YouSaid · the spoken record

Vaira Vike-Freiberga

lines on the record: 78
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2006-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“Many of the positive changes that Latvia has experienced over the past decade have been actively supported by the United Nations, and particularly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Latvia's new social security system, which is now one of the most modern in Europe, was implemented with direct UNDP participation. The UNDP and the Latvian Government are also cooperating in the implementation of minority integration programmes in our country. Latvia is still in the process of reforming its health and education systems and, like other countries in Europe, must confront the problem of an ageing population resulting from a falling birth rate, the number of deaths each year continuing to exceed the number of births.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“When Latvia regained its independence 11 years ago, it had to undergo a rapid transformation from an occupied nation with a repressive political system to a liberal parliamentary democracy that respects human rights and liberties, and it had to transform its closed and planned State-run economy to an open and free-market economy. Thanks to the hard work undertaken by Latvia's people and their commitment to implement difficult transition policies — as well as the dedicated support of the international community — Latvia now has one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, along with a stable national currency and a low rate of inflation. Within a few months, Latvia hopes to receive official invitations to join the European Union and the NATO alliance.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Initiated reforms within the United Nations system itself must continue in order to put an end to the overlapping of functions and to prevent unnecessary competition among the Organization's various institutions. Sounder spending practices and reduced paperwork, along with a reduction in the number of meetings and conferences with overlapping themes, would all further increase the effectiveness of United Nations activities. Despite certain deficiencies in the structure and work of the United Nations, the Organization has contributed tremendously to the economic and social development of numerous Member States, including my own country, Latvia.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The United Nations itself will need to increase its administrative capacity if it is to effectively cooperate with its Member States in realizing the goals of the Millennium Declaration. Thanks to the initiative of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, several improvements can already be seen in the work of the United Nations, particularly regarding the reform of peacekeeping operations and the level of collaboration among the Organization's own institutions. Further improvements could still be made in the financial discipline of the Organization's Member States through the timely payment of membership dues and more rational use by Member States of United Nations services at United Nations conferences.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“That council will establish plans for the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of the country, in conjunction with European Union policies. Two years ago, the States Members of the United Nations adopted another series of far-reaching goals when they signed the Millennium Declaration on the reduction of poverty. Unfortunately, we cannot yet pride ourselves on having achieved notable progress in 20 that sphere. If the laudable goals of the Declaration are truly to be realized in practice, then the States Members of the United Nations will have to display a far greater degree of political will and practical commitment in implementing them.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“I am proud to note that Latvia ratified the Kyoto Protocol earlier this summer, and I share the hope of Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, will lead to an increased commitment to environmental protection by the countries Members of the United Nations. Latvia is pleased that target dates have now been set regarding safe drinking water, sanitation and permissible levels of harmful chemicals. Yet we must not allow ourselves to slip into complacency, as the goals that our countries set at Rio in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development are still far from being reached. This past spring, Latvia established a sustainable development council, led by the country's Prime Minister.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“These pressing global issues include organized crime and illegal trafficking, the abuse and exploitation of women and children, endemic poverty and unemployment, drug addiction and disease, and environmental pollution. The global ecological crisis that our planet is now experiencing has resulted from our own reckless disregard for the Earth that sustains us. If we do not radically curb the excessive amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants that we produce every day, then we will continue to experience natural disasters and climate changes of increasing scope and frequency.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We applaud the willingness of the United States to engage the international community, through the United Nations and through the Security Council, on the legitimate concerns of the United States with regard to containing and eliminating visible and defiant threats to peace and stability in the world. Latvia realizes that in this globalized world of the twenty-first century, no nation can be an island unto itself. Several other alarming threats besides international terrorism and arms proliferation present such serious challenges to the human race that we can hope to address them only through concerted and long- term international cooperation.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Latvia views such clandestine activities not only as destabilizing to the region, but also as a threat to world security. That is why Latvia believes that the United Nations and the rest of the international community must act deliberately and decisively to curb the continuing threat of weapons proliferation posed by Iraq. Latvia congratulates the United States of America on the respect expressed by President George W. Bush for the United Nations as an institutions and on the commitment he expressed this morning to the principle of multilaterality that the United Nations embodies.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We are improving our air and border surveillance capabilities, updating our emergency response procedures and raising the public's preparedness for dealing with emergency situations. I would like to express Latvia's concern at the fact that one of the Organization's Member States — Iraq — continues to ignore repeated calls by both the Security Council and the rest of the international community to allow United Nations weapons inspectors on its territory. This lack of good will and this manifest atmosphere of secrecy only serve to reinforce credible suspicions that that country is clandestinely seeking to produce nuclear, chemical, bacteriological and other weapons of mass destruction, in clear violation of Security Council resolutions.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Latvia, in collaboration with the United Nations, the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and all like-minded countries, is determined to do everything in its power to stem the growing threat of international terrorism. In the wake of the 11 September attacks, the Latvian Government has adopted an action plan that foresees Latvia's ratification of all international anti-terrorist conventions, as well as an increase in the capacity of Latvia's administrative, security, law enforcement and military structures. We are continuing to harmonize our national legislation according to international and European Union standards, and we are tightening our control of immigration and the flow of strategic goods.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Today, as well as on the anniversary date itself, Latvians the world over are with the bereaved and with the people of the United States in our thoughts and in our prayers. We see the heinous crimes of 11 September not only as a contemptible act of aggression against the United States, but also as a direct and frontal assault against the civilized world as a whole. 19 The foundation of any civilized society rests on its deep-seated respect for the sanctity of human life. International terrorists hold human life in total and utter contempt. International terrorists specifically target civilian non-combatant populations, with the express goal of extinguishing as many human lives as possible. That is precisely what makes international terrorists so dangerous and so threatening.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The United Nations and the international community can be proud that their concerted efforts to create a climate of peace and security on that island have met with success, and that the people of East Timor are now able to be the masters of their own destiny. I would also like to express Latvia's continued solidarity and sympathy with the people of the United States, one year and one day after the horrifying terrorist attacks that changed the world forever. The courage and resilience displayed by the inhabitants of New York following the destruction of the World Trade Center has been truly remarkable, and the manner in which New Yorkers have coped with the aftermath of this tragedy has been an inspiration to us all.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“I would like to begin by congratulating the Swiss Confederation on its recent accession to the United Nations Organization. Switzerland's immeasurable contribution to the work of the United Nations, even as a non-member, has been widely recognized and appreciated for decades. I am confident that Switzerland, in its new capacity as a Member State, will assume an even more significant role in United Nations activities, a role compatible with its new status. Later this month the United Nations will greet another country, East Timor, as the newest member of the Organization. Like my own country, Latvia, which regained its independence only 11 years ago, East Timor will face the difficult challenges of consolidating its statehood and enhancing its economic development.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“On 16 July this year, and as one of my first official functions as President, I had the pleasure of participating in the official inauguration of the United Nations House in Riga, one of the first United Nations Houses in Europe and the very first in our region. I should like to express my country’s full support for the proposed Millennium Assembly of 2000 and trust that it will become a landmark in setting our sights for the twenty-first century. May the results of the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly advance our common cause at the dawn of the new millennium.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Latvia has been an active contributor to United Nations revitalization through its membership in the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights. Latvia has put forward its candidature for the Security Council elections in 2005. This spring my country signed the Statute of the International Criminal Court and is currently planning the ratification process. A very visible indication of our appreciation of the work of the United Nations and a concrete manifestation of Latvia’s support for the Secretary General’s programme for United Nations reform is our donation of a historic, fully renovated building in the centre of our capital as a shared home for all United Nations agencies in Latvia.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Latvia believes in complementarity between regional and global efforts. For Latvia, integration into Europe remains a high priority but it is not the end of the road. Integration into the transatlantic security alliance would be a prudent step but not a sufficient one. For Latvia to succeed, and for the people of Latvia to have the full opportunity they deserve to live secure, healthy and prosperous lives, Latvia must be integrated into the political, business and intellectual exchange of the global community. We are very proud that on 10 February 1999 Latvia became the first Baltic State to join the World Trade Organization as a full-fledged member. Within the range of its capabilities, Latvia has participated in peace operations in the Balkans and has contributed to relieving the suffering of Kosovo refugees.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Over the past few years and with the help of the international community, Latvia has attached particular importance to the process of forming a fully integrated, harmonious society. It is a challenging but critically important task for my country, the more so because of the burdens imposed by our historical legacy. We perceive it as an ongoing process that involves many cultural and educational aspects and includes the important element of the individual’s right to choose. Our goal is to give each resident of our country an equal opportunity to contribute to a civic identity that shares common goals and values with all Europe. As part of this programme, my country will continue to attach particular importance to strengthening the role of the Latvian language and incorporating minorities into the everyday affairs of the country.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Fifty years of occupation have left us with a heavy social, economic and psychological legacy, but we have made tremendous efforts to overcome this in every way. The support offered by the United Nations in this onerous task has been of enormous significance and I should like to take this opportunity to reiterate the heartfelt appreciation of Latvia for the invaluable assistance provided by the United Nations. During this century Latvia has made a remarkable turnaround. It has gone from the depths of tragedy to the heights of success. In a few short years, Latvia has grown into a politically stable State with strong democratic institutions and practices. Latvia has restored a thriving market economy and a deep respect for individual rights and freedoms.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“9 Membership in the United Nations was just the first step along that road towards reasserting our national and our human rights. More importantly, we recognized our responsibility to help other nations setting out on this path. Yet, even at the very end of this century, we still encounter thinking which a priori denies the right of nations to choose their own destiny. Thankfully, such views are becoming less and less acceptable as the years go by. For Latvia, as a free and sovereign nation, the last few years have been a remarkably successful period of active integration into the international community, of internal restructuring, of wide-ranging reforms and societal regeneration.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“My country is one of those nations that could not be a part of the United Nations at its inception; because freedom of choice was forbidden our people when Latvia lost its independence in 1940, we have special respect for this principle today. We also reserve a special place in our hearts for the United Nations because it was the first international Organization which we joined after the restoration of independence in 1991. It was a moment of celebration, pride and even euphoria as justice prevailed and a long struggle to join the community of nations finally came to an end. But our people quickly realized that we were now setting out along a new road. After a 50-year delay, Latvia was faced with the task of becoming an equal, responsible and contributing member of a new Europe and a new, globalized international community.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Any instances of terrorism should be universally condemned, and steps must be taken to strengthen the international response to this problem. For the United Nations to become a truly modern Organization, it must reflect the new realities of a changed international context. Reform of the Security Council remains central to the revitalization programme of the United Nations and should reflect both the needs of the international community and present-day realities. The acquisition or possession of nuclear weapons must no longer be the basis for super-Power status, and the future model of the Council will have to reflect this reality. That model should also make the Council more open to the views and contributions of smaller States and non- permanent members. How does Latvia see its contribution to the new United Nations?”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The topical issues of cooperation, conflict prevention, non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, humanitarian questions, environmental protection, poverty eradication and gender equality need to be addressed on a global scale. Without a doubt, the United Nations and its institutions must play an increasingly important role in resolving these issues. Since the mandate of the United Nations is to serve humanity, the United Nations should observe the principle of universality. The United Nations capacity for conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy is by no means exhausted and further attention should be paid to fostering the observance of these preventive principles throughout the world. Even as we speak here today, many people in this world are suffering at the hands of terrorists or live under terrorist threat.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Yet even in those situations a modern United Nations system is expected to seek earlier and more effective involvement than was the case in South-East Europe, East Timor or the Middle East. It must be stressed that the painful refugee crisis of Kosovo could not possibly be resolved without the direct involvement of the United Nations and its institutions. But, sadly, the maximum potential of the United Nations cannot always be utilized because of prejudice, lack of political will or perceived political ambitions. Let us not forget that the costs of our reluctance to take action are extremely high: too often our reluctance results in the deaths of innocent people and is the cause of wholesale destruction which may take years and decades to remedy.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga upon their admission to United Nations membership. The reform process of the United Nations is under way, and my country, Latvia, fully supports it. After all, Member States are the ones that set the agenda of the Organization, and it will be the quality and commitment of each State that will ultimately determine the success or failure of our common efforts. Some of the negative feelings about the United Nations stem from excessive expectations. One cannot view the United Nations as a panacea, particularly where decisions on long-lasting regional problems are concerned or when preventive actions on a regional level are long overdue.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“These have given rise to questions about the effectiveness and the very relevance of this body within the contemporary international system. This scepticism ranges from concerns about the capability of the Organization to address regional conflicts and the needs of the developing world, to concerns about budgetary management problems. No doubt there is some basis for each of those concerns. Nevertheless, they should not undermine the fundamental importance of a truly global Organization which over a period of decades has earned respect around the world. Our ranks are constantly growing, and the United Nations continues to approach the goal of truly worldwide representation.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The noble ideals which have guided the United Nations over the years have neither become outdated nor lost their relevance. Peace in the world, combating poverty, defending human rights — this is a programme which is still in force and whose goals could not be more clear-cut. It is rather like the struggle of the mythical hero against the Hydra: he cuts off one head and nine more grow in its place. Nevertheless, we cannot possibly give up the fight and we must not drop our guard, not if the world we wish to build is a civilized one. 8 (spoke in English) The fifty-fourth General Assembly of the United Nations is being held at a time when the United Nations system has experienced a certain amount of strain and is faced with important challenges.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“It is a great honour for me to address the Assembly at its fifty-fourth session, and its President, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab. You may be assured, Sir, of my highest respect, and may I extend to you my best wishes for success in your efforts. This fifty-fourth Assembly, the last before the year 2000, inevitably gives us food for thought. On the one hand, it urges us to turn to the achievements and the major successes of which the United Nations can rightly be proud. On the other hand, it urges us to rise to all the challenges which the new millennium will not fail to put before us. May our debates here help establish peace and security throughout the world, settle conflicts and develop innovative solutions to the problems we will have to face.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)