YouSaid · the spoken record

VAN DEN BROEK

lines on the record: 306
first: 1983-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“The destructiveness of these weapons confronts us with unprecedented dilemmas and makes it highly imperative that every effort be made to reduce to a minimum the risk of these weapons being used. Surely, our principal objective remains the achievement of stability at the lowest possible level. This can be achieved only through negotiations. We therefore fully support the appeal made by the President of the United States in his address to the Assembly [4th meeting] regarding the need to broaden the East West dialogue, which in turn should lead to the resumption of negotiations. 19. An aspect of the present situation which is of particular concern to us in the Netherlands is the unacceptable superiority of the Soviet Union in land based intermediate range nuclear missiles.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“We, for our part, continue to look with admiration to the secretary General’s endeavours to try and bring about an end to this conflict. 17. In Central America, the Contadora Group of countries is developing a comprehensive scheme for the establishment of peace and stability in the region. I am heartened by the progress being achieved in finalizing the Contadora Act on Peace and Cooperation in Central America [see A/39/562] When called upon to do so, the United Nations should lend its fullest support to the efforts of the Contadora countries, thereby encouraging the search for regional solutions to regional problems. 18. From the very beginning, nuclear disarmament has figured prominently on the agenda of the General Assembly, and quite rightly so.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Shortly, the Security Council will have to consider the possibility of a revitalisation of the role of UNIFIL. Withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon will provide the Council with a unique opportunity to re-establish UNIFIL as the guarantor of peace and security in its area of operations. We feel that this opportunity should be exploited to the full. 16. As to the war between Iran and Iraq, we felt encouraged by the acceptance by both sides of United Nations observers to monitor the undertaking of those two countries to refrain from attacks on civilian population centres. The search for peace between Iran and Iraq would be greatly enhanced by the readiness of both parties to make the fullest possible use of the instruments of the United Nations.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“We, for our part, continue to favour the imposition of further selective mandatory sanctions against South Africa as long as the South African Government continues to persist in denying the majority of its citizens their fundamental rights. 14. The Netherlands has consistently advocated an extension of the existing mandatory arms embargo against South Africa. In this respect, I should like to remind the Assembly of our efforts to arrive at a ban on arms imports from South Africa. 15. As far as the problems besetting the Middle East are concerned, my colleague from Ireland has set out the position of the 10 member States of the European Community in detail, but I should like to add a word on the United Nations peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“This cannot alter the fact that the Security Council continues to bear primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security in the world, especially in the case of serious conflicts. It should be self-evident that those who fail to abide by Security Council resolutions contribute by their action to the erosion of the authority of the Council. The gravity of this practice would seem to warrant particular attention's being paid to it. 13. The situation in southern Africa remains on the agenda of the Security Council. South Africa's refusal to implement Council resolution 435 (1978), thereby delaying Namibia's independence, is a clear violation of the commitment of Member States to give effect to Council resolutions.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The best hope of restoring the Council's role as an effective instrument of international diplomacy lies in the readiness of Member States to make use extensively, but also constructively, of the procedures set forth in the Charter of the United Nations. 12. However, the Security Council is frequently bypassed because of a profound distrust of the objectivity of the United Nations. The Council cannot carry out its mandate without the full political support of the major Powers in particular. This requires the serious engagement of those Powers in the work of the Council. United Nations mediation cannot and should not be the panacea in each and every international conflict. Bilateral and regional arrangements have an important role to play m the search for peaceful solutions to problems between nations.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“A thoughtful observer once remarked that "to be elected to the Council is a privilege, and the general corpus of the United Nations would expect a country elected to [the] Council for two years to be fully and continuously worthy of this privilege". I hope that the Netherlands passed the test successfully. 11. Prompted by the Secretary General’s 1982 report on the work of the Organization,' the Security Council has made an effort to reflect upon ways and means to enhance its effectiveness. Much to our regret, however, the Council has been unable to formulate any truly meaningful proposals. Needless to say, we, for our part, shall continue to look for opportunities to attain acceptance of at least some of the valuable suggestions contained in the Secretary General's report.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“If Members continue to lay the axe to the tree, the tree will die. Hence my plea to reflect carefully upon the consequences of our actions. Honestly, I fear that in that case the very future of the United Nations is at stake. 9. In this context, I should like to express regret that the Republic of Korea has not yet been admitted as a full Member. Membership should be open also to North Korea if and when it desires it. Furthermore, we hope that the time is not far off when North Korea and South Korea will be able to sit down at the conference table so as to solve their outstanding differences. 10. At the end of this year, our term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council will come to a close.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“The United Nations has an important role to play in the field of international cooperation, and its malfunctioning should be a point of major concern to the world Organization. It would seem to us that a careful examination of what went wrong and of what can be done to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations could have a salutary effect on its future functioning. I am convinced that the United Nations continues to be indispensable and that it can only emerge from a process of self-examination a stronger and healthier organization. 8. A basic prerequisite for the proper functioning of a world body is respect for the principle of universality. Unfortunately, time and again we are confronted with proposals in various organs of the United Nations which run counter to that principle.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Over the years, this has led to a gradual erosion of confidence in the Organization, which, in tum, has resulted in a retreat from internationalism and multilateralism—a process to which the Secretary General rightly draws our attention in his report. 7. Indeed, there is growing concern about the effectiveness of the United Nations as a framework for international cooperation, even to the extent that some see only diminishing returns in the search for solutions to the many problems we are facing today. The problem can undoubtedly be attributed in part to factors beyond the control of the United Nations, such as, for instance, the state of bilateral relations between States. The argument cannot stop there, however.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I recall decolonization, peacekeeping operations, and human rights and, last but not least, the large number of occasions on which the Security Council has been able to deal effectively with complicated conflict situations. Furthermore, there is the valuable work of the specialized agencies in the fields of economic development and humanitarian assistance. 6. However, criticism of the United Nations is possibly stronger and more widespread today than at any moment since 1945. I need not enumerate the shortcomings of the Organization, nor would it be very fruitful to try to draw up a catalogue of our failures and disappointments. Most of us are only too familiar with these problems. But what seems to be lacking, in our opinion, is a sense of purpose, the political will to overcome our difficulties by common endeavour.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“In the words of the Charter, "We the peoples of the United Nations" resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish our common aims and we therefore agreed to establish this international Organization. Its fundamental objectives are to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and to promote social progress and better standards of life m larger freedom. The fortieth anniversary of the United Nations should be the occasion for a critical analysis of what we have been able to do in pursuit of those objectives. 5. Having said that, I would not wish to convey the impression that there is little or nothing to be grateful for. In his report on the work of the Organization the Secretary General rightly points to the credit side of the balance sheet.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“There is therefore no need for me to go over all the ground covered by him in his statement. Let me therefore concentrate on the functioning and future of the Organization to which we continue to attach so much importance. In this context, I should like to make a few remarks on international issues about which we are particularly concerned. 4. The theme for the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations is apparently going to be "United Nations for a better world". Would it not be more appropriate to say "We, the United Nations, for a better world"? Surely it is up to us, its Members, to be truly united in our efforts to shape a better world. After all, the Organization is no more than a tool in our hands and the United Nations can hope to be effective only to the extent that its Members allow it to be so.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“At the outset, allow me to say how happy we are to note that the representative of a nation with which the Netherlands maintains very cordial relations occupies the presidency at this thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. We are confident that the wisdom and considerable experience of the United Nations that made him such an effective President of the Economic and Social Council in 1981 will enable Mr. Lusaka to guide the representatives of the 159 nations represented in this Hall painlessly, if not effortlessly, through the months that lie ahead. 2. Allow me also to extend my country's warmest congratulations to the new Member of the United Nations, Brunei Darussalam. 3. Yesterday, my colleague from Ireland, Mr. Barry, addressed the Assembly on behalf of the European Community and its member States.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“I have reached the end of my statement. Little of what I have said in my commentary on world events was particularly cheerful, but it would be wrong for me to finish on a gloomy note. We are here at the United Nations, at the centre of an organization which could perform miracles if given the opportunity. It was designed to perform something like a miracle: to save us from war, to realize human rights, to help establish justice and social progress. 90. The opportunity is there for us to take. It is completely up to us to make full use of the Organization, which we have set up or joined of our own free will. The Netherlands has not yet lost hope that this will come about.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Before we are overtaken by rapid technological developments, especially in the field of anti-satellite weapons, we must agree to forego such a dangerous course. The Netherlands delegation will be active in promoting a solution along these lines. 88. The issue of chemical weapons was one of the main and most extensively debated items on the agenda of the Committee on Disarmament. One would have hoped that this year, after so many years, this issue would have matured sufficiently to allow for practical and fruitful negotiations. Substantial progress has been made, and at least from a technical point of view the analysis of the problems involved seems to have been exhausted. We should exhort the Committee to engage in a final drive to conclude an agreement which would free the world from the spectre of chemical warfare. 89.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We therefore co-sponsored the request to include on the agenda of this session of the Assembly the question of an early and adequate preparation for the third review conference of the parties to the Treaty. A failure such as that of the last review conference should at all costs be prevented. An agreement between the nuclear Powers on nuclear security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States would constitute a positive contribution to these efforts. 87. The application of space technology evokes admiration of man's ingenuity but also fear of his perennial temptation to turn his capacities to evil ends. It appears that we still have the opportunity to prevent an arms race in outer space which, if it took place, would add a new dimension to the existing world-wide arms build-up.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is for this reason that I warmly welcome the convening of the Conference on Confidence- and Security-building Measures and Disarmament in Europe, to be held at Stockholm. 86. Nuclear disarmament and the prevention of nuclear war, with all that this implies, is one of the most challenging issues confronting us all. Here at the United Nations we should not relax our efforts to achieve eventually a comprehensive prohibition of nuclear testing as an effective collateral measure. Such a prohibition would constitute an important step forward on the road to nuclear disarmament by diminishing the dangers of both horizontal and vertical proliferation. The Netherlands continues to attach great importance to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear Weapons.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Government and people of the Netherlands are anxiously waiting for a break-through in the negotiations at Geneva which would eliminate the threat of existing intermediate-range systems and thereby make it possible to forgo deployment on the Western side. Should this goal prove unattainable in one step, we should follow the road of redressing the existing imbalance at the lowest possible level. 85. The quantitative as well as the qualitative growth of the arms build-up makes it an increasingly complex matter. Arms control negotiations aimed at reductions are no longer sufficient by themselves. It is generally accepted nowadays that they must be accompanied by confidence-building measures. These measures can create more openness about military activities and thereby create a climate more conducive to arms control in general.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The same may still be said of the crucially important negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union on the question of reducing their nuclear forces to lower and safer levels and achieving a more stable balance. The present state of East-West relations, which a number of events have put under a heavy strain, should not lead to a lessening of efforts to bring these negotiations to substantial results. On the contrary, in a period of increasing tensions the rationale for seeking nuclear arms reductions should be even more apparent. Especially in the Held of intermediate-range nuclear forces, the coming months will be of critical importance. In this respect, I welcome and endorse the proposals made public by President Reagan in his speech at the 5th meeting of this session. 84.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This applies particularly to nuclear war, which would spell disaster for all, but we have only to look at countries like Lebanon or Afghanistan, for instance, to realize what destruction so-called conventional weapons can produce. 82. In view of this we must feel bound to agree on curtailing the armaments race and to adopt incisive measures in the field of arms control and disarmament. At stake is the basic question whether man is to be master or slave of the forces of his own creation. It is therefore painful to note that although United Nations efforts in the Held of disarmament have increased in recent years, they seem to have yielded diminishing results. The report of the Committee on Disarmament, which forms the basis of our discussions at this session, speaks of strenuous efforts but not of concrete agreement. 83.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We hope that that Conference will deepen our knowledge of the relationships between population and economic and social development and lead to new operational activities to solve the pressing problems of population growth, poverty and environmental degradation. 81. All our efforts to solve political problems or to improve the international economic order will be in vain if we do not succeed in our primary task of maintaining international peace and security. Wherever war and armed conflict occur, the need to fight for survival tends to become the single overriding issue. Moreover, it is a tragic truth that because of the destructive power of modem weaponry the means of war threaten to destroy the very values they are meant to defend.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Over the years we have consistently called for the balanced financial participation of all donor countries in the voluntary funds of the United Nations. We firmly believe that the development system of the United Nations can function satisfactorily only if the financial burden is more evenly spread over the donor countries. The situation whereby only a few countries, among them my own, carry a disproportionate burden cannot continue. In 1984 another important international element will be added to the decision-making on multilateral development co-operation, that is, the International Conference on Population to be held next August at Mexico City.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“There continues to be a great need for international support for and co-operation with those weaker countries whose economies are vulnerable and which for their development cannot do without considerable assistance. In particular we feel it is imperative that developed countries take the required measures to support the poorest, in order that they too may benefit from the economic recovery. 79. The Netherlands Government, for its part, is committed to maintaining the present level of its official development assistance, which amounts to well over 1 per cent of its gross national product. Allow me to appeal to all rich nations equally not to falter in their efforts concerning development co-operation. 80.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In recent reports on North-South relations, the Brandt Commission and the Commonwealth experts have made interesting suggestions on ways to improve the handling of the dialogue. I think we owe it to them and to ourselves to revitalize the negotiating mechanisms in order to arrive at practical solutions to outstanding problems. 78. Looking at the general situation of the world economy we discern some hopeful signs of economic recovery. However, there is no assurance of an early overall recovery. It is evident that there is a need for action both at the national and at the international level to promote sustained economic recovery. A concerted approach is required among nations whose economies are interdependent, so as to avoid our making short-term gains at each other's expense.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The disappointing results of the sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which took place at a crucial moment, given the situation of the world economy, have shown that the international community is deeply divided over the question of how to solve the present economic crisis and in particular on the role that Governments should play in overcoming this crisis. At the same time that session showed broad agreement on the analysis of the present situation. There seemed to be agreement on the interdependence of our world, on the internal diversity within both the North and the South and on the necessity to find common solutions to these various problems. 77. The global economic dialogue is taking place at various levels and in different forums.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In many parts of the world the full enjoyment of human rights is undercut by the state of development and by sheer poverty. These problems will figure high in the economic section of the agenda of this-session. The President of the European Economic Community has dealt extensively, also on our behalf, with the issues involved in international economic co-operation and North-South relations. 76. The economic issues before this session will once again centre on the ability of the international community to make a common assessment of the present state of the world economy and to make the necessary recommendations for concrete and immediate action.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Wako put the number of known victims of such executions at no less than 2 million in the last 15 years: men and women, young and old, who were perceived in one way or another to be in opposition to their Government. Since then reports of summary or arbitrary executions and of disappearances, torture and other violations of the sanctity of the human person continue to be received. We are reminded daily of the human suffering taking place in various parts of Central America, where the names of some countries have acquired an unfortunate connotation of pain and fear. 74. From Iran, top, we hear of the maltreatment and execution of members of the Baha'i faith, in defiance of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. 75.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Speaking of Chile, I want to add that the democratic forces in that country have my Government's full support and that I feel they deserve the support of other countries as well. It is heartening to realize that no amount of official repression has been able to eradicate the movement for the restoration of democracy. But Chile is not the only country where such a movement has proved to be stronger than the regime it has to resist. 73. The full horror of the scale on which the fundamental right to life itself is violated became painfully clear in the report on summary or arbitrary executions, including extra-legal executions, submitted to the Commission by Mr. Amos Wako. Conservative estimates cited by Mr.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is therefore distressing to see the continuing unwillingness of some Member States to extend their co-operation to the special rapporteurs appointed by the Commission to study the human rights situation in those States. 71. Although the lifting of martial law offered some hope for a more forthcoming policy, the Government of Poland, which in the past has supported calls for cooperation by other Governments, has shown no sign so far of heeding the legitimate concern of the international community over the continued violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Polish people. 72. It is equally to be hoped that the Government of Chile will co-operate with the Commission's new special rapporteur.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“My Government was encouraged by the Assembly's adoption last year of resolution 37/200, affirming that "a primary aim of international co-operation in the field of human rights is a life of freedom and dignity for each human being, that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interrelated and that the promotion of one category of rights should never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the others". By adopting this resolution the Assembly has committed itself to an even-handed and strong policy in the Field of human rights. 70. They are being violated in ail parts of the world. The resolution I referred to urges all States to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights in its study of the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In view of South Africa's efforts to build up its own capacity in arms manufacturing, we should agree to expand the existing embargo by a ban on arms imports from South Africa, since such purchases enhance the economic viability of the South African arms industry and strengthen that country's autarky in the armaments field. 69. This year the Assembly will celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration was the foundation for the International Bill of Human Rights. This comprehensive body of human lights norms must be considered one of the greatest achievements of the United Nations and, together with the Charter, as the basis for United Nations involvement with human rights.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“I believe the best thing would now be for us to concentrate our immediate efforts on one measure, aimed at strengthening the existing United Nations arms embargo against South Africa. We feel it is of the utmost importance to deny this country the means to pursue its policies by force. Its constant pattern of armed intervention in neighbouring countries and repression of internal opposition forces obliges us to deprive it of any assistance in the field of the manufacture or acquisition of arms. The Security Council, in its resolution 418 (1977), has already prohibited the sale or transfer of arms to South Africa.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“As far as sanctions against South Africa are concerned, the world community simply cannot indulge South Africa's forever defying the principles of interstate and human behaviors. apartheid is one of the most abhorrent examples of racial discrimination and of institutionalized denial of human rights. For that reason the Netherlands has associated itself with numerous Assembly resolutions calling for sanctions against South Africa, provided that these sanctions are selective and compulsory, both being basic requirements for any effective impact on South Africa's policies. For some years my country's delegation has sponsored the Assembly's resolutions on investments in South Africa. Moreover, we have supported the call for an oil embargo, also on the basis of a mandatory decision by the Security Council. 68.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“A peaceful solution to the Namibian problem is also, as the Secretary- General observed, the key to a peaceful future for all countries of the region. I would urgently call on all concerned to redouble their efforts and to remove as quickly as possible the last obstacles to the implementation of the settlement plan. 66. As a first and urgent step to get things moving the Assembly, in my modest opinion, should call on South Africa to stop its military incursions into Angola and to agree to a cease-fire. This seems a first prerequisite, as the Secretary-General rightly advocated, "to reduce the tensions and contentious issues and to put an end to conflict in the area as a whole" After so many years of frustration an initiative of this kind may not seem good enough, but it could serve to put matters on the right track. 67.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The situation in Namibia seems to remain inextricable, even though the mission of the Secretary-General, in pursuance of Security Council resolution 532 (1983), was as successful as could have been under the circumstances. Virtually all outstanding issues with regard to the United Nations plan for Namibia were resolved. However, it is still impossible to launch the plan because South Africa sticks to its position regarding the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola as a precondition for the implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). 65. In my view this state of affairs is very discouraging and unfair to the Namibian people, whose independence is further delayed by extraneous factors.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Kingdom of the Netherlands follows with great interest the efforts towards closer economic and political co-operation in that part of the world. While the Netherlands welcomes trends toward democracy, we deplore the continuing serious disrespect for human and civil rights, which remains, sorry to say, a widespread phenomenon in the area. I have to make special mention of our relations with Suriname, which have been put under so heavy a strain by the appalling events of December 1982 in Paramaribo. We sincerely hope that the people of Suriname will soon be allowed to revert to democratic values and that respect for human rights will be restored. 64.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Neither is there any justification to support efforts to destabilize existing governments through overt or covert operations in co-operation with internal resistance movements. We heartily welcome and support the efforts of the Contadora Group to find solutions to the problems besetting their region. The Group's Cancun Declaration on Peace in Central America, issued on 17 July 1983 contains many constructive proposals, .of which I would like to mention the call for an end to the arms build-up in the region and for evolution and progress in the field of economic development and social justice, closely linked to the creation or strengthening of democratic political institutions. 63. Our relations with Latin America and the Caribbean region remain particularly important to us.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“For many reasons the situation in Central America is a matter of serious concern. The States in this region are going through a painful period of internal strife and instability, caused by social inequality and economic underdevelopment and aggravated by foreign interference. They face the possibility of wider armed conflict. Discussing this situation in the Security Council, the Netherlands representative stated that the problems of the region require a negotiated solution based on the principles of non-interference, non-aggression, sovereign equality and self-determination. The nations of Central America should be free to choose their own form of government, and there is no justification to impose revolutions on these peoples.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Assembly should once again press for a political solution which would enable Afghanistan and Kampuchea to regain their full independence. We owe it to the suffering people of both countries to show that our support for their rights remains as strong as ever. With reference to the situation in Kampuchea, I should like to commend the countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations for their endeavours to promote a political solution. 61. Korea remains an area of persistent tensions. We are convinced of the need for a speedy resumption of the dialogue between North and South in order to settle the Korean question by peaceful means. The Republic of Korea should be allowed to become a full Member of the United Nations, and so should North Korea, if and when it so desires. 62.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This settlement policy in our judgment is not a matter of the right of individual people to live where they want, but of prejudging the question of how and where the Israeli and the Palestinian people will live next to each other in the future. For this reason we view this settlements policy as a major and growing obstacle to peace. 60. Afghanistan and Kampuchea share the fate of being victims of foreign invasion and occupation. Both peoples are denied the full exercise of their right to self-determination and self-government. Neighbouring countries have to provide shelter to huge numbers of refugees. The Soviet Union and Viet Nam, who pride themselves on being progressive and peace-loving, hold in their grip two Members of the Organization by force.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Nor will there be peace as long as the Palestinian people do not recognize the right of Israel and its people to exist within secure and recognized borders. 58. Peace in the Middle East will not prevail unless the security and legitimate interests of all States and peoples of the region are taken into account. Their rights must be mutually recognized by the parties themselves. The threat or use of force must be renounced by all. 59. The Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are in our view an extremely worrying factor. As a first step Israel should refrain from expanding these settlements, which my Government considers to be illegal, and they should refrain from creating new ones.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In view of this possibility, ways and means are being considered for the Netherlands withdrawal not be complete, so that our presence can be easily expanded again at a later date, because the Netherlands interest in United Nations peacekeeping remains undiminished. 57. The Palestinian problem is very much at the centre of the problems in the Middle East. Together with our European partners we have stated many times that the Palestinian people must be enabled to exercise its legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination, with all that this implies. It is certain that there will be no peace in the Middle East without the Palestinians' finding their rightful place among the other peoples of the region.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Organization has been especially involved in the Lebanese situation by the deployment of a United Nations peace-keeping force in the southern part of the country. It is a sorry state of affairs that for more than a year now UNIFIL has been held hostage to a situation beyond its control. This frustrating experience cannot, in our view, go on indefinitely, and the Netherlands Government has consequently decided to terminate its participation in UNIFIL in its present form. In due course, the Security Council, acting in agreement with the Government of Lebanon, may devise a more meaningful role for UNIFIL than the Force is able to fulfil nowadays.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The problems of the Middle East will again be among the Assembly's most urgent and most intractable. The use of force, originating both from within and without, is the daily predicament of the people of Lebanon. We welcome the cease-fire, and I congratulate those who brought it about. We sincerely hope it will allow the parties in the conflict to engage in a dialogue soon. The Government of Lebanon deserves support in its efforts to realize a comprehensive national reconciliation and to uphold the country's unity and independence. This requires the complete and prompt withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanese territory, except for those whose presence may be requested by the legitimate Government. United Nations observers might play a useful role in supervising the cease-fire. 56.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Next to being scrupulous about the way in which we arrive at decisions, we should be wise to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to improve the efficiency of the Organization itself. The times when real growth in programme budgets could realistically be envisaged are over, I am afraid. Both we and the Secretariat will have to set priorities and adhere to them, because both we and they have to do more with the same amount of money, of even less. 54. I welcome the establishment by the Secretary- General of a high level advisory group on administrative reform with the task of identifying issues and areas in which modification or reform could be effected. I hope this group will not hesitate to come forward with constructive proposals. 55.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This conference adopted a declaration and a programme of action by official consensus. The contents of these documents were highly predictable, not only because their drafts ran along lines to be expected, but above all because no real negotiations on these texts were allowed. When subsequently a number of countries abstained from full participation in the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held at Geneva from 29 August to 7 September 1983, this certainly was due, at least in part, to the precedent set by the Namibia conference. To sum up: if we really want the United Nations to be a centre for harmonizing not only our words but also, and foremost, our deeds and actions, then I think we should apply the consensus procedure as judiciously as we possibly can. 53.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Of course, no result at all is likely to come of efforts to arrive at a consensus where there is basic disagreement, let alone open conflict; for instance, a complaint of a victim of aggression against its aggressor. The work of the Security Council gives examples of both situations. 51. A more common malpractice, not unknown to the Assembly either, occurs when pressure groups produce draft resolutions on a "take it or leave it" basis, intended to extract formal support from an unwilling minority. Decisions taken on this basis in my view can only be a flimsy victory for their sponsors, because such superficial unanimity lacks the force of a commonly shared political will and the decisions reached tend to remain a dead letter. 52. To give an example of what I have in mind I refer to the Paris conference on Namibia.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“A strong argument in favour of the consensus procedure relates to the democratic necessity of taking legitimate minority views into consideration instead of simply overruling them. For all these reasons my country favours the consensus procedure, consensus being understood in its true meaning of a view or feeling basically shared by all. Only in the case of such a real consensus will it be possible to move from words to action. 50. Sometimes, however, the effectiveness of the consensus approach is considerably reduced. This happens when consensus is used for covering up instead of reconciling differing views. Then the final result is only very meagre, a lowest common denominator with the appearance but without the strength of real consensus.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The reasons for this were perhaps manifold, but I should like to point to one which, to my mind, is also relevant to the work of the General Assembly and to international conferences under the aegis of the United Nations. 49. Here I have in mind the misuse of the procedure of consensus. In his recent report the Secretary-General calls for a concerted approach to problems of peace and security and a constructive search for consensus on difficult and controversial issues. To my mind consensus is the perfect expression of the Charter's image of the United Nations as the centre for harmonizing our actions. It is true also that the broadest possible support is necessary for United Nations recommendations and decisions to be effective.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)