YouSaid · the spoken record

Gurirab

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS GURIRAB

lines on the record: 107
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1995-09-24
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

“On behalf of the Government and people of Namibia, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Government and friendly people of India on the heavy loss of life and destruction of property that resulted from the devastating earthquake. I trust that the international community will give them a full helping hand. Namibia welcomes all the newest Members of the Organization and assures them of its readiness to interact with them in the spirit of friendship and solidarity. The President of the Assembly hails from a friendly country, Guyana, which did so much to spearhead the struggle of the Namibian people for self-determination, liberation and democracy.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As the matter stands now, a joint transitional administration of a limited duration will be established over these territories on 1 November 1992. It will be known as the Joint Administrative Authority and headed by two Chief Executives, one Namibian and one South African. In the meantime, the two Governments will keep the negotiations going on the core issue of re-integration, in accordance with Security Council resolution 432 (1978). Finally, may I also inform the Assembly that Namibia became the one hundred and fifth member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) on 15 September 1992 and also acceded to the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and deposited the instruments to this effect with the designated authorities.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We urge the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, with both of which Namibia maintains excellent diplomatic and cooperative relations, to remain engaged in those critical discussions until an amicable and peaceful solution is found. Peace and reconciliation in Cambodia are yet to be realized. Inspired by the success of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia, we hope and pray that the ongoing United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) operation in that troubled country, too, will be crowned with huge success. In concluding my statement, I would be remiss if I did not give an update to the General Assembly and the Secretary-General on the outstanding dispute between Namibia and South Africa on Walvis Bay and the offshore islands.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The carnage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is but the latest instance of man's inhumanity to man. Whether it takes place under the banner of the notorious "ethnic cleansing" or as religious retribution, this ugly tragedy cannot be allowed to continue. In and around the Korean peninsula, we see steady movement by all the parties concerned in favour of dialogue, while de-emphasizing confrontation and military solutions. This is indeed good news for world peace and security. The reunification of Korea is no longer an unthinkable goal, as the North and the South of that divided nation earnestly continue to regularise high-level meetings and to encourage families to interact freely.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“If a face-to-face meeting between the President of Syria and the Prime Minister of Israel will give further impetus to the Middle East peace process and pave the way towards a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement, Namibia will strongly encourage such a historic undertaking within the framework of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). Iran and the United Arab Emirates two sisterly and friendly neighbours - ought not to allow the present misunderstandings to be magnified beyond the confines of their bilateral relations. Rather, they should resolve those misunderstandings through dialogue and by peaceful means. Happily, Kuwait is going ahead with the consolidation of peace and the reconstruction of the country. Namibia expresses its unswerving solidarity with its Kuwaiti friends, and extends best wishes to them.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Likewise, Namibia has always held the view that the political aspirations, and in particular the right to self-determination, of the Palestinian people, led by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), are at the core of the conflict in the Middle East. Here we include the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). The season of peace and dialogue has arrived. In the present circumstances, that is the only viable and sensible game in town.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“As regards the situation in Somalia, Namibia supports the request of President Abdou Diouf of the Republic of Senegal, current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), that an international conference on the human disaster in that African country be convened as a matter of the utmost urgency. As the United Nations Secretary-General himself has put it, "when it comes to death and misery, no one situation takes priority over another." (A/47/1, para. 116) On the situation in Western Sahara, Namibi supports the principle of self-determination for the Saharan people. To this end, we endorse the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative to remove all the obstacles and help resolve disputes about the criteria for eligibility to vote in the referendum, and thus to advance the process.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“They deserve our full and hearty congratulations on this momentous achievement, and we wish them further success as they work for the adoption of a new constitution and for the restoration of peace and order in their country. Many helpers and interlocutors made this achievement possible. They include the Italian hosts and, in particular, the United Nations. But I should like to commend Presidents Mugabe and Masire for their mediation efforts, which have paid off, to the great happiness of all Africans and their well-wishers around the world. There was one more key player: Mr. Pik Botha, the South African Foreign Minister, who was very active during the final, delicate hours, thereby securing the signing of the cease-fire agreement. Namibia is also pleased to acknowledge his contribution.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It also congratulates the leaders of all the political parties on believing in their people's political maturity and accepting the final verdict of the ballot-box. Namibia once again gives its assurance that it will continue to work closely with the Government of the day in that sisterly and friendly country, on the basis of friendship and for the benefit of both countries. The Government of President Chissano and RENAMO finally sat down together in Rome and signed a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting in Mozambique and rebuild the country. We congratulate both President Joaquim Chissano and Mr. Afonso Dhlakama on demonstrating political will and for giving the Mozambican people hope and confidence in their future.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In the meantime, we call upon Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi of the Inkatha Freedom Party to rejoin Comrade Nelson Mandela, President de Klerk and his other compatriots in the negotiations, with the establishment and consolidation of peace as the first prerequisite, and the adoption of a democratic constitution as the next step in the transition. For the first time in their history, our Angolan neighbours went to the polls on 29 and 30 September, in multiparty elections, to choose a party and candidates who must now install a new Government. It has not been easy, but the sheer will and determination of the voters and monitors alike have confounded many a cynic who believed that it would be impossible to hold free and fair elections in Angola. Namibia sees this is a great victory for the Angolan people,-and congratulates them.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“On the situation in South Africa, Namibia expresses support for and solidarity with the liberation movements and all the democratic forces inside that violence-torn neighbouring country. That is why we felt gratified, and participated in the debate, when the issue of the raging violence in South Africa was brought to the Security Council last July. Our emphasis in our statement was that, now that the United Nations had become engaged in the situation, its presence should be prolonged and the size of its team increased in order to monitor the violence and assist in the transition to a democratic, non-racial and united South Africa. For now, the situation remains explosive and dangerous and, therefore, warrants the continuation of international pressure on the South African Government.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The non-aligned Movement which represents the majority of humankind is an ideal forum for the developing countries within which to plan and act together on issues, including the important issues which preoccupy the United Nations. Allow me, once again, to cite Mwalimu's wise and telling words when he asserted thus: "We need a Movement of the South to speak for the rights of the countries of the South. At present what we have is the Non-Aligned Movement, and for United Nations negotiating purposes the Group of 77. Why then is there this talk of the Non-Aligned Movement no longer being needed?" This, I believe, remains the inescapable reality, whether the world was or is bipolar or unipolar.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Secondly, the triumphant West now believes that its success in the cold war gives it the right as well as the untrammeled power aggressively to promote its economic and political philosophy throughout the South. "Directly, and through international finance and trade institutions controlled by the wealthy States, and sometimes by embargoes or even political intervention, the North is therefore forcing developing countries of the South to conform to the patterns it designs. "At the same time protectionism of different kinds is increasing in the North, and our separate weakness is being used to ride roughshod over our opinions in international negotiations as well as in bilateral South-North discussions." How can one disagree with this poignant observation?”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Powerful and rich countries have lately tended to tamper with the sovereignty of weaker and poorer nations by using the power of the purse and by laying down some stringent conditions. This is being done supposedly to promote democracy, transparency in governance and public accountability a situation which leads to unilateral and often punitive actions just to prove a point. To us, it unfortunately constitutes an arbitrary and precipitous exercise of power and judgement. As Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the former Chairman of the South Commission, put it recently on another occasion: "these events have had two very important consequences for the South, and all the countries of it. First, they increase the urgency of developing countries building national self-reliance and increasing their economic co-operation in all fields.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Namibia, being one of the poorest countries in the South, must continue to raise its voice, in unison with other members of the non-aligned movement and the rest of the developing countries, in favour of the creation of a new and just international economic order. The call for global economic restructuring and reform is a legitimate demand, which should find its place among the top priorities on the agenda of this and other international forums. The ending of the cold war, as it is alleged, and the emergence of a so-called new world order, characterized in part by the rapprochement of the nuclear Powers, have engendered a peculiar, new culture of economic blackmail and sabotage.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Of course, we all remain hopeful that there will be early and abundant rains this year, and in all subsequent years, as this will, no doubt, mean saving lives. I thought I should also add here a point which, with each passing day, is becoming more and more clear to all Namibians. This has to do with finding, preserving, planning and distributing water resources, as being perhaps the single most precious primary commodity needed to keep us going and sustain life itself. The realization that the world is a global village and one market-place with interlocking financial institutions and credit arrangements underlines the internationalization of the world economy.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“A regional effort is under way which involves both the sharing of data and the coordinating of programmes and communication and transport facilities, coupled with the assistance received from the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world. In this connection, I should like to express a special word of commendation and appreciation to Sir Ketumile Masire, President of the Republic of Botswana, and to the secretariat of Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) for having taken timely and decisive steps with a view to sensitizing and mobilizing the international community as to the plight of all our peoples in the subregion and for co-sponsoring an important conference on the situation in Geneva early this year.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Crop production, livestock farming and our efforts to become food-sufficient and to achieve security have suffered severely. The Government established a National Committee on Drought to ensure, inter alia, better coordination and more efficient delivery of water and food to the most needy sections of the population and the sustenance of the livestock and game. An initial amount of 120 million rand was budgeted for these vital schemes. Furthermore, in addition to these national efforts, we have also made a special appeal to the international community and, generally speaking, the response has been prompt and helpful, for which Namibia is exceedingly grateful.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This would in turn mean further degrading the environment and endangering our very existence. It follows that what is required now is an undertaking to speed up implementation of Agenda 21, adopted in Rio. Its financing, it must be stressed, is not only to assist the developing countries to fight poverty and create jobs but equally to protect the ecosystem itself, which is very vital for the survival of humankind. In the same vein, let me add that Namibia, being a dry, semi-desert country, endorses the proposed convention on combating desertification and urges that the preparation of the international convention on desertification be undertaken during the current session. This brings me to the next topic, namely the current drought and acute situation of hunger and suffering which has afflicted the whole of the southern African subregion.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Plan elaborates on the Government's approach to our ecological challenges and the conscientious management of our natural resources and national assets. During the days of apartheid colonialism and foreign exploitation, both renewable and non-renewable resources that provided the very basis of the economy were subjected to ruthless plunder mainly for the benefit of foreigners. The Government has taken steps to put an end to this disastrous situation. Many in the developing world, Namibia foremost among them, depend on these resources for daily subsistence, and unless there are going to be alternatives for dealing with debilitating problems such as the debt burden, the foreign exchange dilemma and technological backwardness, many of us are, sad to say, bound to remain in a perpetual state of poverty and underdevelopment.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It states: "The State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting, inter alia, policies aimed at ... the maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia and utilization of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future; in particular, the Government shall provide measures against the dumping or recycling of foreign nuclear and toxic waste on Namibian territory." Moreover, it further charges the Ombudsman with the duty "to investigate complaints concerning the over-utilization of living natural resources, the irrational exploitation of non-renewable resources, the degradation and destruction of ecosystems and failure to protect the beauty and character of Namibia." Towards implementing environment-friendly policies which aim at sustainable development, the Government had, prior to the Rio Earth Summit, adopted a "Green Plan" for Namibia that outlines a comprehensive framework for development in accordance with sustainable environmental principles.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The world's contemporary challenges stemming from rapidly changing inter-State relations and social problems cannot be adequately dealt with by the United Nations without fundamental institutional and procedural reforms, including the revision of its Charter. It is in this context that Namibia welcomes all the new Members and wishes them well, while assuring them of our desire to promote close co-operation with all of them in a spirit of friendship and peaceful coexistence. The Rio Earth Summit made the matter abundantly clear: that global economic development and environmental protection go hand in hand. Development must be based on the sustainable utilization of the environment for the sake of this and all future generations. Namibia's Constitution contains a special provision on this crucial subject.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“To your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Shamir S. Shihabi of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I say many congratulations for a job well done, and I should like to wish him great success and happiness in his future endeavours. The long cherished ideal of the universality of our Organization has been further enhanced as more and more new nations have joined its membership. As this world becomes unavoidably interdependent and we collectively realize that the world is truly a global village, increasingly high expectations are now being placed in the United Nations. This is yet another reason why the Organization needs to be further revitalized and genuinely democratized.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“May I begin by stating that your own unanimous election and the critical role required of your office become not only propitious on the time-scale of the global agenda, as evidenced by the items for discussion during the current session of the Assembly, but equally by affording an ideal opportunity to you boldly and unambiguously to articulate the concerns and aspirations of the poor and developing Members of this Organization. It gives me great pleasure, therefore, on behalf of the Government and people of Namibia, to extend congratulations to you upon your brilliant election. I have no doubt in my mind that, given your diplomatic skills and vast practical experience, our deliberations will be crowned with success. Our two friendly countries enjoy excellent relations, and I extend best wishes to you.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The current Secretary-General himself lamented the fact that the "cold war had impaired the proper activation of this key provision of the Charter and also the fact that", to paraphrase him, rather than helping to resolve regional conflicts super-Powers actually managed to exacerbate them for their own selfish ends. Quite clearly, there is a linkage between the priority agendas of the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and of the Organization of African Unity, and this is, as a matter of fact, in keeping with the long-standing co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity. Mr. President, at this juncture I should like to address a few words to you personally.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“There is also a companion set of proposals in a package entitled "The Kampala Document", which is the product of a meeting held last year in Kampala, Uganda, devoted to guestions of security, stability, development and co-operation in Africa. These proposals, in our view, are serious and practical innovations by Africans themselves to confront major political and security crises as and when they occur in any part of Africa, and we wholeheartedly endorse them. The United Nations Charter itself devotes its chapter VIII to regional arrangements or agencies for dealing with issues such as peace, security and conflict, and encourages appropriate action which is consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“There ought to be a careful balance between the need for a renewed commitment to strengthen mechanisms for maintaining world peace and security, on the one hand, and a focus on the burning issues of poverty and other forms of socio-economic injustice, on the other. In this context, I should like to refer to a bold initiative taken by the Secretary-General of the OAU, Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim. I have in mind his proposed creation of an institutional mechanism, within the OAU General Secretariat, to deal promptly and effectively with conflict management, prevention and resolution in respect of the eruption of major crises, similar to those now prevailing in Somalia and Liberia, in any African State.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Many of the ideas and recommendations contained in it coincide with those emanating from bodies such as the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth and others, notably the Nordic States, which some time ago circulated their views on the United Nations reform process. With this in mind, Namibia is alive to a suggestion made from this rostrum, and endorsed by other delegations, that a special meeting of the Security Council be convened to consider the Secretary-General's proposals. If and when this suggestion is carried out and the proposed meeting takes place, we expect the Secretary-General and the members of the Security Council to take into consideration the contributions I have mentioned and to ensure that the intended consultations are inclusive and transparent.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The current state of world affairs hardly encourages confidence and optimism about our common future. One need not be a cynic to hold this view. My delegation is delighted to see our illustrious Secretary-General occupying a lofty place in the United Nations Organization at this critical time of a changing global environment. It was Africa's pride and Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali's own crowning personal achievement when he was unanimously elected last year as the first African Secretary-General of our Organization. We commend him for his courage and initiative and for the manner in which he has so ably carried out his daunting tasks. Namibia welcomes the Secretary-General's "Agenda for Peace".”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“His view, which is consistent with our own, was: "We must also ensure that the new world order to which the leaders of the industrialised countries often refer does not turn out to be but a new version of the same old patterns of domination of the strong over the weak and the rich over the poor." For the new world order to be universally acceptable, it should be genuine in its import and distinct from the old unjust and undemocratic order, and it should show a way forward towards greater human solidarity and cooperation. At this very moment, in South Africa, Somalia, Liberia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia and various parts of the former Soviet Union and elsewhere in the world millions of victims languish in perpetual tragedy. This carnage includes innocent and defenceless men, women and children who are killed by guns or hunger.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Simmering disputes, violent conflicts, aggression and foreign occupation, interference in the internal affairs of States, policies of hegemony and domination, ethnic strife, religious intolerance, new forms of racism and narrowly conceived nationalism are major and dangerous obstacles to harmonious coexistence among States and peoples and have even led to the disintegration of States and societies." Nuclear conflagration, thank heavens, has not occurred, but the world is far from being a peaceful and secure place. History does indeed repeat itself, at least some of the time, if not most of the time. Let me add to this assessment one more observation made in Jakarta by an eminent Asian leader.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Their vision of a peaceful and harmonious world and peoples' hopes for social advancement and economic prosperity have had a common source: total revulsion against war, destruction and darkness. Forty-seven years later, reflecting on the intervening years, we note that the world has witnessed more, not fewer, incidents of just and unjust wars, regional conflicts, racial and ethnic strife, acute forms of human suffering, environmental degradation and an unmitigated endangerment of life itself. Namibia joined other member States of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries at its Summit in Jakarta in stating that "the world today is far from being a peaceful, just and secure place.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This world order, the optimists proclaimed, would be governed by the rule of law, respect for human rights, universal exercise of the right to self-determination, recognition of the equality of all nations, large and small, and sharing among the members of the human family. On this basis it was fair to expect that the great achievements in science and technology could generously be utilized to assure the common survival of humanity, protection of the environment and the unfettered enjoyment of larger freedoms by every individual on this planet Earth. After all, the founding fathers themselves made a solemn pledge in the Charter "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind".”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations has spearheaded humanity's common yearning for a peaceful, just and prosperous world, a world freed at last from war, caprice, greed and other abominable human and social impulses. The brilliant and forward-looking authors of the Charter of the United Nations and the rest of us who are the beneficiaries of their collective wisdom and imagination have reason to hope for a firm consolidation of a democratic, stable and compassionate world order, which would make a clean break with the past, characterized by two unprecedented and most destructive world wars in this century.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We remember vividly when, in his first address to the United Nations Council for Namibia upon assuming office 10 years ago, he committed himself to work for the independence of Namibia. In keeping with that noble commitment, he worked tirelessly and with zeal for the achievement of that goal, which was finally realized at that momentous midnight hour on 21 March 1990 when he swore in the first President of the Republic of Namibia. Once again, we pay tribute to thousands of United Nations Transition Assistance Group workers who, through their selfless contributions became midwives in the birth of our nation. The good name of the Secretary-General will be inextricably linked to the birth of Namibia. We wish him thanks and many, many happy returns. And, as he knows, he is always welcome to his home - our country, Namibia.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We express our support for the need to restructure and democratise the United Nations system in order to make it more efficient in dealing with the challenges of today. It is, however, our view that such changes should not be confined to the Secretariat, but should be made in all its other principal organs, including the Security Council. We are aware of the various ideas that have so far been advanced on the subject. Nevertheless, it is necessary to make a careful analysis before we take any action. Finally, I would like to pay a deserved tribute and extend our deep gratitude to the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, for the most distinguished and courageous manner in which he has led the United Nations during his tenure of office.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“A successful resolution of this issue will not only consolidate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, but will also create enormous potential for economic integration and prosperity for southern Africa. New opportunities for trade, transport and communication could then be offered and improved not only throughout southern Africa, but also the entire continent and the whole world. Namibia is committed to the promotion and maintenance of the ecosystem, essential ecological processes and biological diversity and to the utilization of living natural resources on a sustainable basis. This principle is enshrined in our Constitution. It is in this context that we fully support the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, to be held In Brazil next year.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“A decision was also taken to appoint a Joint Technical Committee in order to make recommendations on the demarcation of the boundary between the two countries in the middle of the Orange River in accordance with the principles of international law. Let me emphasise that, in view of its historic role and responsibility, the Security Council should remain actively seized of the issue of Walvis Bay and the off-shore islands, and we therefore urge the members of the Council, especially the permanent members, to support our efforts towards a final resolution. I also call upon all Member States to ensure that South Africa negotiates in good faith and without undue delay.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“As is well known, we are negotiating with the South African Government the reintegration of Walvis Bay and the off-short island into the rent of Namibia, as envisaged in Security Council resolution 432 (1978). I would like to inform representatives that, further to the joint statement on the question of Malvis Bay and the offshore islands, issued in Windhoek on 17 May 1991, the Governments of the Republic of Namibia and of the Republic of South Africa have agreed in principle to set up a joint administration, as an interim arrangement, pending an eventual settlement of the aforementioned question. To this end, a decision was taken to establish a Joint Technical Committee to advise the two Governments on the functions of and structures for the joint administration.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to those governments and international organisations, as well as individuals, who have joined hands with us in our development efforts. Furthermore, we welcome the decision taken at the forty-fifth session of the General Assembly to give Namibia special consideration in support of its economic and social development. I wish to express the hope that, at this session, a positive decision will be taken on the granting of least developed country status to Namibia. An issue which remains singularly important to my Government is that of Walvis Bay and the off-shore Islands.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“This poverty is characterized by low incomes, widespread unemployment and underemployment, high levels of illiteracy, inadequate provision of water, sanitation, health care and education and poor housing. Unfortunately, available statistics on Namibia do not reflect this precarious economic situation, due to the extremely high - even by world standards - income levels of a minority of the population, which is a direct consequence of apartheid. Our current efforts to redress these imbalances are hampered by budgetary constraints and the lack of necessary resources. Against this background, we continue to appeal to the international community for assistance.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The process of national reconstruction and development upon which we have embarked, is aimed at improving the living conditions of our people who have long been victims of apartheid colonialism and brutal exploitation. Recently, an historic Land Reform Conference was held in Windhoek. Important recommendations were adopted and subsequently presented to the Government to provide the basis for forming its land policy. In keeping with our democratic Constitution, we have committed ourselves to ensuring justice for all the Namibian people. Human rights are the cornerstone of our Constitution, the basis of our policy of national reconciliation and the core of our foreign policy. At independence, Namibia inherited social and economic disparities. The majority of our people still live in poverty.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Our continent, the African continent, continues to be afflicted by acute economic problems which perpetuate stagnation, underdevelopment and poverty. In view of the continuing economic crisis in Africa and the regrettable failure of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development. 1986-1990 (UHPAAESO) to achieve its stated objectives, the international community, in partnership with Africa, should renew its efforts towards finding a workable mechanism to better assist Africa in its economic recovery and development. One and a half years have passed since Namibia gained independence. The first year was devoted to identifying priority areas for development, namely, agriculture and rural development, education and training, health care and housing.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“This position was recently emphasized by the OAU Summit of Heads of State and Government at Abuja, Nigeria, and the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the Hon-Aligned Countries at Accra, Ghana. The Namibian Government strongly believes that regional economic cooperation will facilitate rapid and sustainable economic growth and development. It is for this reason that, immediately after independence, Namibia joined a number of regional economic institutions - notably, the Southern African Coordination Conference and the African Development Bank. In this spirit, Namibia was one of the first signatories to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community which was signed by African Heads of State and Government at Abuja, Nigeria, in June 1991. It is the intention of Namibia to formalize membership in the Preferential Trade Area.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In this present unequal relationship, the countries of the South are subjected to unfavourable terms of trade, denied access to technology and financial resources which would help them enhance their economic development and prosperity. Under such circumstances, the developing countries continue to suffer from underdevelopment, poverty, economic stagnation and a devastating debt burden. We call upon the countries of the North to recognize our legitimate desire for an equitable international economic order. At the same time, we accept the challenge for developing countries to stand together in strengthening their economic cooperation and development efforts.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is encouraging that the various parties in Cambodia have reached a cease-fire agreement, thus creating conditions conducive to a settlement of the conflict in that country. In this connection, we welcome the establishment of the Supreme National Council as a legitimate interim authority in that country. Needless to say, international cooperation and solidarity are important in our world today, which is increasingly becoming a truly global village. It must be emphasized that this cooperation should be based on mutual respect and benefit among nations. Unfortunately, the present international economic trend shows the perpetuation of a pattern of restrictive economic relations among the industrialized countries to the detriment of the developing countries.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“However, the effects of that costly war in human lives and suffering, economic destruction and damage to the environment, will remain with us for a long time to come. The international community is therefore called upon to offer humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the victims of that tragic war. The efforts by the Government of Lebanon to secure control over its borders and to establish peace and national unity, deserve the general support of the international community. In the current favourable international atmosphere, the efforts of the Secretary-General to find a solution to the reunification and territorial integrity of Cyprus, will hopefully be fully realized. On Afghanistan, we hope that the current disposition towards dialogue will allow the Afghan people to find a peaceful solution to the continuing conflict.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The Government of Namibia reiterates its support for the convening of an international conference on the Middle East, with the participation of all parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), aimed at finding a durable solution and lasting peace in the region. It is in this context that we welcome the United States initiative to seek a formula acceptable to all the parties concerned for the convening of such a Conference. We believe that the decisions taken by the Palestine National Council, at its recent Conference in Algiers, will greatly contribute to this end. The Government and people of Namibia have welcomed the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. The end of the Gulf crisis brought relief to the international community.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Regrettably, these efforts are being undermined by RENAMO. We urge all those who can exert pressure on RENAMO to do so in order to bring RENAMO to the negotiating table. I wish to welcome the progress made thus far In Western Sahara. We hope the United Nations-supervised referendum will produce genuine results that will enable the Sahraoui people to realise their inalienable rights to self-determination and the achievement of national independence. The question of Palestine continues to be at the centre of the Middle East conflict. The Palestinian people are still denied the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination in their own homeland. They continue to suffer under occupation and oppression.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“My Government reiterates its wholehearted support for international efforts to find peaceful solutions to the remaining conflicts in different parts of the world. In this respect, we particularly welcome the cooperation among the major Powers in all fields, including the military and security fields and the reduction of nuclear weapons. Concerning the situation in the People's Republic of Angola, the Government of Namibia reaffirms its full support for the peace process currently under way in that neighbouring country. In this respect, we should like to pay a tribute to both parties and to encourage them to remain firm on the road to the consolidation of peace and the holding of free elections in 1992. In Mozambique, the Government is making genuine efforts to bring about peace and reconciliation in that country.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)