YouSaid · the spoken record

Modibo Sidibé

lines on the record: 86
first: 1997-09-24
most recent: 2001-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“A democratization of the Security Council, whose structure no longer corresponds to the realities of the world, will help reflect the shared will to make that organ more effective, representative and legitimate. Along these lines, we reiterate the demands of Africa for an equitable allocation of the two categories of seats, in 35 accordance with the Harare Declaration and the decisions adopted by the heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity. In conclusion, the peoples of the United Nations are watching us as we carry out the promises contained in the Millennium Declaration. We must build a new world — a world that reflects our intelligence, a world of justice, a world that embodies the essential values of all humanity.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“On the Korean peninsula, the region from which you come, my delegation hopes that the process of reconciliation now under way will experience further progress, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 55/11, thanks to autonomous and strengthened inter-Korean dialogue, and especially the holding of a second summit in the near future. In this spirit, my country will continue its action for the reconciliation and peaceful reunification of the two Koreas. Adapting the United Nations to the demands of our world is an urgent need. Mali remains convinced of the vital necessity of democratizing the United Nations and restructuring its main organs, making them more representative and credible.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Mali firmly condemns the violence that has been suffered by the Palestinian people, and we believe that Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the principle of land for peace and the other relevant resolutions of the United Nations must serve as a basis for negotiations and the establishment of a just, global and lasting peace. We call for the resumption of these negotiations and reaffirm our unfailing attachment to the legitimate rights of the fraternal Palestinian people, including the right to the establishment of an independent State. My delegation also expresses its hope that there will be a definitive lifting of sanctions against the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our Organization is, more than ever before, called to act to promote international peace and security and to achieve development for all. Here in the United Nations, we must act as full-fledged Member States, shapers of our shared future. We say this in order to recall our shared responsibility to bring about peace in the Middle East, the Balkans and the Great Lakes region — to mention just these cases — and to do justice to human nature. We share responsibility to manifest more solidarity and to provide assistance to resolve the many humanitarian crises that exist. In the Middle East, the situation remains of concern because of the persistence of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This is why we hope that the Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is now under way in Doha, Qatar, will promote new progress and decisive initiatives to make it possible for Africa to develop its assets. The entry into force of the African Union, whose constituent act was signed in Lomé on 12 July 2000, reflects the commitment of African leaders to the integration of our continent. In fact, the establishment of the African Union and the launching of the New Partnership for African Development, aimed at eliminating poverty through sustainable development, can help support the dynamics of regional integration. In this respect, we appeal to the international community to assist this African initiative, which is so promising for the future of the peoples of our continent.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This is why Mali believes that the Conference will have to lead to the adoption of a concise political declaration — a declaration with precise strategic objectives reflecting the collective will to act to resolve the problem of financing development and to lay the foundations for a real world partnership. Africa is pleased that the high-level debate of the 2001 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which was held in Geneva in July, had as its theme “The role of the United Nations system in supporting the efforts of African countries to achieve sustainable development”, and awaits the realization of the measures envisaged there. This role must not be merely a declared one — it must lead to concrete results.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“and it is also a test of the international community following the Millennium Declaration. There will be success only if we see a will to move to concrete action, if we envisage stronger and bolder measures to finance development, to increase the effectiveness of foreign aid and to resolve the problems that are hampering the sustainable development of the least developed countries.” The International Conference on Financing for Development, which will be held in Monterrey in March 2002, should be an important event and an interface for dialogue to find new means of contributing to the financing of development and to reaffirm the political will for concrete development objectives.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our responsibility is great indeed with regard to the persistence of inequalities and the increase in poverty. The peoples of the world aspire to education, employment, health and nutritional self-sufficiency — in other words, they hope to attain more dignified and humane living conditions. In this context, Africa, which intends to make its union a reality, wants to become master of its own destiny. It needs solidarity to help it strengthen its capacities and mobilize its own development resources. We will work hard toward the implementation of the Programme of Action of the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Brussels in May 2001. As was stated by President Konare, that Conference, by the very fact that it was being convened, signalled progress 34 “...”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The creation of the International Criminal Court will not only make it possible to bring to trial the perpetrators of the gravest crimes against the dignity of the human person, but will also be an instrument of deterrence, which can thus contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, I recall that Mali has already ratified the Rome Statute, thus expressing its support for the struggle against impunity and for the full respect of human dignity. We appeal to others to help make the court a reality as early as next year. In the field of human security, we must provide an appropriate response — a global and urgent response — to the scourge of HIV/AIDS following the special session of June 2001, while at the same time increasing our potential to fight malaria.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The special session of the General Assembly on children will be an opportunity to build a progressive and universalist vision in order to promote a “world worthy of children”, with the participation of all, within the framework of a world movement for children. ECOWAS, which has prepared for that gathering, is continuing its efforts to implement the Accra plan of action on the situation of children in conflict with the opening of a special office entrusted with this question, the Optional Protocol that will soon be adopted on the sale of children and the regional initiative on joint vaccination days. In the near future, a decade for the culture of children’s rights will be examined.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The recent summit of heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on a global and comprehensive approach to security questions stresses once again the will of West Africa to shoulder its responsibilities, helped by its various partners. The implementation of these initiatives and West African approaches to conflict prevention and management will require assistance from the international community, in particular the United Nations. In this respect, it is gratifying to note that a genuine partnership has been established between the United Nations and ECOWAS. We firmly encourage the establishment of the United Nations Office for West Africa, as recommended by the inter-institutional mission that visited the region from 6 to 27 March 2001.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Mali welcomes and encourages the positive developments in the peace process in Sierra Leone that have taken place since the second meeting of the Committee of Six of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council with the United Nations, the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) on 2 May 2001 in Abuja, Nigeria. Progress, although still fragile, has been made in the Mano River Union region. As evidence of this we can cite the ministerial meetings among the three countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. ECOWAS intends to continue its efforts to help make the Mano River Union a pillar of stability and development.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The West African subregion remains characterized by the persistence of conflict, a high level of poverty, illicit trade in weapons and the proliferation of armed bands. In order to deal with these conflicts, ECOWAS has given priority to a regional approach for the prevention and management of conflicts in order to deal with the root causes of conflict and its humanitarian consequences. The ECOWAS protocol on the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, adopted in 1999, is a major tool for regional prevention and management of conflicts. Its innovations include its Mediation and Security Council, its early warning system and the fact that it is rooted in the consolidation and protection of democracy and human rights.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Mali, which hosted the African preparatory conference, will work towards the success of a follow- up to the conclusions of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and towards the full implementation of the Programme of Action resulting from that important Conference. The West African experience in this respect constitutes an important initiative to be supported through the declaration of an Economic 33 Community of West African States (ECOWAS) moratorium on the importation, exportation and manufacture of small arms and light weapons and the Programme for Coordination and Assistance for Security and Development in Africa.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Lakhdar Brahimi, whom we congratulate on his appointment. Deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, we call for increased and coordinated emergency humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people. The maintenance of peace and security requires strict control of weapons. Mali will actively and resolutely continue to support international and regional efforts in the field of disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The question of small arms, as we see it, is another source of concern. In fact, small arms contribute to the breakdown of the social balance, fuel conflicts and destabilize States, thus jeopardizing all development efforts.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This is why the tragic events of 11 September 2001 call for the action now being taken against terrorism, but they also mean that we must in the medium and long term reflect on the further ways of combating terrorism that we must devise. But above all, these events mean that we must endeavour vigorously to implement the Millennium Declaration programme of action in order to ensure prosperity for the largest possible number of people. In this context, Mali advocates integrated, sustained global action in which the United Nations should play the primary role. While reiterating Africa’s appeal for the holding of an international conference on terrorism, under the auspices of the United Nations, Mali intends to support the initiatives of the Secretary- General and of his Special Representative, Mr.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In this respect, in addition to the Organization of the Islamic Conference Convention on Combating International Terrorism, we appeal for the entry into force of the important Organization of African Unity Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, adopted at Algiers in July 1999. We also call for an effective partnership with Africa to strengthen its capacity to combat terrorism. The terrorist acts of 11 September, incompatible with the lofty and tolerant message of Islam, have clearly shown the vulnerability of our current international system and have emphasized the need for increased international cooperation in order to deal with this situation.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Government of Mali has firmly condemned these heinous acts and expressed its solidarity with the American people and its support for the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Mali has already taken the measures necessary for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), inter alia, through the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee in charge of implementing and coordinating international measures. We have also undertaken to ratify various conventions against terrorism in order to complete the vital legal arsenal that we need to make a complete contribution to the collective international efforts under the auspices of the United Nations, and also to regional actions.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“May I also take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Kofi Annan on his re-election to the post of Secretary-General of our Organization, and I would like once again to express to him Mali’s deepest appreciation for his steadfast efforts and his determination in the quest for a better world in the face of the many and complex challenges of the world of today. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations and to Mr. Annan reflects the work accomplished by the Secretary-General over the past five years and is a source of legitimate pride to me as an African. Our fifty-sixth session is of particular importance, being held as it is in the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attacks that plunged the American nation into mourning on 11 September 2001.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“At the outset, I would like to express our condolences to the Governments of the United States and the Dominican 32 Republic, and to the families of the victims of this morning’s tragic plane crash. I express my warmest congratulations to Mr. Han Seung-soo on his election as President of the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly. I wish to assure him of my delegation’s complete support in the exercise of his difficult and lofty mission. I am convinced that, with his experience and talents as a seasoned diplomat, he will guide our discussions to success. To his predecessor, Mr. Harri Holkeri, I would like to express my sincerest and warmest congratulations on the competence, dedication, effectiveness and authority that he displayed throughout his term of office, which was so rich in important events for the life of our Organization.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The peoples expect the United Nations to promote and ensure a world of progress for all, a world of peace, a world of sharing. In this respect Mali sees the Millennium 16 Declaration as the fabric we can use to build a better world. Now is the time for action.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“My delegation believes in the need to democratize the United Nations further, to restructure all its principal organs. Reform of the Security Council will give effect to our desire to modernize this important organ that the Charter makes primarily responsible for threats to and breaches of international peace and security. A reformed Council must be more transparent in its working methods, more democratic, more representative, more legitimate in its membership, and it must be more credible in the way it is perceived by other member States. Mali reaffirms Africa's demand for equitable distribution of seats in the two categories, pursuant to the Harare Declaration adopted by the OAU Summit of Heads of State or Government. More than ever before the human being must be the very heart of the new millennium.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We welcome and support these initiatives which begin a direct dialogue between the parties involved and promote peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. HIV/AIDS jeopardizes the future of millions of men, women and children in Africa and it is also a threat to international peace and security. A failure to deal with this would be culpable and suicidal indifference. In this connection we fully support the proposal to convene a special session of the General Assembly on AIDS. Adapting the United Nations to the requirements of the age is absolutely essential. The challenges facing us in the political, economic and social areas force us to demonstrate creativity and realism so that we can come up with innovative and constructive suggestions and translate them into action in the true interests of our peoples.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“It would allow us to try those responsible for the most horrible crimes and it would also be a tool for deterrence that could contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. Mali has already ratified the Court's Statute, thus showing that it supports the struggle against the culture of impunity and to ensure respect for human dignity. In view of the progress in achieving some settlement in the Lockerbie matter, we would call for the definitive and immediate lifting of sanctions that are unjustly inflicting suffering on the brother people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. We must be careful about sanctions because of the humanitarian cost involved. We must use more effective, targeted sanctions. On the Korean peninsula we welcome the recent inter-Korean summit and the exchange visits by peoples of both countries.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“President Konaré said that pressure must be credible and can only attain its goal if the international community adopts a firm consistent and constructive approach in the event of any putsch or attempted coup d'état. It must avoid encouraging those who are tempted to violate republican and democratic rules by removing any ambiguity. In this respect, the international community must be clearer and more rigorous in its approach and support the OAU which seeks to deter putsches by taking a clear position and by imposing political sanctions. Could this position not also be taken up in the United Nations? Along the same lines the establishment of the International Criminal Court with the Rome Statues would be a permanent body to act against impunity.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Despite inadequacies, difficulties and sometimes violent breakdowns, the democratic process is gaining ground in Africa. A democratic Africa is becoming increasingly real, but it is still a fragile reality that must be supported and helped. Mali welcomes the adoption last June by the [Community of Democracies] of the Warsaw Declaration, advocating the strengthening of cooperation among democratic countries with a view to sharing the best practices, protecting themselves against threats to democratic processes, and promoting the emergence of a partnership forum to help democracies in transition. We must be strong against unconstitutional change of political regimes so that we can strengthen democracy. We must condemn such changes as a matter of principle and there must be consequences.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Here I refer to the strong words of President Konaré, who rightly told the community of democracies conference, held in Warsaw, that the development of democracy is the basis for a world of peace, solidarity and social justice, 15 and that only democracy can allow each of us to shoulder the burden, but also the honour, of being a human being and serving humankind. “What an honour it is to be a human being!” he said. The Ministerial Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa said rightly that democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, the rights of peoples, and the rule of law, are prerequisites to achieving security, stability and development in Africa. Nothing must prevent open discussion of ideas and the promotion of political pluralism.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We have a responsibility to guarantee all human beings a life of decency and dignity, with equal opportunities for all peoples. We can do this. It requires enhanced cooperation and international solidarity through a multilateral approach guided by the United Nations. We must promote global social development, for we believe that excessive unshared wealth is a poor kind of wealth, a wealth with no social value and therefore contrary to the essence of our life. The values that give meaning to the wealth of the world are those of democracy.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“My country advocates a reform of the international financial system that takes account of the social dimension of development and does not jeopardize nations' capacity to pursue their national development objectives. Africa has understood full well that its role and place in the emerging world implies a renewed political approach of integration and unity of our continent. That is the backdrop to the creation of the African Union, which calls for a united Africa, strengthened by an integrated development of its full potential and a heightened awareness of its strategic advantages. Mali was the first country to ratify the Constitutive Act of the Union, which we are convinced is the springboard for the development of the continent, and for a responsible Africa, an Africa that counts. We must work together to eradicate poverty.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Complete cancellation of the debt is needed in the overall framework of finding a new development strategy. This new development strategy involves direct investment, unhampered access to markets through special, differential treatment, fair prices for our goods, and transfers of new technology, all of which are major factors in development. This means that financing development must remain on our agenda. My delegation welcomes the convening in 2001 of a high- level conference to deal with this issue at the intergovernmental level. The challenges of development cannot be taken up unless there is a stable international financial system.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The International Conference on War-affected Children, held in Winnipeg, which ended just a few days ago, was an opportunity for us all to strengthen our commitment to guarantee all children better health, school for all, both boys and girls, free from war, violence and famine. At the beginning of the third millennium one of the most urgent tasks facing humanity is to end the growing inequality between rich and poor countries. We must tackle the underlying causes of conflict — primarily their economic and social dimensions. In an international environment that is increasingly marked by globalization, continuing poverty is our most difficult challenge. The problem of the debt of the developing countries must remain our focus, because it is a major obstacle to their development.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The United Nations conference in 2001 on this issue must give the international community an opportunity to take appropriate steps to end the excessive destabilizing accumulation of such weapons. The conference must look at all aspects and be fully transparent. I must mention here the troubling issue of children affected by conflict, child soldiers, for the link between the proliferation of light weapons and the intolerable fate of these children is only too obvious. We have a great responsibility for them, and we must put an end to the destruction of so many hopes.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“With regard to nuclear non-proliferation, the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the signing and ratification of many other treaties on important aspects of disarmament, and the creation of nuclear-weapon- free zones, are all important contributions to confidence-building and nuclear disarmament. Mali is fully committed to work to halt the plague of the proliferation of light weapons. I appeal for greater coordinated support for regional efforts, including support for moratoriums, respect for embargoes on arms deliveries and the strengthening of controls.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“14 I pay tribute to the second Security Council summit held on 7 September, which dealt with the need to give the Council an effective role in the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly in Africa. The resolution that emerged from that summit deserves the support of us all, for it will certainly strengthen our capacity for prevention and crisis management. We must also continue work to free the world from the fear of weapons of mass destruction and face up to the threat of light weapons.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Peacekeeping operations cannot be a permanent solution to conflicts or an answer to the underlying causes. The international community must move from a culture of reaction to a culture of prevention based on a multidimensional approach, helping to save many human lives and making additional resources available for development. We must also emphasize that the effectiveness of the United Nations in peacekeeping depends largely on its capacity for prevention, crisis management and peace-building. Here I appeal to the international community to provide a stable and healthy financial base for the Organization's peacekeeping activities.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“As the report rightly emphasizes, United Nations intervention must be decided upon on the basis of uniform criteria, regardless of the region in which conflicts occur. The multidisciplinary nature of new United Nations peacekeeping missions demands clear and precise mandates. Mali welcomes efforts to strengthen cooperation with regional organizations in regard to maintaining peace, while respecting the competence of the Security Council. Recent events in Sierra Leone remind us of this and are a real challenge to us. Efforts by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and subregional organizations must be supported to establish regional capacity. This also applies to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which already has a peacekeeping force and will soon have an early warning system.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“What I say will be set against this backdrop. The maintenance of international peace and security must remain our priority. The Organization is increasingly faced with violent, deadly internal conflicts that have taken the lives of millions of civilians. It is therefore crucial to improve the system of prevention and strengthen our institution's capacity to organize and conduct operations effectively and successfully. Here I pay tribute to the report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, led by Lakhdar Brahimi. It is indeed a milestone in the process of trying to make the United Nations “truly credible as a force for peace” (A/55/305), so we must quickly ensure that it has positive results.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The Millennium Declaration demonstrates our maturity and our elevated sense of responsibility for the future of humanity. Now we must build this better world to which we all aspire. The peoples of the United Nations look to us. They are impatient. More than ever before they want to be actors determining their own future, particularly people who do not have very much, our people. They want to be actors and to benefit from globalization. That is how I see the historical and political meaning of this session, which must give effect to the dynamic now under way. Here, all together, we reaffirm the place and the role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security and in cooperation for development, which require that the United Nations become more legitimate by being more democratic and stronger.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“I also take this opportunity of extending once again to Secretary-General Kofi Annan our full appreciation and support for his constant efforts and resolve to find a better world in spite of the many complex challenges in the new millennium. His excellent report, “We the peoples: the role of the United Nations in the twenty-first century”, is evidence of this. Mali welcomes Tuvalu to the Assembly. Its admission to membership further strengthens the universality of the Organization. More than ever before, our world aspires to peace and security and sustainable human development. In this respect, our fifty-fifth session is unprecedentedly important both historically and politically. The exceptional opportunity offered us in the Millennium Summit, which has renewed our hope in humankind, must not be lost.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“At the outset I should like to congratulate the President most warmly on his election to preside over the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session. I take the opportunity to assure him of my delegation's full support as he carries out his difficult but uplifting task. I feel sure that with his experience and abilities as an able diplomat he will successfully guide our discussions. I should also like to extend my sincere and warm congratulations to his predecessor, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Namibia, for the ability and authority he demonstrated throughout the fifty-fourth session.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In order to do this it must prove that, despite the sometimes discouraging complexity of the issues involved and the often divergent national interests of Member States, the Organization is capable of working with determination, creativity and effectiveness for the common good of all. This is what we aspire to.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“My delegation is convinced of the need to democratize further our Organization through a comprehensive restructuring of its main organs, particularly the Security Council, the composition of which reflects the state of the world as it was 50 years ago and which does not in any way reflect the political, economic and social realities of today’s or tomorrow’s world. In addition, my delegation reaffirms Africa’s demand for an equitable division among the two categories of seats. We call upon Member States to reinforce the prestige, the authority, the effectiveness and the legitimacy of the Council. This session gives the international community a unique opportunity to demonstrate once again that the United Nations is an active, dynamic institution, capable of confronting the major concerns of the world.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The challenges that we will be facing demand that we adopt appropriate measures now so that the next century will enjoy more peace and more justice in a new partnership based on solidarity among all nations. If the United Nations is to remain the gathering place in which all countries can make their voices heard to find solutions to problems that confront them, it must not be marginalized. Therefore, it is necessary today more than ever to review the functioning of the system of the Organization in order to adapt it to present and future circumstances.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Security and stability are facing new threats, including the problem of drugs — which has become worse with globalization — organized crime, international terrorism, money-laundering and corruption. In the face of these threats and their adverse effects of them, the international community must step up its efforts to put in place the mechanisms necessary to eradicate them and cooperate better in order to combat them. In regard to international terrorism, Mali signed the African convention in Algiers, and we support the appeal of the OAU for the speedy conclusion of an international convention in order better to prevent terrorism and to combat it more effectively. Today, when mankind is preparing for a new millennium, it is essential to adapt the United Nations to the needs of our time.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“I wish to reaffirm here the unreserved support of Mali for the just struggle of the Palestinian people as well as for a comprehensive just and lasting solution based on the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the principle of land for peace. Turning now to the Lockerbie crisis, Mali, basing itself on the progress made in dealing with this question, appeals for the complete, immediate lifting of the sanctions that have been unjustly imposed on the fraternal people of the Libyan Arab Jamahirya, and I am pleased to renew to them the support and solidarity of the people of Mali. Likewise, we are still concerned at the humanitarian cost to civilians in other countries that have been unjustly targeted by sanctions.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Observance of human, political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights is an integral part of economic prosperity, social equity and the promotion of peace and security. In this context, a certain number of minimum standards are necessary in any democracy based on law and respect for human rights. I am referring to values that we all deem to be fundamental and the observance of which we are committed to: rule of law, respect for human rights, a system of democratic government and the conditions for necessary changes of government in a republican and democratic system. In a democracy, this is the minimum that we must all, each and every one of us, consolidate, build and develop. The situation in the Middle East remains a source of concern, despite the revival of the peace process.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Post-conflict programmes must include among their priorities the reintegration through education of child soldiers; and in a general way it must make education the heart of the strategy for building peace and sustainable development.” The decision to hold a special session of the General Assembly to follow-up to the World Summit for Children in 2001 coincides with the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We must take that opportunity to hasten our attainment of the objectives that we have set for ourselves with regard to children. We have a unique responsibility towards them. The least we can do on the eve of the new millennium is to provide all boys and girls better health, schools and protection from wars and famines. Mali is staunchly committed to democracy and human rights.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“President Konaré has said in this regard, “we have an absolute responsibility for the sad lot of child soldiers, which is not acceptable and cannot be borne; we must put an end to it by unambiguously condemning all those who use these children and who instil in them a culture of violence, thus sowing the seeds of the perpetuation of violence and conflicts ... We must work for a real culture of peace. The place of our children is in school; it is our responsibility to put an end to this heinous phenomenon by denouncing it and taking vigorous steps against it, including international criminal sanctions.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We pin great hopes on the decision of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to make the year 2000 a year of peace and security in Africa, and we very much hope that the international community will give strong support to our continent in its prevention and peacekeeping efforts. I cannot fail to mention here the close link between security and development and the consequent need to finance security as an integral part of development action. Nor can I conclude without mentioning the ghastly, appalling question of child soldiers.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Our constant quest for peace is reflected in our effective participation in peacekeeping operations and our total support for the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in Africa, to which the international community should give special attention. We ask the international community to mobilize quickly, in good time and to a greater extent to support the immediate implementation of hard-to-reach and always precarious peace agreements, as well as peace-building programmes. Mali also supports any measures to help create a climate allowing us to confront the causes of conflicts, which now relate primarily to underdevelopment, poor governance, deficiencies in democracy and bad cooperation policies.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)