YouSaid · the spoken record

de MARCO

lines on the record: 80
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1995-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“We pay a special tribute to all United Nations peace- keepers, and in particular those killed while on mission. Their dedication to duty, humanitarian concern and peace is honoured by the whole international community. Our deliberations this year have a particular significance. On them hinge the hopes of millions. As we take decisions, may we continue to be inspired by that commitment to the maintenance of international peace, the advancement of social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom for all peoples, which is the platform of action set forth in the Charter. Only then will we rightfully deserve to be regarded as trustees of the common concerns, common interests and common heritage which the peoples of the United Nations have charged to our care.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The peoples of the United Nations are sensitive to what we do and decide in this forum, not out of mere curiosity or an interest in international affairs, but because the decisions we take have a direct bearing on their personal lives. They did so in the past, when decolonization brought sovereignty to States and freedom to many millions. They do so at present, when the United Nations and its blue insignia represent the last beacon of hope for those terrorized by the brutality of war, famine or disease. Likewise, our decisions have a bearing on the lives of those who serve the Organization in the field, on the fate of the families of peace-keepers killed in United Nations operations and all those of whom we expect sacrifice to ensure the success of sanctions.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“To avoid fragmentation, dispersal or duplication of effort in areas which are our common heritage, our common concern and our common interest, we should explore the manner in which this principal organ of the United Nations can evolve that notion of trust, which was its major premise, to meet our present-day needs, an evolution that ensures that the Trusteeship Council holds in sacred trust the common heritage of humankind and acts as a guardian of the interests of future generations. During the past months we have all invested much time and energy in generating public awareness on the importance of the fiftieth anniversary.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Naturally we shall, on that occasion, expound 23 further our ideas on how the Trusteeship Council could evolve. There is one aspect which I consider it opportune to underline at this stage: the notion of the United Nations as a trustee. The notion that the Charter envisages is unique to the Trusteeship Council. It is a notion which, at the time, was immediately explicable and applicable to the Territories placed under its care. Today, in a world that has become a global community, we are aware that the different areas of common heritage protected by convention require coordination by a trustee.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Aware that the Trusteeship Council had nearly completed its responsibilities for the Trust Territories for which it was responsible, five years ago I proposed to the General Assembly a new, additional role — that of trustee of the different areas of common heritage. It is because of the uncertainty as to the future of the Council and the diverse opinions on this matter that we have requested the inclusion of an item on the agenda of the General Assembly at its fiftieth session entitled “Review of the role of the Trusteeship Council”. We are confident that when the item is discussed by the Assembly — first in plenary and later within the Sixth Committee — Member States will bring and share their views with that same openness and frankness that have characterized the discussion of the other two principal organs.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“I am personally honoured to have been the first President of the General Assembly to chair such a discussion within the Organization and to make a presidential motion on this matter approved by the Assembly which ensured continuity. This process was later to give fruit in the formation of the Working Groups which examined the revitalization of the General Assembly and are still studying the different options relative to the restructuring of the Security Council. In this ongoing process of review and evaluation, we have failed to take into account the future of the Trusteeship Council.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The United Nations Charter was forged at a time when the struggle against a totalitarian world vision was nearly complete. The horrors of war were still tangible, but so also was the fear of what could have been the fate of humankind had a totalitarian vision prevailed. The Charter established within its principal organs a delicate balance based on the equal rights of nations, large and small, and a pragmatic awareness of the particular role which certain States had in ensuring international peace and security. During the past five years we have assisted in an intense discussion among Member States on whether or not there exists the need to evolve, reform or restructure the principal organs of the Charter.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Over the past 12 months the international community has had the satisfaction of seeing a successful conclusion to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference, with the agreement on the indefinite extension of the non-proliferation regime. Malta is proud to have taken an active role in helping to bring about this agreement. We now look forward to an early agreement on the comprehensive ban on the testing of all nuclear weapons. We urge all countries, in particular the nuclear States, to take all possible measures to ensure a successful conclusion, during the coming 12 months, of the negotiations which have been taking place within the Conference on Disarmament since 1994. Anniversaries encourage us to drink from the original source for inspiration.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“At Cairo, Copenhagen and Beijing we worked together, conscious of our cultural differences, yet aware that diversity need not and must not impede our common endeavours if we are mindful of our common heritage, our common concern and our common interest. This respect for multicultural identities has been evident in the commitments undertaken by States and in the principles which inspire the platforms of action. It must remain ever-present in the mind of all United Nations officials entrusted with its implementation. One other area in which the United Nations has traditionally been very active is that of arms control and disarmament.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“More important, however, is the fact that a successful Mediterranean process could inspire patterns of cooperation in other areas characterized by multicultural diversity. Important as it is to create forums that make it easier for political leaders to enter into dialogue on and identify common strategies, the essential ingredient for long-term stability, is the building of peace in the minds of all women and men. The United Nations and its agencies have had a major role in the effort to identify common strategies for future achievements built on knowledge of and respect for the multicultural diversity of the world community. During the past 12 months three world conferences have touched on the most crucial aspects of human rights and freedoms, the dignity of the human person and the right of all peoples to development.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“May this process of dialogue inspire others who still resist this unique human tool of conflict resolution. In particular, we are deeply concerned that the division of Cyprus has so far remained impervious to the efforts of the international community, especially those of 22 the Secretary-General, to find a just and lasting peaceful solution. We predict that persistent efforts in this regard will eventually prevail. The Mediterranean process is of great significance to the fiftieth session of the General Assembly. The time that the United Nations has dedicated over the years to defusing and resolving issues which threaten peace in the region illustrates the weight which we attach to the spill-over potential of current crises.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It requires that we supplant instinctive mistrust with a spirit of mutual respect. The key protagonists in the Middle East crisis have demonstrated how political will and dialogue can overcome obstacles that for decades appeared insurmountable. We have supported the peace process and will continue to support it, and we welcome the official signing in Washington today of the agreements reached last Sunday in Taba, Egypt, by Chairman Arafat and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel, respectively. A just and long-lasting peace in the Middle East requires a solution that takes into account both the right of peoples to self-determination and the right of States to secure boundaries.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The generally positive reception which this notion has encountered encourages us to pursue its development further. Malta welcomes the holding of a Euro- Mediterranean Ministerial Conference at Barcelona in November to consider future economic and political relations as a milestone in the consolidation of regional cooperation. The Mediterranean’s wealth lies in its heritage of cultural, religious and social diversity. A forced mutation of this rich mosaic into uniformity would be destabilizing. Confidence-building and mutual understanding create the route that leads to security and cooperation. We must walk that arduous path. Within multicultural diversity we must discover the common values that help foster dialogue. This requires shedding preconceived notions. It requires strong political will.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“A parliamentary dimension to that association further enhances this joint action and ensures a wider spectrum of participation by the elected representatives in the identification and solution of problem areas of common concern. The measured success of the Stability Pact for Europe, first launched by France, has underlined the need for applying this notion to the Mediterranean region itself. With this in mind, at the concluding conference on the Stability Pact for Europe, Malta launched the concept of a stability pact for the Mediterranean based on the round- table system and not only bringing together parties to disputes but also making possible the discussion of issues which can serve to pre-empt the development of new threats to the security of peoples and States in the region.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The obstacles are enormous, but the perils that threaten to transform this historic middle-sea into a permanent lake of instability are even greater. Though aware of the difficulties in the way of its final implementation, we have supported the idea of a conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, and within this concept of stability in the Mediterranean we have ourselves proposed two distinct but correlated ideas, namely, that of a council of the Mediterranean and a stability pact for the Mediterranean. Both are based on the notion of dialogue in that region of turbulence. The setting up of a council of the Mediterranean through an association of Mediterranean States at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs would facilitate cooperation at the highest political level.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Equilibrium in the socio-political environment cannot be ensured through suppression or imposition. It requires the development of effective rapid-response mechanisms to tackle problem areas that generate instability. A multifaceted approach demonstrates an awareness of the manner in which different issues, if left unattended or unresolved, fester and spread to threaten society. Weaving such vital areas as human rights, fundamental freedoms and social justice into the broader network of comprehensive security is the foundation for the launching of stability pacts which give peoples and nations the reassurance of peace, dignity and freedom. In this respect Malta has been active in promoting security and cooperation in the Mediterranean.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“21 Comprehensive security is distinct from notions of defence. It is much wider in scope. It is more appropriate for treating issues not necessarily or immediately linked with a military threat or outbreak of conflict. Comprehensive regional security structures could be the most effective instruments for identifying, analysing and containing the original root causes of potential conflict. Such regional arrangements cannot operate in isolation. They must take into account the work of other international mechanisms that help signal developments which, in the short or long term, could destabilize regional or international security. Early-warning systems are an essential ingredient for success. To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war we must cultivate and nurture stability.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“On the other hand, the enlarging European Union, of which Malta expects to become full member in the near future, provides a unique and ever-deepening dimension of the process of regional cooperation. Malta has always seen membership of the European Union in terms that encompass not only economic but also much broader political dimensions. In this spirit, membership of the Union constitutes for us both the natural culmination of our significant economic and social development of recent years and — more important — the opportunity to participate in a collective endeavour that consolidates union within Europe and stability within the region, thereby providing a solid anchorage for those fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law and the observance of human rights to which we are deeply attached.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The abuse of these elements as a platform and weapon of war cannot but instil in us determination to consolidate structures that promote a permanent confidence-building dialogue. During the darkest hours of the cold war the CSCE learnt that confidence-building was the most effective guarantee in the promotion of a wider concept of security. That conviction remains as we seek to identify the supporting structures for a European security architecture. The broad elements of the emerging European security architecture are already in place. On one hand, the CSCE, now changed into the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), is transmuting the notion of confidence- and security-building from a remedial measure of the age of antagonism to a tool of partnership in the new international environment.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It is still too early to assess the impact and full potential of that development, particularly in view of the complex situations that already existed and continued to develop in the CSCE region. However, we are convinced that the future ability and effectiveness of the United Nations in containing, addressing and resolving situations of conflict is dependent on the creation and consolidation of such regional arrangements. The world has witnessed communities rediscover the oldest recipes for the generation of human misery. Most of us believed that tolerance was universally embraced, that it was strong enough to have imbued the manner in which we view elements that give nations and ethnic and religious groups their rightful identity.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The primary mandate of the United Nations is “To maintain international peace ..., and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace”. How can we ensure and implement this commission? Five years ago, in the General Assembly, I had the honour of calling on the United Nations to implement the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter with regard to regional arrangements. Later, at the Helsinki follow-up meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), Malta proposed that the CSCE declare itself a regional arrangement, in terms of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter — which it did.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The five years since the end of the cold war have witnessed a world community subjected to the most intense periods of instability. High expectations violently oscillated with the doldrums of despair; the exuberant relief of peoples ridding themselves of totalitarian rule alternated with the miserable anguish of occupation and “ethnic cleansing”; rays of hope were paralleled by violent explosions of civil strife; nuclear non-proliferation was countered by a devastating spread in the traffic in conventional weaponry; peace for some was matched by wanton slaughter for others. Never have mankind’s aspirations been so great, yet never have they been so formidably challenged. Such events cannot but impact on our concept of security.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“During its first 45 years the United Nations was held hostage to the prevailing cold war logic. Yet even during those years, when world peace was strapped to the terrifying balance of nuclear destructive potential, there were moments of great significance. The process of decolonization, even if there was suffering at times, remains a peak achievement in humankind’s history during the twentieth century. It reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. That process paved the way for the achievement of independence by peoples spread around the globe, who today are represented in this Hall as sovereign nations.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It would be a mistake to recall only those instances when our efforts were crowned with success. It would be equally erroneous if we were to judge the efficacy of the United Nations by highlighting only those complex instances when results failed to do justice to our collective will and endeavour. The determination to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war was what inspired nations and brought them together to form this Organization towards the end of the Second World War. We have managed to 20 avoid a global conflict. This is in itself a great achievement, one that inspires hope and confidence. Yet realistic restraint is particularly called for at this moment. Grief still echoes over the explosions of cannon fire aimed at villages and cities under siege.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Amara Essy, who skilfully led the forty-ninth session and continued to promote the revitalization of the General Assembly within a broader framework of strengthening the United Nations system. It is with great pleasure that we are convinced that, under your able leadership, Mr. President, Member States will continue to strive to ensure that this Assembly reflects with immediacy and with clarity that which the world community desires of the United Nations. The maintenance of international peace through the advancement of social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom for all was 50 years ago, and remains today, the onerous but vital mission entrusted to this Organization by the peoples of the United Nations. In looking back at the past 50 years, we must exercise realistic restraint.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you, Sir, on your election as President of the fiftieth session of the General Assembly. You bring to the Assembly the wealth of your personal, political and academic experience and the positive contribution which Portugal has given to the work of the Organization throughout its 40 years of membership. At the dawn of democracy in your country, yours was a determining contribution towards freedom based on fundamental human rights and a State built on the rule of law. Your commitment to these principles required no mean measure of moral and physical courage. May I join other speakers in saluting the Foreign Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The political will of the international community and the dedication of many people to this cause can turn dreams into reality. This is our agenda for peace. We can turn it into an agenda for peoples.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In this age when miracles are possible, when man has conquered space, let us dream of yet other miracles: that the 1.1 billion people living in extreme poverty will have their daily bread; that the slaughter of the innocents, the tens of thousands of children dying every day because of malnutrition and lack of adequate medicine, will stop; that the millions of refugees who wander from camp to camp, uprooted from their milieu, will return to their homes; that the billions and billions of dollars spent on weapons of destruction will be dedicated to hospital research to safeguard life; and that learning will be extended to all and that the dignity of work will be denied to none. These dreams of miracles can come true. They are not just dreams.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It was stimulating to hear President Clinton speak from this podium of dreaming "new dreams in this age when miracles seem possible". (A/48/PV.4) We all have our dreams for the future. Countries, large and small, rich and poor, dream of a future based on the betterment of peoples, international solidarity, mutual understanding and peace - peace in freedom. We who have the responsibility of guiding nations have to dream beyond the confines of our States and start genuinely believing in the brotherhood of man. We have to think that frontiers are not barriers, but signposts leading to a break-up of longstanding prejudices and great divides.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Forty-eighth session - 1 October l993 15 It is only natural that Malta attaches relevance to the Mediterranean region, a region suffering the turmoil of problems in its midst. The importance of having its environment safeguarded, the relevance of its sea routes and its strategic role in linking three continents are all factors with consequences which go far beyond the boundaries of the region. Aware of this, Malta has shown continued interest and involvement in promoting Mediterranean cooperation. We have supported the idea of a conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, and we have proposed the establishment of a council for the Mediterranean to be a forum for political, economic and social dialogue for the region.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“This definition is rooted in Malta’s political, social and economic realities, as they have been shaped by our historical and cultural heritage. Malta has also consistently played an active role in the other European institutions which, together with the European Community, have contributed to the formation of a modern European consciousness. We see our role in the Council of Europe and in the CSCE as an expression and reinforcement of our deepest commitment to the dignity and freedom of the individual in society. We attach equal importance to the value of democratic principles and parliamentary practices, respect for sovereignty and mutual understanding between nations, respect for legality at both national and international levels and the need for improved international cooperation relating to both security and development.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Yet the concept of trusteeship lies at the very core of the United Nations. We believe that the Trusteeship Council should hold in trust for humanity areas affecting common concerns and common heritage. It could have a monitoring function on the protection of the environment, extraterritorial zones, climate and - of paramount importance - the rights of future generations. These we hold in trust for humanity, and the Trusteeship Council can be the depositary. Malta has always seen its active involvement and participation at the regional level in Europe as an indispensable dimension of its role as a member of the international community. We have consistently defined our objective of becoming a member of the European Community as a logical and natural culmination of our European vocation.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The central capacity originally envisaged for the Economic and Social Council to bring together the underlying issues common to all the various facets of the development debate has remained equally elusive. This applies particularly with regard to entrenched disequilibrium, to the availability and allocation of financial resources, to technical assistance and to the far-reaching and often very sensitive aspects of sustainable development. Within the context of the concept of a secondgeneration United Nations we have made a proposal to activate further and give an added role to the Trusteeship Council. The Council has served the Organization in dealing with Territories in its trust, most of which are today valid Members of the United Nations. Its present diminished relevance is in fact a reflection of its own success.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“However, we believe that the establishment of an international criminal court with jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity, war crimes, international terrorism and global traffic in narcotics will provide an institutional concept for dealing with the international dimension of such offences. In examining the institutional structure of the United Nations, we are repeatedly struck by the continuing absence of a capacity within the system to deal globally and comprehensively with the multiple issues of development. Over the last five decades the Bretton Woods institutions have played a major role in the areas of money and finance. However, a more significant relationship must be built between the United Nations and these institutions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Articles 43 and 45 of the Charter, which have never yet been applied, must be examined to see to what extent they respond to today’s needs. The concept of human rights has to continue to prevail in our discussions. Malta supports the proposal of having a United Nations high commissioner for human rights. We consider the recent establishment of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia to be a pledge that heinous crimes against humanity will not remain unpunished.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We think that through similar arrangements at the regional levels, peace-keeping operations may be more efficiently and economically dealt with by countries which, because of their regional obligations, can assume further responsibilities. This trend has already been manifesting itself in recent years, and one can only hope that it will be further applied and consolidated. We believe that the concept of collective security depends on the evaluation of a number of factors. This must necessarily be coupled with an ever-increasing acceptance by nations that investment in collective security should in part be substituted for expenditure on national security. Within these parameters, it is essential that nations make forces available for peace-keeping purposes and ensure that they are adequately trained.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Account must be taken of regional and geographical considerations; of the need to create reasonable opportunities for all United Nations Members to take their turn in serving on it; and of considerations relating to the size and status of individual United Nations Members. 14 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session An aspect that requires redefining in its application is that of regional responsibility for peace-keeping under Chapter VIII of the Charter. At the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) Helsinki Follow-Up Meeting, Malta’s proposal that the CSCE declare itself the regional arrangement in the sense of Chapter VIII of the Charter was endorsed by the Helsinki Summit II.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It is important to link the application of sanctions to a compensatory system for those countries which, through no fault of their own, have to bear the burden and pay the price of sanctions. When deciding to deploy United Nations forces, the Council must also be conscious of its responsibility for the safety and well-being both of the forces it deploys and of the inhabitants of the areas concerned. In all its actions, the Council must be inspired by the fundamental peacemaking dimension of its mandate and by the Charter’s emphasis on the peaceful settlement of disputes. One of the important objectives of any enlargement of the Council’s membership must be to ensure balance and equity in its composition in terms of the present level of United Nations membership.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It is a blend of the idealistic and the pragmatic; it is at one and the same time a deliberative and a functional organ. The lifting of the cold war’s constraints has had a most visible and creative impact, releasing and galvanizing the Council’s peacemaking and peace-keeping roles. Efforts to enlarge the Council and expand its functions must come within the framework envisaged for the Council under the Charter. However, Malta shares with all other United Nations Members the legitimate expectation of transparency and objectivity as the hallmark of the Council’s work. The Council must remain conscious of the impact its decisions, especially the imposition of sanctions, could have on third parties.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Some progress has already been achieved in improving the efficient functioning of the General Assembly. The recent adoption of resolution 47/233 is the most recent and welcome development. We must of course constantly remind ourselves that there has to be a clear purpose behind moves towards efficiency. In the case of the General Assembly, the purpose lies essentially in enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of its deliberative and consensusbuilding role, thus adding to its capacity to follow up and implement its decisions. Mr. Fajardo Maldonado (Guatemala), Vice-President, took the Chair. The size, composition and methods of operation of the Security Council have in recent years become subjects of intensive debate and sometimes speculation. The Council is a unique tool in the search for peace and security.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Even today, the international community has yet to fully exploit the uniqueness and relevance of the General Assembly. This is the only global forum where all States are full and permanent Members; where all States, regardless of size, power or wealth, have an equal and sovereign say; where all issues, political, economic, social, cultural or humanitarian, can be considered in their entirety and their inter-relatedness; and where the process of decision-making is at the same time a process of consensus-building. The Assembly is not, and cannot be seen as, in a contest or competition with any other organ of the United Nations system. Its role is unique and pre-eminent, and its deliberations can only facilitate, enrich and, as appropriate, consolidate the decisions of other organs.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It will highlight the universal richness and diversity of an institution which now encompasses practically the whole of mankind; it will rightly bring to the fore its qualities of resilience and perseverance, which have been tested and demonstrated time and again over the half century; it will rightly recall the successes achieved over the years, in spite of often daunting difficulties; and it will salute the many individuals who have faithfully served, and continue to serve, a few with great visibility and prominence, most others quietly and silently, out of the limelight. The process of regeneration must apply both to institutions and to objectives. Central to the institutional aspect is the role of the General Assembly. As past President, I remain personally deeply involved and committed to the revitalization of this Assembly.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We agree that the lifting of economic sanctions at this stage can and should encourage and assist the people of South Africa in completing their journey on the difficult road to genuine freedom, dignity and justice. The approaching fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations provides an ideal opportunity for the international community to take an in-depth look at the means at its disposal in carrying out its endeavours for peace, security and prosperity. This anniversary must be seen as an act of regeneration.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The leaders of Israel and of the Palestinians have shown moral courage which will, when pursued, send a message of hope not only to the peoples of the region but to many others who have endured long conflicts and seek the road to peace. Forty-eighth session - 1 October l993 13 Developments in South Africa have also been encouraging. Important progress has been made in dismantling the condemned policy of apartheid and in bringing together the various communities. Malta is pleased to see that this progress has reached the stage at which South Africa can fully return to the fold of the international community as a respected member, mindful of its obligations both at home and abroad.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In conclusion I stated that the purpose of the visit - the first ever by a President of the Assembly - "was intended to pave the way for those who, conscious of their political responsibilities, can help in contributing towards a lasting peace, which will give to the peoples in the region man’s most coveted gift; peace in freedom." (ibid, para. 98) One must give credit, in this context, to the receptive understanding of the then Secretary of State James Baker, with whom I had discussed my visit shortly after my return. With consummate diplomacy, he activated the Madrid process, leading to a dialogue approach long absent between the parties.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I commented that "The Arab-lsraeli conflict has a dimension which goes far beyond the territory of Palestine. It involves not only the States in the region, the security concept of the Mediterranean, the relations with Europe and the super-Powers, but it also has an effect on the credibility of the United Nations and the political will behind its resolutions." (ibid, para. 89) At the time we tried to explain to both the Israelis and the Palestinians that living in peace with one’s neighbour brings that international environment, with secure and guaranteed frontiers, that all States in the region, including Israel, need so much to safeguard their future.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has dedicated so much energy and commitment to ensure the well-being of so many millions living under the threat of conflict. The signing of the declaration of principles by the Israelis and the Palestinians is a rainbow for the Middle East. It could well lead to a covenant of peace, breaking a circle of hatred and the legacy of death which has lasted for decades. "I believe that these two peoples, victims of the adversities of history, require the solidarity and involvement of all who can help in moulding events towards peace in the region." (A/45/1000, para. 95) This was one of the conclusions that I drew in reporting back to the Assembly, as its President, following my visit to the occupied territories in those bleak days of the first weeks of January 1991.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Events in former Yugoslavia reflect not only the legacies of a past still present, but also the difficult nature of bringing the parties to an agreement at the negotiating table when so much blood has been shed, so much suffering inflicted and crimes against man’s most cherished values committed. Operation "Restore Hope" in Somalia did not fully realize this hope. Indeed, a series of events and mishaps has contributed to the loss of life of valiant soldiers of the United Nations peace-keeping forces as well as the lives of many members of the civilian population. A message of incomprehension has taken over the city of Mogadishu. Developments in Cambodia, on the other hand, are a positive manifestation of the growing effectiveness of the United Nations in its peace-keeping role - an area to which the Secretary-General, Mr.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“However, the fundamentals of this Organization remain unaltered. Though situations may at times tempt us to re-invent the wheel, the requirements of the United Nations are evolutionary in concept, answering to the dynamism of world events, calling for our response to altered situations. This makes it impellent to move towards a second-generation United Nations which is strong in its resourcefulness and sensitive to the need for its own revitalization. A review of some of this year’s international events reflects the acceptance of the United Nations as a guarantor of peace, able not only to withstand problems as they arise, but also to absorb its own failures and mistakes.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I wish to take this 12 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session opportunity to express our appreciation to outgoing President Ganev for his contribution to the revitalization process of the General Assembly. Earlier this year President Ganev visited Malta on the occasion of the conference we sponsored jointly with the United Nations on the subject of Foreign Ministries in transition. Within this context, may I welcome those States that joined our Organization during the forty-seventh session, adding a further dimension to the global representation and responsibilities of the General Assembly. When the United Nations was founded 51 States were signatories to the Charter. Today membership of the United Nations has reached 184. Circumstances have changed, roles have changed and personalities have changed.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)