YouSaid · the spoken record

Rajkeswur Purryag

lines on the record

56

first

1997-09-24

most recent

1999-09-24

sittings or episodes

2

sources

un-general-debate

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1. “It is by the way in which this Organization addresses issues most relevant to its smallest members that the international community at large will judge its significance. The debate on the reform of the Security Council seems to have registered some notable movement recently. However, the distance separating the main positions remains quite daunting. We hope that the wide spectrum of views expressed so far on this subject will eventually converge and that general agreement will be reached. Such agreement should ensure that the composition of the reformed Council is based on greater representation, transparency and equitable geographical distribution, with the inclusion of developing countries as permanent members.”

   1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)

2. “However, such proposals should be subjected to the most careful scrutiny, because of all their 10 implications, particularly in respect to the smaller and more vulnerable Member States. The General Assembly, as the Secretary-General rightly points out, is the organ that “most fully embodies the universal and democratic character of the Organization.” (A/51/950, para. 40) While we support the long-standing need for focusing legislative debates and streamlining this Assembly’s agenda, we must ensure that this body does not end up being dominated by the concerns of the strong and powerful members only. Countries — big or small, like mine — should have equal possibilities of articulating any issue they consider important.”

   1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)

3. “The effectiveness of the Organization will certainly be enhanced if it operates as an orchestrated unit at Headquarters and at country level, rather than as a group of semi-autonomous players. Likewise, we welcome the Secretary-General’s idea of setting up a development account to be fed by savings from reductions in non-programme costs. We express the sincere hope that sufficient funds will be made available to produce a significant impact on development programme financing. We should ensure that this dividend for development does indeed benefit the developing world, unlike the much-trumpeted “peace dividend” of the post-cold-war era. We uphold the proposals aimed at enhancing the strategic direction which the General Assembly should provide.”

   1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)

4. “The report not only addresses the strengths and weaknesses of our Organization, but also contains specific proposals to enable it to face present and future challenges on a sound footing. We subscribe fully to his view that this reform exercise is a process which will have to be carried out over a continuous period of time, given all its complexity and scope. I wish to assure you, Mr. President, that my delegation will extend its fullest cooperation and will actively participate in the deliberations on the report. We also endorse the Secretary-General’s proposals for promoting greater synergy within the United Nations system. We agree that they will advance complementarity and coherence.”

   1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)

5. “The changes taking place throughout the world today present new challenges for the United Nations system and call for a new approach in finding appropriate solutions. It is my firm belief that the success of the United Nations cannot be contemplated without reform and renewal of the Organization. We agree that the United Nations stands at a crossroads today. Its continued role and relevance depend on its ability to adapt to the new world environment. We now have before us a number of proposals contained in the Secretary-General’s report designed to better equip the United Nations to address its tasks in the new era. I thank the Secretary-General for this in-depth and valuable exercise. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to a great son of Africa and to his sterling qualities of leadership.”

   1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)

6. “Mr. President, I have the distinct honour and privilege on behalf of my delegation to extend to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations upon your election as President of the fifty-second session of the General Assembly. Your election to this office is a fitting tribute to your personal qualities and recognition of the important role of your great nation in world affairs. We are confident that your wide experience and wisdom will ensure the success of our deliberations. You may rest assured of the fullest support and cooperation of my delegation. I would also like to thank Ambassador Razali Ismail for his remarkable contribution to the last session. We thank him for his strong leadership and his hands-on approach during the discussions of some of the most difficult and crucial issues concerning the future of our Organization.”

   1997-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 52 (1997)