YouSaid · the spoken record

Skubiszewski

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS SKUBISZEWSKI

lines on the record: 111
first: 1989-09-24
most recent: 1993-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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 Organization is gearing itself to contribute its share towards forging a better future for the world and improving the human condition. It has every opportunity to establish a comprehensive agenda within the trinity of peace and security, sustainable human development, and democracy and human rights. It can thereby fulfil the Charter promise "to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends".”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I think that Member States which suffer heavy economic losses as a result of applying sanctions should be entitled to something more than mere consultations and a general - hence ineffective - appeal to the international community to take account of their burden. As sanctions have now become more frequent, the resulting problem of economic losses by third countries cannot be ignored, as, in fact, it now is. A satisfactory mechanism should be worked out as a matter of urgency to resolve this issue. In conclusion, the United Nations, like the world around it, is experiencing a dynamic period of transition influenced by fundamental reassessments and re-evaluations of the potential for peace, development and cooperation among nations.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We believe that the present scale of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina could have been avoided had the international community, especially Europe, reacted when there was still time. Obviously, I am aware of the fact that in a conflict whose components are both internal and international, the influence of non-parties is rather limited, and the solution must finally come from within. Poland rejects the policy of appeasement and imposed territorial settlements. Finally, there is the issue of sanctions. I should like to draw your attention to the implementation of Article 50 of the Charter.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Poland supports the initiatives and programmes that aim at the peaceful settlement of conflicts and at the creation or strengthening of democratic institutions in Africa. In view of the fundamental constitutional reforms now under way in the Republic of South Africa, Poland favours the lifting of sanctions and other restrictions imposed on that country. Recent developments in the Middle East have shown a genuine will to arrive at a compromise and achieve a peaceful settlement. Poland shares the view that it would be appropriate for the General Assembly to endorse the peace process and call for regional cooperation in the Middle East. At the same time, the Assembly should refrain from repeating such resolutions as could harm this delicate process.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The United Nations should not undertake new operations without clearly identified objectives. What is involved is trust in the Organization and its prospective contribution to the security of all of us. Regional conflicts figure prominently on the United Nations agenda. In specific cases regional institutions could be helpful, as not all regions have such ready mechanisms for dealing with conflict situations. However, they could strive to establish them. The Security Council, also, could play a role in appropriate instances. The importance of the regional effort is particularly relevant to Africa, which is facing many specific difficulties and problems. We should devote more attention to that continent.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The "Agenda for Peace" has set out a conceptual framework. Preventive diplomacy, peace-keeping, peacemaking and, in particular, enforcement require sound guidelines, procedures and detailed planning in operational terms. Though a great deal of work has already been accomplished, much more remains to be done. The problems with the clarity of the mandate of the peace-keeping operations, their time frame, management and frugality also require the special attention of the United Nations. Bearing in mind the alarming number of casualties among both military and civilian peace-keepers, Poland fully supports the idea of the expeditious elaboration of a universally binding legal instrument, possibly in the form of a convention on the safety and security of the personnel of peace-keeping operations.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Traditional means, as listed in Article 33 of the Charter might, depending on the merits of each case, be combined with peace-keeping, peace-building or even enforcement measures. We must distinguish between various phases or component parts of the same conflict where each phase will require a different approach or a different procedure. And let us not forget that there are a growing number of conflicts which cannot simply be "settled", at any rate in the foreseeable future. They should, Forty-eighth session - 28 September l993 39 rather, be "managed". All this opens up new vistas for the skilful use of various United Nations mechanisms. Now I wish to say a few words about peace-keeping. It is a subject that is high on the United Nations agenda. The success and therefore the image of the United Nations are at stake here.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Poland welcomes the enlargement, limited though it still is, of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. It would also be highly desirable if further withdrawals of reservations to the jurisdictional clauses of treaties followed. Poland supports the Secretary-General’s call upon all Member States to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court before the end of the United Nations Decade of International Law in the year 2000. By means of its advisory jurisdiction, the Court might deal with such questions as the legal components of political decisions, the review of administrative action or the relationship between some of the main organs of the United Nations. The peaceful settlement of disputes requires a new approach.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Economic and social difficulties have a decisive impact on international security and global stability, and often lead to human rights violations. The main thing is to create a spirit of partnership and solidarity. We expect the World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Copenhagen in 1995, to specify the necessary tasks in social development and thereby reinforce sustainable economic development. I shall now discuss some procedures and methods which are particularly topical in view of the goals and tasks I have enumerated. I will speak first of the settlement and management of disputes. The new world situation calls for renewed and growing attention to international law, its implementation and application.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In our view, the international community should pay particular attention to the observance of human rights and humanitarian standards in internal strife. War crimes should not go unpunished. The third task to which I wish to draw the attention of the General Assembly is development. The growing gap between rich and poor nations is a significant source of tensions and conflicts. Even Europe has not been spared, threatened as it is by the emergence of a new "curtain", this one economic. I am confident that the agenda for development under preparation will comprehensively deal with the various aspects of this potential danger. We need a new development paradigm that is people-oriented: human rights have their economic dimension.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“As the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross emphasized during the recent International Conference on the Protection of Victims of War, held in Geneva, the practice has undergone a change for the worse. With even greater frequency, civilian populations are becoming the hostages and primary targets of fighting warlords. Each and every day the mass media bring us scenes of the atrocities of war. We in the United Nations must not be indifferent to these facts. Poland joins the call for urgent action to revive the observance of humanitarian law and to uphold the authority of the Geneva Conventions as well as their additional Protocols. The Polish Government strongly endorses the Declaration adopted by the Conference on the protection of war victims.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“A small bureau, which might be located in Warsaw, could be entrusted with monitoring human rights observance in Eastern Europe. This is a sensitive region. Such a bureau would be part of the Geneva office. I have suggested Warsaw because bodies of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe already operate there, a fact that could facilitate cooperation between the United Nations and the European institutions in that field. The region provides much insight into how democracy and human rights are being implemented in States that are undergoing democratic transformation. One aspect of human rights has become very critical of late. I am referring to the increasing violations of humanitarian law in armed conflicts, whether international or domestic.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Individuals need better and easier access to international protection of their rights and freedoms. The Organization should revise the grievance procedures and make them more universal. While assuming that the Second and Third Committees will merge into one Economic and Social Committee, Poland would suggest the establishment of a Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Committee as one of the main Committees of the General Assembly. We recommend expanding the responsibilities, competence and rank of the Commission on Human Rights. We also support, as a matter of urgency, the proposal to create an office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Further, we should explore means of promoting human rights on a regional level.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“There is no room for treating criticism of such unlawful policies and lawful attempts to redress them as an infringement of the sovereignty of States. In promoting, developing and effectively defending human rights, the United Nations should make these activities part of its cooperation with States. International peace and security, sustainable development and human rights are the three closely related areas on which the United Nations should concentrate. "An Agenda for Peace", Agenda 21 and the forthcoming agenda 38 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session for development should, in my view, be complemented by an agenda for human rights. With the results of the Vienna Conference kept in mind, the Agenda for Human Rights would constitute a plan of action for setting standards and implementing rights and preventing violations.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The United Nations organs must expand their negotiating and mediatory capacities and show much skill in overcoming these divergences. The essential criteria are morality, the inherent dignity of the human person and the rule of law. Human rights must express the common values of the international community. Their implementation is becoming one of the preconditions of worldwide stability and security. Fundamental human rights are universal; their substance is absolute and unrelated to circumstances. But saying this does not mean that we are closing our eyes to the existence of many different cultures and traditions in the historical development of the various regions of the world. This should be duly taken into account; however, it cannot justify any violations of human rights or non-execution of the relevant instruments.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“There are a number of reasons why, after the Vienna Conference, the Organization should devote much of its attention to human rights. In doing so, I believe, it should reflect on these words used by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in addressing the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council: "The United Nations is, by its very essence, universal, global and inclusive. It is made up of sovereign States, yet crucially concerned with the well-being of individuals. Its concern with individuals, with their societies and with world society is not, as some would claim, inherently contradictory." There are differences of opinion on the scope of human rights, on State responsibilities in regard to their observance and on the role of the international community in monitoring them.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The United Nations has developed a disarmament agenda. The signing of the chemical weapons Convention by almost 150 States shows how the new political climate facilitates long-awaited agreements and brings us closer to a world free of weapons of mass destruction. We hope that there will be similar positive developments in nuclear disarmament. The initiation of negotiations on a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing constitutes a big step in that direction. The United Nations should also deal with the threat posed by the possible spread of nuclear-weapon capabilities and the proliferation of other weapons of mass destruction. Poland attaches great importance to thorough and constructive preparations for the 1995 Review Conference of the Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. I should now like to turn to the subject of human rights.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Let me take this opportunity to add that Poland is firmly and irreversibly committed to the political and economic transformation it started in 1989, and that its foreign policy has stable priorities. The fate of the countries in the process of transformation is not their problem alone. Their success or failure is unavoidably going to exert a strong impact on other States. The international community should not fail to back up the transformation process and to assist the new democracies in their continuing efforts to achieve reform, economic recovery, social progress and full participation in international exchanges. Such an approach would assist them in their swifter integration into the world economic system. The military factor of security retains its significance, although it differs from that of the cold-war era.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Such an assignment could be entrusted to most-knowledgeable individuals, research institutes, transnational corporations and others. The report would serve as a basis for spelling out the future responsibilities of the United Nations and the Member States. We need a thorough re-examination of the priorities of the United Nations and, consequently, of the whole United Nations system. The main purpose of reform would be to adapt the United Nations to the requirements of peace after the cold war. Reform should take into account ongoing changes in Member States. This applies, in particular, to countries in transition, not only in Central and Eastern Europe but also in various parts of other continents.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“But we have to remember that the process of finding answers to these issues will unavoidably lead in the future Forty-eighth session - 28 September l993 37 to a new alignment of power among States and, as a result, we shall then face the prospect of recourse to force. That question has been partly addressed by the Secretary-General in his "Agenda for Peace." The matter has very broad ramifications, and we still have not elaborated a grand strategy of democratic transformation. I think that the United Nations should start exploring, in a more systemic manner, its role in the world as it is now and as it will be beyond the year 2000. One of the preparatory steps might be the preparation of a report on the United Nations as a leader of global change and the promoter of a new world order after the cold war.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“To begin with, it should be based on the assessment of geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions, in particular on the assumption that the world has become pluralistic, whatever the size and weight of States in international affairs. It should also reflect an increased awareness of the need for a multilateral approach to solving problems. Four years have elapsed since the end of the cold war. We must not merely adjust to the new situation, but mould it, in order to arrive at a comprehensive solution. The present crisis has many facets. Today, its primary source is unresolved economic and social issues, as well as such political problems as territorial disputes and ethnic tensions.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“In an increasingly interdependent world the United Nations, despite its shortcomings and limitations, offers the best avenue for addressing those global problems that are still unresolved and for meeting new challenges as well. The Organization faces the task of creating a better, more democratic and just world. In fact, we badly need a vision of such a world. More often than not, we have to ask ourselves these questions: Are we rising to the occasion? How should we resolve the present crisis of leadership, both within individual States and on the international level? The United Nations provides an appropriate platform for shaping the vision I am talking about.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“I extend congratulations to His Excellency Ambassador Samuel Insanally of Guyana on his election to the presidency of this session of the General Assembly. May I also thank His Excellency Mr. Stoyan Ganev of Bulgaria for his contribution to the success of the previous session. In addition, I should like to stress the deep appreciation of the Polish Government for the work and accomplishments of the Secretary-General of the United Nations over the past year. Let me first speak about some of the timely goals and tasks of our Organization. I should like to start by discussing the role of the United Nations in organizing peace after the cold war. In the post-cold-war era, the United Nations is facing growing expectations and responsibilities. That trend will continue over the coming years.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Poland is in favour, in particular, of reinforcing the role of the International Court of Justice. I wish to conclude by noting that enduring world peace is inconceivable without law and justice standing out as unfaltering beacons for all men and nations alike.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The United Nations itself is facing a number of legal questions of a highly sensitive nature: Let me refer, by way of example, to the contemporary meaning of sovereignty; the rule of law and domestic jurisdiction of States; respect for international law in conflict situations; global legal mechanisms for the enforcement of human rights; the establishment of an international criminal court; succession of States; and international compensation claims. As to the solution of conflicts, recourse should be made to Article 36 of the Charter. Security Council recommendations on specific procedures or methods of adjustment of disputes should become a normal practice in cases where parties to a dispute are unable to settle it in accordance with their obligations under paragraph 3 of Article 2.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Poland welcomes the fact that the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, has opened a new chapter of international cooperation by addressing environmental protection issues in a manner compatible with the requirements of sustainable development. The Decade of International Law has got off to a slow start, yet it still offers a unique framework for enhancing the role of law as the basic factor for order in international relations. We should not miss this opportunity.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The social implications of economic reform and structural adjustment need to be carefully monitored, both in the developing countries and in those in transition. We expect that the forthcoming United Nations Summit Conference on social policies and development will address these implications in some detail, especially as they relate to Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. It would certainly be helpful if, in the course of preparations for the conference, the Secretary-General could prepare, by analogy with his report "An Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277), a report on the challenges of social and economic development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“A grand strategy for supporting the democratic transition has not yet been worked out, a strategy whose relevance, I dare say, may well one day be highly appreciated in other regions and countries likely to face transition and transformation problems. There is little doubt that international economic relations need to be reformed in the overriding interest of international stability and security. The stronger the economy, the sturdier the political and social fabric of States and, in effect, the greater their resistance to the impact of ethnic conflicts, refugee exoduses and migration problems. This, I believe, is a valid argument in favour of accelerated restructuring of the economies in transition and their early integration into the world economy.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Ecologically sustainable development, with democracy and the market economy at its core, should be the focal point and the principal goal of the United Nations system as it prepares itself for the future: the year 2000 and beyond. We shall not be able to cope successfully with the challenges ahead unless a coalition for development is forged. As it happens, there are also grounds to fear a division based on the level of economic development in Europe. In the case of countries in transition, their long-awaited prosperity is lagging behind, not coming hand-in-hand with freedom. The Western industrial democracies have not yet adopted a coherent approach to the emerging problems of countries in Central and Eastern Europe.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This attitude has found its expression in the treaties concluded by Poland with its neighbours. We fully endorse the adoption by the General Assembly of the draft declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. While the ideologically motivated East-West division no longer exists and we rejoice at that we now see a growing North-South division, with the countries in transition, such as Poland, stranded in between. As a result, the promise of peace, greater security and freedom for all is being slowly eroded. Global inequality, exemplified by the widening gap between the rich North and the poor South as well as the disparity in access to markets, must be alleviated not only for economic, but also for security, humanitarian and ethical reasons.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It should elaborate an action-oriented programme for the promotion and implementation of human rights as well as for the prevention of their violation. It should contribute to improving the coordination of United Nations activities in that respect. The framework for the preparations for the Conference is provided by General Assembly resolution 45/155. While noting the variety of factors which influence the status of human rights, the resolution places emphasis on their universality. There is no justification for any differentiation in understanding the contents and the meaning of human rights, nor is there any room for their selective application. We must do all in our power to prevent the weakening of the universal substance of human rights. My country pays particular attention to the protection of minorities.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Our debate on this issue is taking place at a time of both rising expectations and mounting fears about future developments. The international community is frustrated by its far-too-frequent helplessness in cases of grave and massive violations of human rights. Former Yugoslavia is a recent case in point. The United Nations should urgently consider additional measures to address serious violations of human rights among other things, a system of enforcement of respect for human rights. In this connection, the Austrian proposal concerning the establishment of a human rights emergency mechanism, submitted to the Commission on Human Rights, deserves proper attention. The forthcoming World Conference on Human Rights is an appropriate forum to discuss these questions. The Conference should adopt a comprehensive approach to human rights.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This fact is rightly emphasized by the Secretary-General in his report. In crisis situations, where several organizations are acting simultaneously, it could be advisable to set up, on an ad-hoc basis, a single coordinating framework. This would help to avoid duplication, overlapping or dissipation of efforts. The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe should be commended for its offer of such cooperation. It declared itself a regional arrangement in the sense of Chapter VIII of the Charter. This implies the establishment of an important link between European and global security. In our concern for peace and security we must consider the non-military factors. Let me turn first to human rights, an area where the Polish nation has accumulated considerable experience of internal struggle for the respect of the individual.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“While the United Nations is, as proved by the Persian Gulf experience, capable of playing its role in regard to the restoration and then preservation of peace and security, we still need to seek new security arrangements in keeping with the Charter. In Europe, this need has already been recognized by the North Atlantic Alliance, which is the pillar of security in our continent, the Western European Union and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). Poland supports their involvement and active cooperation with other institutions in peace-keeping, conflict prevention and crisis management. Harmonious and constructive interaction between the United Nations and regional organizations or arrangements may well constitute an important new element in making the United Nations more effective in the field of peace and security.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Some points have already been raised during today's debate. I am referring in particular to the statements by the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Member States should make more use of the opportunities inherent in Chapter VIII of the Charter. Regional and continental security structures should become, in our view, part of a global security architecture. The aggression against Kuwait and the hostilities in former Yugoslavia, in Moldova and in Nagorno-Karabakh have laid bare the strength of nationalism and the weakness of some regional structures. Indeed, left to fester, political, ethnic, religious and other conflicts have spread insecurity and instability across Europe and far beyond.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Let me also stress at this juncture that the Government of Poland has indicated its willingness to assign to peace-keeping operations, as of 1993, two or three self-contained infantry battalions, in addition to logistics detachments. This contingent could eventually be made available to the Security Council on a permanent basis. We thus fully agree with words that the President of the United States of America uses in his address to us yesterday namely, that a new emphasis should be put on peace-keeping. That idea has also been entertained by other speakers. Furthermore, in response to a recent suggestion by the Secretary-General, Poland stands ready to participate in consultations aimed at the implementation of Article 43 of the Charter. I shall now address the issue of regionalism.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Another subject which deserves examination is the financing of the peace-keeping operations out of the defence budgets of States. The earmarking of merely half a per cent of their annual military expenditures for peace-keeping operations would help to overcome the present budgetary constraints. In this way, the maintenance of peace and security would become a truly common responsibility of the international community. Poland stands ready to contribute to the development of international centres for preparing peace-keeping forces. To this end we propose to make available to the United Nations one of the military bases in Poland vacated by the Russian armed forces.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In view of the reports on civilian and prisoner-of-war detention camps, the Polish Government deems it necessary to reiterate its demand of 7 August this year that all such camps be closed down forthwith and all the detainees be released without delay. Moreover, criminal prosecution of all persons responsible for breaches of the law of armed conflict must be ensured. Poland has contributed one of the largest contingents to the United Nations Transition Authority in Cambodia and to the United Nations Protection Force in former Yugoslavia. At the same time/ Poland recognizes the urgent need of reassessment of the tasks and structure of United Nations peace-keeping forces, including - as proposed by the Secretary-General the establishment of a standing force at the disposal of the Organization.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Non-compliance with the law of armed conflict; the atrocities; persecution of various population groups, including forced resettlement and "ethnic cleansing" programmes; gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms; obstacles put in the way of humanitarian aid, including obstacles to the activity of the International Committee of the Red Cross - all these acts underlie a regional conflict of unprecedented proportions which is brimming with spill-over risks and incalculable conseguences. The recent report of Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, contains stark evidence of breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights. The report leaves no party to the conflict blameless, while recognizing that the degrees of responsibility are far from being equal or even comparable.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“But even that is not enough. International peace and security will at best remain fragile as long as prevailing patterns and practices are not redressed to eliminate the non-military causes of instability, including ethnic hatred and nationalism. The crisis in the former Yugoslavia, and especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stands out at present as the single greatest breach of international peace. It is a threat to the security of the region.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Conference on Disarmament in Geneva must be commended for having finally reached an agreement to ban these abhorrent weapons. The States participating in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) have committed themselves to become original signatories to that important instrument. We urge all Member States to do likewise. However, arms control and disarmament are unfinished tasks. The United Nations has to deal with the overkill capacity still present in arsenals, both nuclear and conventional, and with the growing danger of the spread of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology. There is an immediate need to control international arms transfers. Openness and transparency in the military field have to be promoted. Military stability and confidence will be elusive unless we make headway in all these areas.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The dramatic plight of famine- stricken Somalia is a manifest example. It calls not only for urgent international relief but also for long-standing assistance. The advance made in arms control and in disarmament has a direct and positive impact on the international security climate. Over the last 12 months, negotiations in this vital area resulted, amongst other things, in the Open Skies Treaty, the agreements between the United States and the four successor States of the former USSR (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan) relating to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We welcome this document and the proposals contained therein. International security is a multidimensional issue. While the military factor continues to play its key role, security and stability are becoming increasingly dependent on other factors as well. We are facing pressing tasks in the economic area: the economies of the developing countries and the economies of the newly democratic countries, which emerged with the fall of communism, must become more efficient. There are enormous challenges with regard to the protection of the environment, with regard to the refugee question, and with regard to natural and man-made disasters. The issue of refugees represents an external manifestation of problems which cannot be addressed effectively without first attending to their underlying causes.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Member States are thinking more and more in terms of stimulating efforts to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Organization. In the words of the Secretary-General, they should seek the "transfiguration of the house". Our fiftieth anniversary will offer an appropriate occasion to reassess the structure of the Organization with a view to tapping the full potential of the Charter. Before we talk about its revision, we first need to re-read the Charter in an attempt to implement it consistently and to adapt its application to the post-cold-war realities and to the political and socio economic challenges originating form the South-North relationship.* Important suggestions have been made by the Secretary-General in his imaginative report "An Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277).”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is with profound satisfaction that we welcome in our midst the new Members of the United Nations: San Marino, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The end of the cold war has opened up the possibility of building a world order free from nuclear terror based on mutual respect among nations, on greater equality of opportunity, and on effective cooperative structures. It has raised hopes for a safer, more equitable and more humane world. Yet we are still far from turning those hopes into reality. Consequently, the international community is led to re-examine and adjust the structures and functions of the United Nations.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Please accept my congratulations, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the current session of the General Assembly. I wish you every success in carrying out this responsible task. Let me also add how glad we are to have a President personifying the democratic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe. To the outgoing President, Ambassador Samir S. Shihabi of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I convey our appreciation for the quality of his leadership and work. I also want to assure the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, of our unfailing support for his tireless efforts to make the United Nations live up to the expectations of our time and to the law of the Charter.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“As our world becomes less and less divided, the role of law in strengthening the structure of international society becomes greater. Some say that there are situations in which there is a contradiction between national interest and the law of the Charter. That is not true, and our Organization is, I think, proving it. In the United Nations there is no alternative to cooperation and common action under the rule of law.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The Decade of International Law should also draw our attention to the role of international tribunals. The recent frequent resort by States to the International Court of Justice is a positive development. The acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court should be encouraged. In particular, it would seem useful to study the possibility of extending the practice of States under the optional clause of the Statute of the International Court of Justice whereby States parties to a dispute would agree to go to the Court should the Security Council of the United Nations so recommend. I am referring to Article 36, paragraph 3, of the Charter and to Article 36 of the Court's Statute. Finally, because it entails flexibility and has other advantages, recourse to arbitration should be enhanced.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The Secretary-General deserves credit for stressing that "the principle of non-interference with the essential domestic jurisdiction of States cannot be regarded as a protective barrier behind which human rights could be massively or systematically violated with It should be made clear that the exception of domestic jurisdiction does not apply to any case where there is international regulation. Today, practically all the multifarious human rights and fundamental freedoms are subject to treaty or other obligations. Hence, their violation does not belong to the reserved domain of States, nor does individual or concerted action by Governments in defense of human rights constitute any interference or intervention in the internal affairs of the State.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“But there is also room for improvement in some of the States where the rule of law is otherwise respected. Today there is such a massive influx of international law into the internal legal order of each State that the effectiveness of the process requires a very high level of expertise and very efficient functioning of the legislature, the executive and the courts. The Decade should be used to bring about progress in this field. This is particularly important with regard to municipal implementation of international instruments on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the protection of minorities.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)