YouSaid · the spoken record

Lydie Polfer

lines on the record: 60
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2002-09-24
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 the unique forum which allows for exchanges and allows us to chart the path for totally new solutions. And I am gratified to see that during this session there are two new Members here in 2002, namely Switzerland and Timor-Leste. We congratulate them on having taken this decision and we extend a warm welcome to them to our Assembly.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“After some 160 years of existence as an independent State, Luxembourg is fully aware of the limits inherent in its size and the means available to it. In foreign policy we are acting with the firm conviction that the multilateral system of cooperation is one which provides a place and a role for everyone. In an interdependent world, we all must shoulder our responsibilities and make our contribution. And that is the basis of our commitment to the universal Organization, as it is the basis of our action to support development in the world. This is why we wish to raise our official development assistance to 1 per cent of GNP, after having been, in 2001, in the position to go beyond the threshold of 0.7 per cent recommended by the United Nations. Our Organization brings together the international community.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“And this must be prepared with the new external partner and also with those reluctant domestic forces, which must be reintegrated into the peace process. Developments in Sri Lanka, moreover, demonstrate that hope can win the day over violence. In the case of Timor-Leste, it is also thanks to the United Nations that this hope has been fulfilled. And in Africa, several hotbeds of tension have been eased in 2002, in Angola, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Burundi in particular. The effort made by the international community in Afghanistan must, as we know, be continued over time to insure the establishment and functioning of a stable democratic and fully representative State. The process of normalization under way in the Balkans deserves similar attention.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Faced with violence and hate, non-intervention and keeping one's distance are not real options. Efforts are continuing, aimed at creating conditions for new negotiations that might make it possible to conclude the work that has been languishing since Taba. The European Union is actively participating in this process and is making efforts, through new initiatives of the Danish presidency, to once again put the political context at the heart of our concerns. The tireless efforts of the international community are required to emphasize the need for moderation. Moderates, on whatever side, have no easy task when faced with extremism. But we support them. Peace requires all of us, in fact, to be internally split, as noted by Mr. Shlomo Ben Ami, but, I would add, it will also include reconciliation.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“However, antagonisms have not disappeared and may even cloak themselves in new forms. We need to remain vigilant. One year ago, the international community was deeply shaken by the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 against the civilian populations of New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. A few days ago we visited Ground Zero as a sign of our grief and to reaffirm our determination to act against barbarity. While we can indeed note that the efforts made since that tragic day to combat international terrorism have achieved some specific results, this should not, however, prompt us to let down our guard. Other tragedies are still open wounds, such as the particularly obvious case of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Middle East, since Oslo, has seen extraordinary efforts at mediation.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“For its part, our universal Organization, through the Security Council and other bodies of the United Nations system, is dedicated to defining an outline of possible international action for prevention to make it more systematic and effective. The pivotal role of the United Nations and its authority are essential to achieve this end. It will be up to the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly to deal with this question as well. Increasingly, the need to focus attention on the destinies and tragedies experienced by victims and 6 react to the fact that conflicts today deliberately and increasingly claim victims among the civilian population can be given priority status, because international relations today are no longer hampered by the ideological battles of yesterday.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“A heightened awareness of our responsibility to provide for the protection of civilian populations is in fact necessary to allow for preventive action and, in particular, for maintaining peace. As has been rightly noted by the Secretary- General, such preventive action should be done by strengthening the capacity of operational and structural prevention on all levels: local as well as national, regional and international, bilateral and multilateral. Increased interaction between all these levels is required so as to replace a culture of reaction by a genuine culture of prevention. The importance of investing in conflict prevention strategies, which may only yield fruit much later, is not always obvious. Such a choice requires a strong will of commitment by all of its players.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“To be sure, the work of those dedicated persons who inspire these programmes — including quite a few non-governmental organizations — will not come to an end any more than the labours of Sisyphus. But, are we not all aware of the progress which has been made possible in the daily life of individuals, groups and peoples, progress made through institutions which have been carefully conceived, democratically established, well managed, which in addition benefit from the moral authority provided them by the United Nations? Bearing in mind the destiny of the individuals who are threatened here, international officials must be provided with the means to detect at an early stage any possible violation of peace and international security.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Luxembourg would like to reaffirm its dedication to the significant work carried out by the United Nations funds and agencies in these areas. In particular I would like to mention the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). International action for reproductive health is at the crux of their programmes and today it remains indispensable. It requires firm support and the necessary budgetary resources. This is why Luxembourg firmly supports the efforts of UNFPA. Reducing funding for women in difficulty is totally unjust and considerably increases the suffering of these individuals.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“She deserves our gratitude for her courage and her contribution to this vital cause. Her successor, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, can also count on our full cooperation and support. The special session of the General Assembly on the rights of children in May 2002 allowed us, once again, to condemn that indifference which kills and causes great suffering to millions of disadvantaged and defenceless individuals. While the Convention on the Rights of the Child has made it possible to specifically improve the lives of countless individuals, work must be stepped up and expanded in order to guarantee that there will be a real difference for generations to come. We view action in favour of women, which falls under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in the same context.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“It might thus be useful to establish links here with the important centres of the Council of Europe, namely the European Court of Human Rights — a unique mechanism for the protection of human rights; the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance; and, finally, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture. It is indeed my hope that the important work on norms and standards carried out by the Committee at the European level will one day be implemented at the international level, and that the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture — a Protocol that the Assembly will soon be called on to endorse — will enjoy the same success as its European predecessor. The establishment of the rule of law for all of us is an objective for which the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Mary Robinson worked tirelessly.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The events of 11 September provided a new impetus, as we all are well aware, to cooperation between institutional partners and, above all, emphasized the need to pursue dialogue between cultures and religions and to step up the process of reflection on civilizations in order to promote tolerance 5 and universal respect for human rights when we are faced with barbarism. Like the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Council of Europe is committed to that policy. Coordination and complementarity between regional and international organizations are, moreover, among those priorities that Luxembourg has set for its chairmanship.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Like this universal Organization, the Council of Europe, whose chairmanship Luxembourg has held since May — its tenure is for a six-month period — has taken a series of specific measures in the international campaign against terrorism. In addition to advancing the process of the signing and ratification of international instruments, the Council has devised guidelines for an international campaign that includes full respect for human rights. Indeed, when security is threatened, respect for human rights becomes all the more important. As statesmen, it is our obligation to prevent anti-terrorist legislation from infringing on, or even destroying, democracy in its attempt to champion the fundamental values of freedom and to safeguard human rights.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Poverty, pollution, overexploitation and, unfortunately, violence, too, will continue for a long time to fuel pessimism. However, we are encouraged to note that democracy and good governance are concepts and practices that are moving forward and that are increasingly broadly accepted. In this context, I should like to pay tribute to the young African Union, which specifically included among its objectives the advancement of the principles of democracy and its corollary, the protection of human rights. Human rights, democracy, development and security are closely linked. The Council of Europe, whose principal mission is the championing of human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law, has, like the United Nations, had to face an tremendous challenge following the events of 11 September.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Summit charted a course through the Plan of Implementation, which sets out objectives and timetables. Some may feel that they are not ambitious enough, but they certainly can guide us. We need to implement this plan, and here new partnerships between the United Nations, Governments, companies and civil society are an important tool. Governments, however, still must shoulder all of their responsibilities. In Doha, the World Trade Organization decided to link the opening of markets and technical assistance to development. In Monterrey, a global consensus emerged regarding financing for development. In the wake of Johannesburg, there is a need now to create synergetic relationships between public assistance, support from companies, local resources and the commitment of non-governmental organizations.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Indeed, it represents a guarantee in terms of the desire for protection, which is so deeply rooted in each of us. The broadest possible ratification of the Statute of the Court must remain a high-priority objective of the international community. The European Union is actively working to that end to ensure that the Court is genuinely universal in nature. In the same multilateral context, the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development has just concluded with the observation that our planet's natural reserves and resources are limited and that only solidarity can reconcile the legitimacy of development and the preservation of an environment that respects life. It is humankind's responsibility to achieve a balance in these two cases.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Regarding Iraq, we believe that the international community must continue to work through the United Nations, which is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Iraq must provide unconditional and unimpeded access to the inspectors as well as the necessary cooperation. It must fulfil its obligations immediately. We are determined to support the efforts of the United Nations to achieve that goal. International law was strengthened considerably with the entry into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on 1 July last. This represents a major step forward in the process of the promotion of the rule of law and in the fight against impunity. This young institution must receive our full support.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Thanks to his extensive experience and his understanding of international issues, a calm and fraternal message of cooperation and concerted action resulted from our debates. We all are deeply grateful to him for that. 4 Our Organization also has the advantage of having a Secretary-General whose humanism and outstanding diplomatic skills are universally acknowledged. He has begun his second term with his characteristic dynamism, which we all admire. We wholeheartedly support the Secretary-General in the discharge of his important mission. There is no doubt that multilateralism and the support of the United Nations system for it have their own particular dynamic. We are counting on him to guide the Organization in accordance with the guidelines set out in the important statement he made last Thursday.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The current Chairman of the European Union, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has already had an opportunity to state to the Assembly the priorities and positions of the European Union. Luxembourg, through its commitment on a day-to-day basis, reaffirms its dedication to multilateral cooperation and to the work of this universal Organization. President Kavan, you assumed your important post through a new procedure designed to revitalize the work of the General Assembly and intensify its impact. I am sure that under your guidance we will achieve other significant successes. Mr. Han Seung-soo guided the work of the previous session during a period when the international situation was difficult and beset by serious problems.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“I conclude by citing two facts that illustrate the awareness of my country's Government of the responsibilities its shares with all here in preparing for the future of coming generations. First, official development assistance from Luxembourg has reached 0.71 per cent of our gross national product; the Government has decided to raise it to 1 per cent by 2005. I have also submitted to my country's Chamber of Deputies Luxembourg's first nomination to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Tribunals in The Hague and Arusha have stepped up their work, and, for the first time, a former head of State is awaiting his trial in prison. We welcome these developments, as well as those who have joined us in the group of countries that have ratified the Rome Statute of the future International Criminal Court. The citizens of Luxembourg would be pleased to see that convention enter into force as soon as possible and acceded to by a broad majority of States. 19 In September 2000, heads of State and Government met here in New York. Since then, the Millennium Declaration has underpinned the actions of the United Nations and of States at the national level. Together with its European partners, Luxembourg has affirmed its dedication to the commitments entered into there.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“My country welcomes the efforts under way within the United Nations to put an end to impunity and to ensure that those responsible for committing crimes against humanity and other atrocities answer for their actions within an international criminal jurisdiction. A special tribunal to judge crimes committed during the course of the civil war is in the process of being established in Sierra Leone, and Luxembourg has made a financial contribution to its establishment. In Cambodia, a law to establish a tribunal to consider the atrocities and genocide perpetrated under the dictatorship of the Khmer Rouge is now in force, and we must assess its compatibility with the memorandum proposed by the United Nations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Since the fall of 2000, we have been coordinating, on an informal basis, the donor countries in New York, and our delegation takes pleasure in noting the dedication of the competent officials and authorities who head these services. I would like to assure the Assembly that my country is clearly aware of the need to protect, and ensure the safety of, personnel. Humanitarian action, prevention, ceasefire agreements and peace-building activities hardly constitute the entire agenda of the international community. A functioning democracy is a major asset in progress towards development, as I have already emphasized. I need only reaffirm the importance of national efforts to combat corruption and foster the establishment, within our societies, of the rule of law based on an equitable and properly functioning legal system.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The increasingly integrated approach that has been chosen, as illustrated by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, is designed to ensure a logical succession between the phases of prevention, peacekeeping and, finally, consolidation, reconstruction and development. One of the most urgent tasks of our Organization is to provide immediate assistance for civilian populations that are the victims of natural disasters or crises brought about by human intervention. Luxembourg attaches particular importance to such needs, and we are endeavouring to support United Nations offices in this physically and morally demanding task.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Attempts to restructure peacekeeping operations have been promoted through careful consideration in the Secretariat, the Security Council and the General Assembly, based upon an outstanding follow-up report. The complexity of crisis situations often, of course, demands a prudent response, even when real progress has been made, as is the case in Sierra Leone. It is even more important to document international determination through clear mandates that allow for a strong response. We believe that the inclusion of troop- contributing countries in the decision-making process is essential.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“If this year the United Nations has not been on the front line in the Balkans, it has been working hard in the area of peacekeeping. I would like to make two comments about these operations. First, we note that there has been a considerable improvement in the quality of their management, following the conclusions of the Brahimi report. Secondly, there has been an international commitment to deal with hotbeds of tension as diverse and complex as those of Kosovo, East Timor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone. The balance sheet is relatively encouraging. Kosovo will soon be holding elections that will have important consequences for the future of the province. The United Nations operation in East Timor can, perhaps, be viewed as a clear success for international action.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In 2001, four reports of the Secretary-General dealing with peacekeeping, humanitarian action, the prevention of conflict and the follow-up to the Millennium Summit have shown 18 the way forward. They show that it is necessary for the international community to be steadfast in its commitment to the prevention and management of conflict. Any hesitation or fleeting expression of disinterest might risk encouraging elements that may want to aggressively defend their own interests without regard for the consequences at the national or international level. Europe has witnessed such dramatic chains of events, particularly in the Balkans, and we can only feel a sense of humility when considering their disastrous effects.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“That is why, together with our colleagues from the European Union, we are stepping up our efforts to convince the parties that only the cessation of violence and the recognition of two States will make it possible for negotiations to resume that can lead to a just and lasting peace in the region, on the basis of the establishment of a Palestinian State and the right of Israel to live in peace and security. The European Union stands ready to provide a framework for this process, in cooperation with the United States of America and the Arab States of the region, and to assist the parties with a view to facilitating the reconciliation that is necessary. In the meantime, the United Nations will tirelessly pursue its efforts to achieve international peace and stability.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Although there are no grounds for making a direct connection between the events of 11 September and the situation in the Middle East, the situation there is becoming increasingly worrying. We note that, unfortunately, the fabric that was woven during 10 years of mediation efforts and that was almost completed at Taba is now unravelling before our eyes. During my recent visit to the region, I noted the extent to which the peace process, which has been deadlocked for far too long, is suffering from the absence of any real prospects and from increasing distrust among the parties.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“As soon as its objective has been achieved, the international community, through the concerted efforts of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations, should set up an ambitious programme that is both political and humanitarian, with a view to helping to reconstruct Afghanistan and to ensure its integration within a stabilized region. Such an effort will require intensified political dialogue with all of the countries of the region. At this time, the provision of assistance to the civilian population in Afghanistan and to the refugees across its borders is a matter of priority. My country has already raised almost 7 million euros for that purpose as part of a comprehensive effort within the European Union amounting to more than 320 million euros.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our response must be commensurate with the threat, while respecting the fundamental freedoms of the citizen a principle that underlies our civilization. With regard to the situation in Afghanistan, we must work under the auspices of the United Nations with a view to promoting the emergence of a stable and legitimate Government that is representative of the Afghan population as a whole. Such a Government must respect the human rights of the Afghan people and develop good-neighbourly relations with all the countries of the region. In that context, I should like to welcome in particular the activities of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Mr. Brahimi.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Having expressed its compassion for the innocent victims of those cowardly attacks, the international community must now react with determination to ensure that the perpetrators receive the punishment they deserve and to defend itself in such a way as to prevent such acts in the future. I should like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our solidarity with the United States of America in its exercise of its legitimate right to self-defence. Two days ago, the current President of the European Union, Mr. Louis Michel, gave a detailed description of the measures and initiatives taken by the 15 member States to combat the scourge of terrorism. Luxembourg is participating unreservedly in this joint effort. Only through coordinated and interdisciplinary work will we be able to fight all forms of terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The perpetrators of the repugnant attack of 11 September wish to deny by their act the very values that form the basis of the international community, which we have endeavoured to build for the past 50 years through the United Nations and its multilateral system. The subsequent discussion in public opinion has shown that our societies do not yet know each other well enough. Ignorance leads to distrust and even hostility, promoting a chilling self-absorption. Dialogue among civilizations, as promoted and practised by our Organization, must now more than ever be at the forefront of our considerations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The indescribable crime that was committed on 11 September 2001 against the United States of America and its citizens, male and female, represents a breakdown in international relations. It was not only America that was targeted by this infamous attack against the World Trade Center towers it was our lifestyle in an open, democratic, tolerant and multicultural society to which the broad majority of countries and peoples represented here aspire. That is unbearable to terrorists. 17 Civilian airplanes have become guided missiles through blind and murderous terrorism, and as a result we all feel attacked. We can't call this a confrontation here between civilizations, combat between North and South, between religions.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our Secretary-General tirelessly continues his work to promote international peace and security. Member States wish to thank him for the imagination and wisdom shown as he discharges his lofty responsibility, and they have renewed his term of office. International public opinion has expressed its gratitude for his exceptional commitment by giving him, together with the United Nations, the Nobel Peace Prize. We would like to associate ourselves with that tribute. We congratulate him and wish him the best in his difficult work at the head of the Organization. In the course of this first session of the twenty- first century, the General Assembly has begun its work under the sign of terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“First, I should like to express our very sincere condolences and sense of compassion to the families of the victims of the tragic accident that occurred this morning, as well as to the authorities of the City and State of New York, which have been so seriously affected by the terrorist attacks on 11 September. I should, however, like to congratulate our President, Mr. Han Seung-soo. I am convinced that with the cooperation of Member States, he will be able to conduct this Assembly in a way to ensure that it responds ambitiously and effectively to the challenges before it. President Holkeri conducted the Millennium Assembly deftly, wisely exercising his presidential authority and evincing a soothing sense of humour. We would like to thank him for that.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We must give him effective tools to forestall catastrophes, whether caused by the elements or by the hand of man, and to coordinate our work to minimize the consequences of tragedies we are unable to avert. In declaring its determination to tackle humanitarian challenges in a spirit of prevention rather than of reaction, the Organization has set itself an ambitious goal. It is up to us to prove our will and our capacity to work effectively to reach that goal.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the Middle East, after years of deadlock, Israelis and Palestinians have resumed negotiations with the participation of other parties to the peace process, with the declared intention of concluding them by the autumn of 2000, which would coincide with the Millennium Assembly. Could anyone imagine a finer symbol of concerted international action to restore peace and security than lasting reconciliation in a land that is the cradle of so many religions and so many civilizations? The Millennium Summit will give us the chance to take stock of what has been accomplished and of what the complex decade of the 1990s has brought us, as well as to chart the course for future action. The Secretary- General has outlined this in his report on the work of the Organization.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Their desire for independence was freely and clearly expressed under United Nations auspices. Despite the Indonesian authorities having committed themselves to guaranteeing order and security before and after the popular consultation, grave violations occurred in East Timor, followed by massacres and the large-scale deportation of civilians. We welcome the dispatch of a multinational force under United Nations authority to put a rapid end to the violence and the atrocities, and to repatriate people in decent conditions. We support the efforts of the Secretary-General and of the United Nations Mission in East Timor to continue the process leading to the independence of East Timor. We must quickly improve the island's humanitarian situation, which continues to deteriorate, inflicting suffering on the population concerned.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“It is encouraging to note that this progress has been achieved thanks to the active participation of the countries of the region. We cannot allow the fate of Africa to slip out of the field of action of the international community. We must control the diverse situations relating to politics, development and the democratization of society to enable the continent to recover its proper place in the comity of nations. That can be achieved only through sustained, concerted medium-term and long-term action by the international community and by the United Nations system. My country will participate fully in these efforts. In East Timor it seemed that, after 25 years of injustice and oppression, there was a process that would give the Timorese people an opportunity peacefully to take charge of their future.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The international community's commitment to build multi-ethnic, multicultural, democratic societies in the Balkans holds out to the Serbian leadership and the Serbian population the prospect of a peaceful, secure and prosperous future in the community of Europe. It is up to them to seize this opportunity. The Secretary-General has said that United Nations action cannot stop until stability, security and peace return to the entire African continent. That goal is far from having been achieved, with serious conflicts taking place in central Africa and in Angola. But there are glimmers of light in Sierra Leone, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Horn of Africa. The crises there, while not yet resolved, are at least on the path of negotiation.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the face of the 15 horror of ethnic cleansing, a number of countries were obliged to shoulder their responsibilities. The tragic deterioration of the situation on the ground and the lack of realism at the negotiating table made military action inevitable. My country demonstrated its active solidarity during that tragedy, because a passive response to such crimes is no more acceptable in the international arena than it is at home. Today, pacification is under way in Kosovo, but minorities must be protected, respect for the law must be guaranteed, and democratic institutions must be set up. The Organization, in collaboration with other institutions, has taken these tasks in hand.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Since last autumn, Security Council action has been hamstrung by the reemergence of schisms harking back to a bygone age. Now as then, the result is an inability to act, so the matter of Iraq has been bogged down. For more than a year, Council members have been unable to work together and formulate a viable monitoring system that would guarantee that the Iraqi regime no longer possesses weapons of mass destruction. This dispute benefits only those who continue to flout international law. The credibility of the United Nations can hardly gain from this prevarication. The recent political and humanitarian crisis in Kosovo has shown that the community of nations no longer has either sufficient determination or sufficient means to prevent tragedies of that scale.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We must investigate new ways to live together in society that will respect the character of each individual. We must find ways to improve the functioning of democracy so that it will be better able to accommodate internal diversity. This Organization, especially the organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, has not been given sufficient means to adapt to new situations. The structures of the Security Council are inadequate after several decades during which it has been impossible to carry out a thorough review. Although discussions on Council reform have been under way for more than five years, there is a prevailing feeling of powerlessness. It seems unlikely that any new movement can result from the repeated clash of known positions.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“It is undeniable that in this field our Organization has found an innovative and useful role to play. It is indeed paradoxical that a decade that was originally marked by a desire for openness has ended with a disturbing new outbreak of bloody conflicts and practices that we thought had become things of the past. How can we overlook the growing number of humanitarian tragedies and fail to see the increasing expressions of nationalism, intolerance and refusal to accept those who are different? They highlight the historical or newly erected barriers which have made impractical any dialogue between majorities and minorities. In these circumstances, there is a new requirement. As the Secretary-General has said, strict adherence to the traditional concept of State sovereignty is no longer sufficient to meet present-day realities.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Those who represent civil society, the non- governmental organizations, are essential partners of our Governments in the implementation of the programmes and action plans developed and adopted during the major conferences. It is those people who work in the field in direct contact with women, men and children who are at the very centre or our efforts. We therefore attach great importance to their close association with the follow-up process for the conferences and the preparations for future activities. Other meetings are in preparation, notably those on the subjects of racism and development financing. Each of these initiatives is part of our effort to promote a fairer and more equitable society, both internationally and within our own national societies. The United Nations serves as a catalyst in this process.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Through the experience that we have gained over one and a half centuries of independence, Luxembourg is convinced that the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, the functioning of the rule of law and the transparent and ordered management of public affairs are the essential elements that help to promote development. The major conferences that have taken place during the past decade on the subjects of human rights, social development, population, the advancement of women and human settlements have opened a new era of constructive dialogue and shared responsibility, which has made a major contribution to defining and redefining the action of the United Nations in the field of development. We must ensure that henceforth there will be coordinated, integrated and effective follow-up to the steps that have been taken.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“During the negotiations in the Millennium Round in the World Trade Organization we must take account of that context and pay particular attention to the interests of the developing countries. We also support all the efforts designed to alleviate the debt problem, particularly in the case of the least developed countries. The vast majority of the people of Luxembourg uphold a model of society that strikes a fair balance between free enterprise and social justice. This model of a social market economy ensures development and social cohesion, even if it may require periodic adjustment. This should prove an inspiration at the regional and international levels.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The fight against poverty, which the United Nations has declared to be a priority objective, cannot be conducted only in the economic sphere. It should be part of an overall plan that also deals with related factors such as the lack of family care facilities, shortcomings in education and health and insufficient administrative structures. A reallocation of resources is also required as part of this effort. In that spirit, Luxembourg is now in the process of meeting the targets of our Organization. Starting in the year 2000, it will be devoting 0.7 per cent 14 of its gross national product to official development assistance. The Government of Luxembourg has decided to increase that contribution to 1 per cent of its gross national product over the next five years. Education and health will be priority areas for our cooperation.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The political and social effects of these developments are no less worrying: increased impoverishment, new forms of crime and violence, increased migration, the destabilization of States and the growing number of conflicts. Faced with these issues, the States Members of this Organization have a major responsibility to assume. The proposals contained in the report therefore deserve constructive examination, and my delegation is ready to take part in it. Ensuring that there is a social and ethical dimension to globalization, agreeing on new rules for good world governance and protecting the environment are some of the major issues to be agreed on in forthcoming discussions. That is why we intend to deepen our commitment in areas related to human development.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)