for the establishment of a register of international conventional arms transfers under the auspices of the United Nations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Global poverty, which is a common threat to the stability of national and international structures, is one of the major sources of environmental degradation. The persistence of appalling economic disparities between nations and within nations has no place in a new vision of the future world. Our one world cannot long endure part privileged, part deprived. For over 40 years the world has been haunted by the spectre of a global nuclear war. However, the recent dramatic improvement in East-West relations is a markedly encouraging development in the quest for general and complete disarmament. We welcome the achievement of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter Range Missiles (INF Treaty) and the START Treaty and we look forward to further progress in the reduction and eventual elimination of all nuclear weapons.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It was on a proposal by President Premadasa that the United Nations observed the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless in 1987. Housing for all by the year 2000 is a goal that Sri Lanka is determined to achieve. The ongoing international debate on environmental concerns and sustainable development has once again brought to the more the imperative of multilateralism and interdependence. In this context, the central role of the United Nations in the Conference on Environment and Development is necessary and appropriate. I do believe therefore that it is important that the General Assembly convey its views, clearly defined, to the relevant preparatory bodies so that viable and realistic proposals may be submitted to Rio de Janeiro.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We are striving for self-sustaining development aimed at improving living conditions while preserving cultural values derived from the religions and philosophies long cherished by our people. In harmony with this concept of development, we have in Sri Lanka, under the leadership of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, a unique poverty alleviation programme, known locally as "Janasaviya" - which means "the people's strength". "Janaaavlya" is a development process based on human values. The family and the home are at the core of the efforts to implement this anti-poverty programme. As my President himself stated on the occasion of his inauguration on 2 January 1989: "If we cannot help those who are deprived, we certainly cannot protect those who are privileged." Sri Lanka's urban and rural housing programmes have been ballad internationally.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We make no attempt to conceal our problems; nor do we condone any violation of human rights. Sri Lanka is firmly committed to the observance of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Sights. We are a party to human rights Conventions. Sri Lanka reports to the United Nations bodies on human rights. Sri Lanka fulfils its obligations. As to the process of development, the alleviation of poverty is a high priority on the agenda of development of the Government of Sri Lanka. It is pertinent to bear in mind that development cannot ignore cultural legacies rooted in history and firm traditional backgrounds. The harmonization of these cultural differences in welding together a national identity is important.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In the spheres of health care and education, we continue to provide services which have resulted in a reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates, an increased life expectancy and a further improvement in literacy. For some years now Sri Lanka has suffered the trauma of civil strife. The Government of Sri Lanka has repeatedly affirmed its readiness for negotiations to resolve any grievances. Some of these grievances have already been solved. Others can, and must, be settled through negotiation. Whatever differences may exist among Sri Lankans, these differences can only be resolved by and among Sri Lankans through consultation, compromise and consensus. Sri Lanka has a terrorist problem. The problem of terrorism is by no means peculiar to Sri Lanka. Attention has been focused by some on the human rights situation in our country.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Adherence by all Member States to the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect and equality, peaceful settlement of disputes and peaceful coexistence is fundamental. For a small country like Sri Lanka, what refuge is there other than the Charter of the United Nations? Sri Lanka, in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations, is determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. Despite a hostile external economic environment and a terrorist problem, we continue to maintain a relatively high index of development. Our economy is growing at over 6 per cent, inflation is being reduced, prices are stabilising, investments are increasing and so is production. We recognise the importance to development of the private sector.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“If the United Nations is now ready to move into a new era, much of the credit for sustaining it in the past decade would surely go to Secretary-General Javier Peres de Cuellar. The need for recourse to the United Nations on a number of occasions to seek solutions to problems of concern to the world community has resulted in renewed interest among Member States in the structures and procedures of the Organisation. There has been wide-ranging discussion on how the United Nations could be restructured and revitalised so as to make it more efficient in its functioning and more effective in the implementation of measures to secure peace and promote development. The security and the development of a email country like Sri Lanka depends largely on the United Nations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In 1945 its membership stood at 51. Today, 46 years later, it has risen to 166. In the intervening period, another world war has been averted. This is due, in no small measure, to the existence and the efforts of the United Nations and to the unremitting toil of all those who have laboured unceasingly to promote international peace and fellowship. The United Nations is fortunate to have been served by a succession of distinguished Secretaries-General. Secretary-General Javier Peres de Cuellar, during his 10 years in office, has shown courage and fortitude and a deep sense of commitment to the cause of peace and international understanding. His patient and quiet diplomacy has earned for him gratitude and appreciation worldwide.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Seven new Member States, four from Asia and the Pacific region, have been admitted to the United Nations this year. We welcome accession of both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to full membership in the Organisation. May their membership in the United Nations result be in the fulfilment of the aspirations of their peoples. We are glad that two Island States of the Pacific - the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia - have been admitted as Member States. We congratulate them and wish them wall. We are happy to welcome back to the community of nations the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania. This world Organisation, founded in the aftermath of a world war, has more than trebled its membership since its inception.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Relationships between nations are changing with breathtaking rapidity) old relationships are fading away, new relationships are emerging. Our President's friendly disposition, his diplomatic skills, his vast experience in the work of the United Nations are widely recognised. These qualities will no doubt stand us in good stead in our deliberations at this particularly important session. To your predecessor, the Foreign Minister of Malta, Professor Guido de Marco, we express our appreciation for the manner in which he conducted the proceedings of the Assembly's forty-fifth session. We are aware of his determined efforts towards the rationalisation and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. We convey to him our best wishes for the years ahead.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“I have the honour to convey to you, Sir, and to the other members of the Assembly, the greetings and good wishes of Sri Lanka's President, Mr. Ranasinghe Premadasa. My President expresses the hope that the deliberations and decisions of the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session will prove beneficial for the welfare of the peoples of the world. On behalf of the delegation of Sri Lanka, let me congratulate Ambassador Sanir Shihabi on his election as President of the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session. Me are meeting at a historic period in world affairs. Dramatic changes are occurring in many parts of the world. One year ago it would have been impossible to foresee, still less to forecast, what has taken place in the past several weeks.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)