YouSaid · the spoken record

Guntis Ulmanis

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS GUNTIS ULMANIS

lines on the record: 69
first: 1993-09-24
most recent: 1998-09-24
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

“The people of Latvia have endured the horrors of Soviet and Nazi occupations and therefore have the right to appeal to world society to do everything in its ability to avert the future appearance of similar scourges. We live in an era when the human mind has created much that is useful for promoting mutual respect and understanding in our everyday lives. I hope that the results of the fifty-third session of the General Assembly will be a lasting investment in shaping the United Nations for the next millennium.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We, the leaders of the United Nations Member States, must realize clearly that the highest mission of the United Nations is service to humankind. The United Nations should become a universal Organization. It will 2 retain credibility in the eyes of the world only if the results of its efforts are clearly evident. A prerequisite for this credibility is the ability to condemn and deter those who have violated internationally accepted norms of behaviour. The United Nations has shown the ability to do this on many occasions. I believe the time has come for world society to evaluate one of the most inhumane regimes of this century â€” Soviet totalitarianism. I take this opportunity to call upon victimized peoples to commence a joint effort to evaluate its legacy.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“International terrorism and crime are growing, access to weapons of mass destruction is growing, ethnic conflicts exist, and threats to the ecology of our planet are mounting. In order to solve these problems, the enhanced participation of the United Nations, including the Security Council, is essential. To fulfil its role effectively, the Security Council must reflect the real balance of the worldâs economic and social power and use skilfully the resources available to it. Latvia reiterates its continued support for an expansion of the Council that would result in the equitable representation of small States and all regional groups. As I speak from this rostrum, I appreciate the rare opportunity to address the shapers of world political opinion.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In support of the reform package proposed by the Secretary-General, the Government of Latvia will establish â€œUnited Nations Houseâ€. By the end of the year a building in Riga will be the home of five institutions of the United Nations system. It is significant that during the golden anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration, the United Nations diplomatic conference in Rome adopted a decision to establish an international criminal court. Latvia supports the establishment of an effective court and hopes that an overwhelming majority of United Nations Member States will do likewise. The best protection for human rights is a world in which peace and security prevail. The bipolar order, with its characteristic threats to peace and security, is gone. However, the world is still unsafe.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“As a first-time member of the Commission on Human Rights beginning next year, Latvia will support the promotion of human rights as a priority of the United Nations, and the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights as the primary institution for that task. Latvia believes that the priority role of human rights requires increased funding. Latvia has decided to continue to support financially the project for the development of national human rights institutions. On the country level, I may note the National Human Rights Office which has operated actively in our country for several years and which is the first institution of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The Office was established with the support of the United Nations. Latvia desires to continue this constructive cooperation with the United Nations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Cooperation with United Nations institutions, especially the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has enhanced the social and economic welfare of Latviaâs inhabitants. The UNDP has helped our country resolve sensitive and important issues of integration. On behalf of the Government of Latvia, I would like to express gratitude for the assistance provided by the UNDP in enhancing the welfare of Latviaâs inhabitants. The successful cooperation should continue. The fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights spurs a consideration of Latviaâs possible contributions to the human-rights protection system.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“This programme will stimulate the development of a civil society and provide more opportunities for the learning of the Latvian language. When implemented, the programme will permit all residents of Latvia to participate to an even greater extent than at present in public and civic life. Already Latvia ensures broad opportunities for the development of the culture of various ethnic groups and for education in their mother tongues. This past June, Latviaâs parliament adopted a far- reaching decision about changes in the citizenship law. Most of the major political forces support these changes in the citizenship law. Shortly, the people of Latvia will voice their opinion of these changes in a referendum.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Latvia is experiencing healthy economic growth at present. Latvia has one of the highest rates of growth in gross national product and one of the lowest rates of inflation among European Union candidate States. It has a balanced budget, and expects to have one next year also. This creates justifiable optimism that the process of accession to the European Union will continue successfully. The development of an integrated society is a national priority. This is a complicated task because the Soviet regime intentionally created a situation in which Latvians almost became a minority in their own country. Nevertheless, Latvia is dealing resolutely with this task. By the end of the year the Government will have completed the elaboration of a programme for the integration of society.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Immediately after the restoration of independence, our nation had to achieve the removal of a foreign military force. This process was helped by two General Assembly resolutions and the good offices of the Secretary-General. I am pleased to announce that less than a month ago the last military installation of the Russian Federation in Latvia â€” the early-warning radar station in Skrunda â€” was closed. This event illustrates that international institutions can constructively assist in the fulfilment of bilateral agreements. Cooperation between Latvia and the United Nations has been rich in accomplishments. The experience gained in the United Nations community has helped us in our democratic development. At present, Latvia is paying particular attention to economic and social development.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“I will mention one example among many violations of human rights: three and a half months after the adoption of the Declaration, the people of Latvia, including myself, experienced the largest of several deportations. Tens of thousands of people, even elderly people and children, were deported to the gulag. This left a lasting mark on the collective consciousness of the people of Latvia and significantly altered the demographic situation. During the period of occupation, the people of Latvia were unable to utilize fully the human-rights protection system of the United Nations. That situation changed as Latvia restored its independence. In the seven years since Latvia became a Member of the United Nations, it has benefitted from the moral and political support of the largest international organization.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Allow me to congratulate the President of the General Assembly on his election and to wish him success in discharging his duties. I wish us all a constructive fifty-third session of the General Assembly. In 1995, the United Nations system commemorated its golden anniversary. This year, the United Nations celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is a major accomplishment for humankind. The Declaration has inspired the development of a reliable and effective international system for the protection of human rights. At the time of the adoption of the Universal Declaration, Latvia was under Soviet occupation. The Soviet Union did not respect human rights, even though it participated in the preparation and adoption of the Declaration.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Next year, the world will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Latvia, too, has begun preparations for this great anniversary. We hope that the Riga Dom Boys Choir will sing at the celebration concert to be held here in New York. This would be deeply symbolic, since future generations will shape the fate of nations. In many ways their fate will be decided by the heritage we leave to our children. We must do our utmost to draw closer to the age when nations will not fight against nations, but all will join forces in the battle against darkness. This sentiment, which has been drawn deep from the well of our national wisdom, seems to embody the essence of the United Nations now and in the future.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“However, contrary to standard United Nations practice, the current assessment of Latvia has been calculated without taking into account its actual capacity to pay. Instead, the data of a non-existent country - the former Soviet Union - has been used to determine Latvia’s assessment. Latvia has consistently and unwaveringly stated that it was forcibly incorporated into the former Soviet Union and therefore is not, and cannot ever be, its successor, with all the rights and obligations that this would entail. This was also stated in a letter to the Secretary-General in 1992. Latvia expects that the General Assembly will address this issue in the course of this session on the basis of the principle of sovereign equality. We consider that the same importance should be accorded to the United Nations principle of universality.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We also welcome and support the action taken by the Secretary-General to introduce a new, effective system 4 of accountability and responsibility, and, pursuant to the United States initiative, to establish the Office of Internal Oversight Services. Latvia supports especially the initiative to reform the calculation of United Nations assessments, based strictly on the principle of "capacity to pay". This would be a step towards improving the dire financial situation of the Organization and would pave the way for a fair solution to the issue of the assessments of Latvia and many other States. Although the inescapable difficulties associated with a transition period can still be felt in our economy and social sector, Latvia is endeavouring to fulfil its international obligations and commitments.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In promulgating this legislation, it followed the recommendations of the CSCE and the Council of Europe, and the passing of the law has been evaluated positively by these organizations. The need for rationalizing and revitalizing the work of the United Nations is becoming ever more apparent. Latvia is actively participating in the search for optimal solutions. Latvia supports the enlargement of the Security Council, perceiving this as a fair opportunity for small nations to increase their role in important international decision-making. Latvia also supports the improvement of cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and other international organizations, including the CSCE, the European Union and the Council of Europe.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Immediately after the restoration of its independence Latvia declared its accession to all the principal international human rights instruments. As I have already mentioned, a major effort is being made in the establishment of a national programme for the promotion and protection of the human rights of the individual in order that every individual be guaranteed equal rights and an equal opportunity to defend these rights. I believe that the concept of equal opportunity not only characterizes the fundamental rights of the individual, but is also a prerequisite for development. Latvia has always been open to cooperation with the United Nations, the CSCE and other international organizations. Latvia reaffirmed this when it passed its Citizenship Law.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We support the proposal made to the General Assembly by Mr. Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation, that the principles of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National, Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities be embodied in the legislation of all Member States. At the World Conference on Human Rights Latvia called for the establishment of standards and implementation mechanisms for the rights of minorities and foreigners. Those activities in the sphere of human rights are grounded in history. Prior to the Second World War, as a member of the League of Nations, Latvia fostered harmonious inter-ethnic relations. We are now trying to renew and cultivate this great tradition.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In response to a request by the Working Group, a high-level international mission organized by the United Nations Development Programme visited Latvia in July this year. The mission, which included representatives of several international organizations, including CSCE and the Council of Europe, consulted Latvia on the development of a national programme for the protection and promotion of human rights. At Latvia’s invitation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Latvia in October this year. I am proud that Latvia is one of the first countries to have demonstrated an awareness of its responsibility by establishing a national programme for the protection and promotion of human rights. Latvia is prepared to discuss and share its knowledge and experience with all interested parties.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The Conference recommended that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights. Latvia demonstrated its commitment to United Nations principles and its readiness to implement the recommendations of the Conference by establishing in March 1994 the post of State Minister for Human Rights, as well as forming a Government Working Group on the Protection of the Rights of Individuals, allocating the necessary resources towards these ends. We believe that the United Nations should devote a greater percentage of its regular budget to the promotion and protection of human rights.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“As a member of the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee, Latvia has become actively involved in the preparation for the World Social Summit. Furthermore, Latvia is one of the few States whose head of delegation is also a Vice- President of the Conference. Each global conference is an opportunity for every participating State to review and compare the sum of its experience. The issue of implementing the adopted resolutions at both the national and international levels is yet to be fully addressed. I would like to inform the Assembly of the extent of Latvia’s adherence to the recommendations adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights. In its Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action the Conference invited States to establish and strengthen national institutions for the protection of human rights.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It includes social and economic progress; justice and democracy, as the foundation of society; and the protection of human rights and the environment. Even if the threat of global nuclear war has subsided, the prospect of environmental catastrophe remains. I therefore restate Latvia’s proposal, first made at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, to host in Latvia before the end of this century a world summit at which participating States would commit themselves to diverting all resources gained from disarmament towards long-term development, especially for the protection of the environment and reversal of ecological damage caused by military activity. 3 This conference could take place in Jurmala, on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Latvia attaches great importance to international conferences organized by the United Nations.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“I invite the United Nations to consider organizing a high-level meeting for the solving of those problems. Many components of the United Nations system, primarily the Development Programme, are concerned with the promotion of economic progress. Therefore, within the framework of the aims of the proposed Agenda for Development, one of the challenges is to simplify, renew and integrate the United Nations system. Latvia is among those countries whose economic, governmental and social structures are undergoing a period of transition. Effective United Nations assistance to these countries would speed this process, allowing them to become donor countries sooner. The concept of development is very broad.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Last spring the Secretary-General issued a report (A/48/935) entitled "An Agenda for Development". Latvia welcomes this initiative, which marks a historic turning point in the work of the United Nations. From being an international forum primarily serving the interests of individual States, the United Nations is becoming a representative and defender of the needs of humanity. Economic and social development increases the security of every inhabitant of our planet. We believe that the United Nations and each Member State should recognize the need not only for a coalition for democracy, but also for a fight against organized crime and the trafficking of nuclear materials and narcotics. Without effective solutions to these problems, the security of each inhabitant of our planet and the development of every country and society are endangered.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Five years ago the "Baltic Way" - a human chain reaching from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius - symbolized the shared road towards independence and democracy. Today this road has also regained its historical and economic significance in our region. At the turn of the century the Baltic Way will already be an established part of the global information highway. I wish to reaffirm that Latvia will do its utmost to foster peaceful cooperation and the spirit of understanding, mutual trust and tolerance on the shores of the Baltic Sea. International peace and security and good- neighbourly relations between States are inextricably linked to economic and social development. The end of the cold war has created new opportunities to devote greater attention to these issues.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Recognizing the important role played by the United Nations in international peace-keeping, Latvia, together with its neighbours, Estonia and Lithuania, has established the Baltic Battalion, which in the future may participate in the peace-keeping operations of the Security Council. The Nordic States, the United Kingdom and the United States have greatly contributed to the establishment of the Baltic Battalion. We believe that the three Baltic States will thereby further the aims shared by the Member States of the largest and most influential of international bodies - the United Nations. During the cold war the Baltic Sea was a boundary. Nowadays the Baltic Sea unites rather than divides States.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Following the restoration of independence, the Baltic Parliamentary Assembly was formed, and this month work was begun by the Baltic Council of Ministers, which coordinates our policies in foreign affairs, trade, legislation and other matters. In other words, a balanced and active Baltic union has been created. At the same time, an evolutionary process towards an expanded European Union with a dynamic Nordic-Baltic dimension is taking place. The model for regional cooperation in Northern Europe aspired to by Latvia is "three plus five" - three Baltic States and five Nordic States.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The Latvian language, too, was under threat of extinction, despite the fact that it had survived for 4,000 years, partly in the form of a unique collection of more than one million folk songs. We wish to protect Latvia’s historical and cultural heritage, because Latvians can preserve their national identity only in this small land on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Latvians never have and never will ask for any other land. I should like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the necessity for regional cooperation. History has repeatedly shown that geographically and historically close States have forged the deepest relations, thereby enriching and furthering mutual development.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The documents signed by the Presidents of Russia and several Central and Eastern European States have marked an end to the legacy of the past, which had also been a burden to Russian society. We believe that it is impossible to fully comprehend the consequences of the Soviet occupation without an objective analysis of the events of 1939 and 1940. These consequences have been and continue to be felt in Latvia in the areas of political, economic and social development. No other country lost nearly 40 per cent of its native population during the Second World War; in no other post-war European country has the native population become a minority in seven of its largest cities, including the capital; and no other country has experienced population transfers and mass deportations on such a 2 scale.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Latvia and its people are the victims of both regimes - nazism and communism. Justice would prevail if the new democratic Russia, which played a decisive role in the destruction of the "Evil Empire", were to engage with Latvia in the appraisal of the actions taken by the Soviet Union against Latvia in 1940. The signing of truthful bilateral documents would preclude any petty psychological feelings of revenge and would provide amends to the victims of the totalitarian regime in both countries. These "truth" documents would foster even greater harmony between the various nationalities in Latvia and, we believe, lift some of Russia’s unenviable inherited burden. Such cases already exist.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Last spring, when I met with President Yeltsin in Moscow, I gained the conviction that in solving our problem he was guided by good will. In 1995, Europe and the world will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Allied victory over nazism. Latvians, too, fought against Hitler’s occupying forces in the belief that an Allied victory would be followed by the restoration of Latvian independence. However, whilst many nations breathed freely again after the end of the Nazi occupation, the Baltic States were engulfed for the second time by the totalitarian Soviet empire. As other nations celebrated the defeat of nazism, Latvia was subjected to the deportation of hundreds of thousands of innocent persons and the systematic destruction of the Latvian State and national identity.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In many respects, Baltic security is a guarantee for peace and stability in Europe. The Baltic States are already considering the possible solutions to this important question, and I hope that the Member States will devote their full attention and interest to these ends. A significant dialogue between our two countries has concluded with the completion of Russian troop withdrawal from Latvia. Thanks to the support of many countries and international organizations, Latvia today is free from foreign military presence. Nevertheless, without the foresight and the civility displayed by both parties, we could not stand here today and speak of social harmony and tolerance in Latvia, nor could we say that both Latvia and the Russian Federation have one less problem to address.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“William Clinton, President of the United States of America, stressed that the sovereign and independent Baltic States must not be part of any sphere of influence. It must be noted that President Clinton played a vital role in disentangling problems which had developed during negotiations with the Russian Federation on the withdrawal of its troops from Estonia and Latvia. I should like to remind the international community that the Russian radar facility will remain in Skrunda for five and a half years, and nuclear reactors will remain in Paldiski, Estonia. Heavy Russian military transit takes place through Lithuania to Kaliningrad, where a high military concentration is maintained. On the whole, these are risk factors which potentially threaten the Baltic States and, in fact, the entire Baltic Sea region.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“According to the bilateral agreement between Latvia and Russia on the Skrunda radar facility, any attempt to settle disputes or differences of opinion connected with the agreement by means of military threats or by the use of armed force shall be considered a threat to international peace and security and shall be brought before the United Nations Security Council. For its part, representatives of the CSCE will observe the implementation of the agreements and the fulfilment of the respective parties’ obligations. However, we have yet to exhaust the opportunities for preventive diplomacy in the Baltic region. Baltic regional security continues to be a pressing issue. On his visit to Latvia last summer, Mr.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“I can state with full conviction that the international calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops, made by the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), amongst others, were pivotal to the successful resolution of this long drawn-out matter. We believe that this approach may be useful as an example for the resolution of other global issues and we are prepared to share our experience with others. The United Nations and the CSCE will continue to have an important role in the implementation of the agreements.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“With satisfaction I should like to report to the General Assembly that, on the whole, General Assembly consensus resolutions 47/21 of 25 November 1992 and 48/18 of 15 November 1993, entitled "Complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of the Baltic States", have been implemented. The last Russian military units departed Latvia and Estonia at the end of August. Thus, the Second World War has ended for the Baltic States. Our bilateral negotiations with the Russian Federation, which lasted for more than two years, culminated with the signing on 30 April 1994 of agreements the ratification of which has been included in the agenda of the Parliament of Latvia.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“That is why this Organization has always played and will continue to play a role in furthering the progress of nations, as evidenced by its vast undertakings in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as its efforts to increase the well-being of society and every individual. Two years ago, the Secretary-General in his report "An Agenda for Peace", comprehensively analysed aspects related to the maintenance of peace and security. This report led to a broad debate on concepts such as preventive diplomacy, peace-keeping, peacemaking and post-conflict peace-building. Preventive diplomacy by the United Nations and other organizations undoubtedly furthered the resolution of a very difficult issue for Latvia and all of Europe - the withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of the Baltic States.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session and to wish you every success in leading this august body. May this session be constructive and productive for you and all delegations. New geopolitical, economic and technological realities have appeared at the close of the twentieth century. The destructive cold war has come to an end and its symbol - the Berlin Wall - has collapsed. The insuppressible long-held yearnings of many peoples for freedom and independence led in the end to the disintegration of even the seemingly indestructible Soviet empire, clearly reaffirming the lasting strength and integrity of the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations - peace, equality and justice.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It is my belief that the restoration of our independence will enable Latvia, a small State, to play a greater role in securing peace and democracy in the world. I am convinced that together we can leave our children a better world with more security, more faith and more freedom.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Latvia has a history of participation in international affairs, including its term as Presiding Member of the Council of the League of Nations. In order to mark our historic contribution to international relations, and to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the signing of our declaration of independence, Latvia has undertaken the task of restoring a hall at the United Nations Office in Geneva. This hall, located in the Palais des Nations, and adorned with amber collected from the shores of the Baltic Sea, was decorated and endowed by the Government and the people of Latvia in 1938 as a donation to the League of Nations. May the return of that hall at the Palais des Nations to its original splendour symbolize the victory of justice constituted by the return of Latvia to full membership in the international community.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Their access to the United Nations human-rights system should be increased. With respect to the debate on restructuring the Security Council, Latvia supports increasing the number of members of the Security Council. Such reform must ensure that the Council is adequately balanced between large and small States. Latvia supports the efforts aimed at rationalizing the structure and the agenda of the General Assembly. Latvia welcomes the positive processes under way in the Middle East, South Africa, Cambodia and Haiti. We hope that, with the efforts of the United Nations and other international organizations, peace will prevail in the former Yugoslavia, Georgia, Somalia and elsewhere where blood is still being spilt.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“At the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, we addressed two problem areas where we should be able to make contributions: the rights of minorities and the rights of foreigners. Latvia reiterates the offer it made at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to host an international conference in its resort city of Jurmala to examine possibilities for redirecting resources from armaments towards rehabilitating the environment. Latvia supports the establishment of the post of United Nations high commissioner for human rights. We also urge an increase in the percentage of the regular budget allocated to the Centre for Human Rights in Geneva. The position of Latvia regarding non-governmental organizations is that they play a valuable role on the international stage, especially in the area of human rights.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The December 1992 decision is not in accordance with the Charter principle of sovereign equality because the two different methods for determining assessments result in unequal financial obligations for different Member States. Notwithstanding the fact that Latvia and the other two Baltic States are not successors to the former Soviet Union, they have been made to assume excessive financial obligations of the former Soviet Union and even to accept a portion of its contribution to the Working Capital Fund. 10 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session Latvia is now entering its third year as a State Member of the United Nations. We expect to increase our involvement in the work of the United Nations and other international organizations, participating in the search for solutions to global problems.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Latvia believes that a solution to the crisis that is acceptable to all Member States and based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations must be found. Latvia wishes to bring to the attention of the General Assembly an ad hoc decision which was made for reasons of financial and political expediency, but which will in fact contribute to the financial crisis. I am referring to the decision taken by the General Assembly in December 1992 to determine, inter alia, the assessment rates of 15 Member States, including Latvia, according to an ad hoc method rather than the standard method for determining capacity to pay.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“21-23) The report of the United Nations human rights fact-finding mission to Latvia is similar to reports submitted by the Council of Europe, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. Despite these numerous affirmations that human rights are not being violated in Latvia, it has become the object of political attacks - the Russian Federation constantly accuses Latvia of human rights violations. Latvia has expended great efforts and resources to refute these unsubstantiated allegations. In addition, resources of international organizations, including the United Nations, have been expended. I shall now address the grave financial crisis that faces the United Nations and has forced the Secretary-General to take drastic measures to economize.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It is this sense of insecurity rather than any gross violation of human rights that is most characteristic of the situation prevailing in Latvia today. "The information received and examined by the Mission does not reveal gross and systematic violations of human rights in Latvia. Individual violations which have been reported are limited and not related to discriminatory policy as such and they should and can be remedied at the appropriate level. On the positive side, it should be emphasized that no instances of violence, no mass dismissals from employment, exclusion from educational establishments, evictions from apartments, or expulsions were reported." (A/47/748, paras.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Latvia has no reason to hide its internal situation and has thus welcomed numerous examinations of its human rights record. On behalf of Latvia, I should like to thank the Secretary-General and the States Members of the United Nations for the fact-finding mission, headed by the present Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Mr. Ibrahima Fall, which visited Latvia in October 1992. I should like to quote from the Mission’s conclusions: "Latvia is going through a transitional period following the reestablishment of independence. During this period the Latvian Government is endeavouring to redress certain historical inequities and injustices perpetrated during Soviet rule from 1940 to 1991. "This has given rise to anxiety among the non-ethnic Latvians about their future status and role in the country.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“According to experts of the Council of Europe, the protection afforded by Latvia’s legislation is comparable to that provided by the constitutional instruments of most States members of the Council of Europe and guaranteed collectively by the Council of Europe, in particular through the European Convention on Human Rights. Historical minorities of Latvia such as Russians, Belarussians, Poles, Jews and others have their own schools and active national cultural societies, which help to maintain each group’s national identity. A peaceful, legal and pragmatic restoration process has begun in Latvia. Numerous appraisals by the international community have affirmed that this process is in fact peaceful and is being conducted within the confines of international law.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Pursuant to Latvia’s Constitution, it is this body of persons which participated in the June 1993 parliamentary elections. Latvia’s present body of citizens includes approximately Forty-eighth session - 29 September l993 9 400,000 non-ethnic Latvians, or approximately 25 per cent of the electorate - a figure that reflects the non-ethnic Latvian composition of the electorate prior to the occupation in 1940. Latvia’s democratically elected Parliament, the Saeima, will in the near future adopt a citizenship law which will set the requirements, in accordance with international law, for obtaining Latvian citizenship for residents of Latvia who arrived after 1940. Persons transferred into Latvia during the Soviet occupation exercise freely all rights granted by international human rights instruments.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Further, the policy of the Soviet authorities was to prevent access by Latvians to professions in various governmental and strategic fields. With a view to ensuring the survival of the Latvian people, it has become necessary for Latvia to develop a law on citizenship which will safeguard the national identity of its indigenous population. Concurrently, Latvia will uphold its obligations under international human rights law. Latvia has already determined its present body of citizens through a process of resident registration. In 1991, along with the restoration of its sovereignty and independence, Latvia restored citizenship to those persons from whom it had been taken in 1940; this was done regardless of their national, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and citizenship was granted to their descendants as well.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We believe that the restoration of our independence has given us the opportunity to improve our demographic situation. If we can reach a point where Latvians feel secure about their future, we will then have the freedom to invest more of our resources in finding solutions to global problems. The change in the demographic situation of Latvia during the Soviet occupation cannot be conveyed by numbers alone. Latvians were subjected to discrimination, in particular with respect to the use of the Latvian language and professional development. Command of the Russian language became necessary in both the educational system and many workplaces, while use of the Latvian language was eliminated in many spheres.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)