YouSaid · the spoken record

Andrei Gabriel Plesu

lines on the record: 38
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 1999-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“This is a legitimately sensitive subject for the countries of the region, particularly for the companies registered there, and ought to be duly considered as such. Romania's commitment to its strategic goals of European and Atlantic integration is steady and unwavering. It has passed the acid test of the Kosovo crisis. We are looking forward with confidence and hope to the major decisions which are due to be taken before the year's end and thereafter. The United Nations may not be perfect, but is perfectible and, after all, is the only world forum available. It is up to us to make it live and deliver. We, the Member States, have to deliver in order to live in a peaceful world. For this I hope and pray.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Secondly, in focusing on the eventual integration of the region as a whole into the European and Atlantic structures, the sequence and content of the steps to be taken should realistically differentiate among the actual requirements and capabilities of each participating country. Thirdly, besides action at the governmental level, it is vital to secure the active involvement of business interests and the various organizational expressions of civil society in order to give substance and continuity to the whole process. Almost as an afterthought, I think I should also mention the need for a watchful eye on transparency, applying equally to political decision-making and to procurement procedures, including those practised by the agencies of the United Nations family.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe is such proof of a new, bold approach — a comprehensive, forward looking programme which proposes to deal with the entire region with specific action envisaged on three tiers: international security, economic development and democracy and institution-building. Romania has welcomed the plan from the very beginning, is part of it and seriously means to do its utmost to bring it to fruition. It is still early, but three preliminary observations may be in order. First, the actual participation of the countries in the region and of its immediate neighbours, such as Romania, is crucial for its success.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The Balkan tragedy has been in the headlines for the whole of this past year. We all had an object lesson on the harm that ethnic and religious intolerance compounded by rabid nationalism can do to an entire region. As so many times in history, it was the innocents that had to suffer most, individuals and nations alike. But we have also learned that determination and prompt action by the international community can make a difference. It is gratifying to note that trans-Atlantic solidarity again passed a crucial test in these past few months. In fact, if we are able to look into the future of the region with a reasonable degree of optimism, it is because we have seen concerted action at work.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Romanian contingents took part in several United 40 Nations-led and other peacekeeping, peace support and policing operations and are further prepared to improve and diversify their contribution to such activities. Our cooperation with the United Nations agencies has become better focused and more effective. I should like to mention the importance we attach to the support of the United Nations Development Programme in designing and managing specific, high-priority projects for Romania, notably in public administration, in the preparation of a national strategy for sustainable development and of a local Agenda 21 programme. Further useful work is expected to be done jointly with the World Bank for the formulation of a comprehensive development framework at both the national and the regional level.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In relation to the enlargement of the Security Council membership and its improved performance, we believe that proper consideration should be given to the interests of all regional groups, including the Group of Eastern European States, which has seen the most spectacular rise in numbers over the past three decades. Romania welcomed the initiative to create the United Nations Stand-by Forces High-Readiness Brigade and takes part in it. Recent events across the world have demonstrated the urgent need to make it operational as soon as possible. We have been reminded of this in a most dramatic fashion by the recent events in East Timor.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The scope and pace of its reform and adaptation to the new realities and requirements may have been uneven, patchy in some respects and even disappointing, but the process has gained momentum and there are hopeful signs for steady progress in the future. The United Nations is uniquely equipped by its structure and acquired expertise to seek specific rather than standard solutions to specific problems. Every crisis we have had to face in recent years and months had a physiognomy of its own. To be effective, the response must match the challenge in terms of innovative complexity.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The text before the Assembly is the result of extensive consultations and includes meaningful contributions from many quarters based upon the original framework from the Conferences of New or Restored Democracies. The important — and I would say, novel — thing about this document is that, in addition to listing principles and stating general aims, it also spells out practical modalities for carrying them out in the political, legal, administrative, economic and social spheres. Last but not least, it emphasizes the crucial role of non-institutional players — business communities, unions, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the media — in shaping policies and in building consensus for implementation. In a changing world, the world Organization itself is also changing.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We are reminded here of the idea that: “The important thing for government is not to do things which individuals are doing already, and to do them a little bit better or a little bit worse, but to do those things which at present are not done at all.” [John Maynard Keynes, “The End of Laissez-Faire”] We in Romania, much like those in many other Central and East European countries, have been and still are learning that simple truth the hard way in a difficult and sometimes painful process of transition. It is in that spirit and in recognition of the international dimension of good governance at a time of global change that the Romanian delegation has submitted a draft code of democratic conduct (A/54/178, annex) for examination by the Assembly this session.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Those values prevailed because they were right, because they survived in our hearts and minds through decades of totalitarian communist oppression, and because they were embraced by the vast majority of people in our countries. But shared values themselves are not enough to build a truly prosperous democratic society: they have to be underpinned by an equally coherent set of institutions designed to serve and actually implement those values. The two — values and institutions — are inextricably linked in a functioning democracy, and it is precisely from this linkage that the indispensable ingredient for further progress arises: leadership. That, in a nutshell, is the substance of good governance.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We do not always understand in time that the most efficient way to fight war and violence is to fight poverty. We do not always know how to distinguish between political manoeuvring and public interest, between national pride and universally valid principles. We must reflect on these things not only when crises are unleashed but instantly calmly and clear-mindedly. There is no simple way of coping with complexity. It requires vision, enlightened foresight, careful planning and hard work. The revolutionary changes of ten years ago in Central and Eastern Europe and the ensuing process of transition were essentially focused on values — political pluralism, parliamentary democracy, separation of powers, individual freedom, market economy and human rights, including the rights of people belonging to ethnic, religious or other minorities.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Similarly, some say that we should tolerate either social injustice nor crime under the pretext of non-interference in domestic affairs. Undoubtedly respect for human rights is primarily the responsibility of national Governments and State institutions. However, if they do not fulfil this task, there should be an instrument capable of enforcing respect for international standards and there is no better instrument for doing so than the United Nations. Preventing conflicts is a complex undertaking. Unfortunately, we do not always have time to act subtly and imaginatively. We are not doing enough in the field of education in the sense of cultivating values of respect for the integrity of the individual and for his or her right to be different.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“It should be clear that the individual must necessarily be the beneficiary of any form of solidarity: international organizations, States and governments do not acquire legitimacy and cannot be judged otherwise than through their impact on individual destiny. The real man or woman, rather than generic mankind, and the values embodied by the human species, rather than self-serving projects, are the true subjects of politics. This way of thinking has lately brought up the issue of humanitarian intervention, human rights and reform of the system of international law. This is a sensitive issue and one full of pitfalls. There are those who say that we should not tolerate legal injustice under the pretext of 39 humanitarian intervention. That is true.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Luckily, it is also globalization — this time in its good sense — that can make it impossible for conflicts to become chronic, because the whole world instantly learns about any local dispute and mobilizes all available energies to identify and implement solutions. The moral underpinning of globalization is called solidarity. One could say that in its very structures and goals the United Nations anticipated contemporary globalization: the United Nations is all about institutionalized solidarity, and to belong to this Organization means making solidarity the norm of best conduct. Social, political and economic solidarity; cultural, inter-ethnic and regional solidarity; solidarity born out of respect for values, and fostered by goodwill and good faith — these are the ethics that we wish for the forthcoming millennium.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“I think we must take that event seriously: although we may have a lot to celebrate, we still have a lot more to do, earnestly, pragmatically and effectively. Like all good things, globalization produces beneficial effects; then again, as happens with most good things, those benefits are not evenly distributed: those who are better equipped to face the challenge of going global will reap its fruits sooner, while those who are not will have to try harder. What I mean is that as we talk about globalization we do not have to indulge ourselves in slogans or idolatry: globalization involves great benefits, but also great risks. We should not forget that our century first experienced the dark side of globalization: world war.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“A satisfactory definition of the term may not be yet available, but we all feel the effects of it: pervasive; subtle or less so; disturbing; sometimes perverse; and, above all, challenging. The end of a millennium and the advent of a new one is a good time for reflection. It is not just coping with the millennium bug, which may cause our computers to go awry; it is — to use the Secretary General's well polished phrase — a “symbolically compelling moment”. It is not for me to answer the question of where we are and where we are heading: the collective wisdom of the United Nations Member States, assisted by academia and, we hope, by civil society too, will take charge of that at the millennium summit next year.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“I am greatly pleased to extend my warmest congratulations to our newly elected President of the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Also, I join previous speakers in expressing our debt of gratitude to the outgoing President, Mr. Didier Opertti, for his able stewardship of the proceedings of the Assembly during the past session. I welcome the newcomers to the United Nations family, Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga. It has not been an easy year for our Secretary-General. We all appreciate his wisdom and sense of balance in steering the reform process of the United Nations itself with a firm hand at a time of profound change on the international scene. Whether we like it or not, globalization is upon us.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We believe in the capacity of the United Nations to tackle the complex problems facing the international community on the eve of the third millennium.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We have followed them attentively and appreciate the results obtained within the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Southern Cone Common Market, the Association of South-East Asian Nations and other organizations. Among the priorities established by Romania, it is worth mentioning the objective of developing and diversifying our political and economic relations with countries of other regions, taking into account the complex and dynamic developments of an ever more interdependent world under the impact of globalization. In conclusion, allow me to assure the Assembly of the commitment of the Romanian delegation to 16 contributing effectively to United Nations activities in various fields towards the successful outcome of the current session.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We also have to recognize that, in crisis situations, we still focus on effects and not on causes; we try to limit the damage and prevent the spread of the crisis, but do not focus on the prevention of conflict itself. In our opinion, we should take better advantage of the framework provided by the United Nations system in order to work out development-oriented political strategies, in particular in the economic field. Similar developments — leading, on the one hand, to solidarity and, on the other, to an ever greater diversity of the problems that confront us — can also be noted in other regions of the world, not only in the Euro-Atlantic space.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“This is why I feel we need the support and encouragement of the international community, to the benefit of democratization and development. With regard to subregional cooperation, our experience shows that crisis situations are generally seen solely from the political, military and sometimes humanitarian perspectives, but rarely or never from those of economics or civil society. Certainly, there are well- targeted subregional projects, such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and those relating to transport routes linking the Caspian Sea to Western Europe, the ancient silk route. But we have to recognize that South- Eastern Europe lacks broad economic integrating projects that are assisted by the main international institutions. In the absence of such economic cooperation projects, our policy is somewhat reactive.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“For us, maintaining an international environment that is stable, predictable and stimulating to business and investment is central to fulfilling our economic reform programme. Romania?s fundamental option — that of European reintegration and membership in NATO — is well known. Our political objectives remain unchanged. Even if the rate at which these objectives are achieved varies from one country to another, we have no alternative. As we strive to replace one system by another, we are encountering all the difficulties of transition: low standards of living, the confusion of values, a radical change of mentalities against the backdrop of social and administrative inertia. Everything has become a priority. Everything is compulsory. Everything is urgent.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“On that occasion, a number of measures were examined concerning the implementation of the recommendations formulated in the document adopted last year in Bucharest. In this respect, we intend to present a draft resolution to the General Assembly with a view to ensuring the follow-up to this process until the next Conference. Romania highly appreciates the framework provided by the United Nations system, since it allows for the broad participation of all countries in all fields and enables the search for common interests that transcend national pride. Please allow me to raise a few issues relating to Romania, a country engaged in the broad and difficult process of economic reform.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“As mentioned in the message of Pope John Paul II, the success of the meeting testified to Romania?s mission as “an interface between East and West, offering a genuine synthesis of cultures and traditions”. At present, many countries of the world are undergoing the complex and unique experience of regaining democracy. That is why there is great interest in good governance, strengthening democratic institutions and enlarging the participation of civil society in the exercise of democracy. It gives me great pleasure, in my capacity as Acting Chairman of the Third International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, to bring to the Assembly?s attention the fact that the ministerial meeting of the countries participating in that Conference took place a few days ago here at United Nations headquarters.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We should also refrain from condemning those who have different views from ours and should not use the name of democracy to encourage confusion between public affairs and private, between the values of pomp and sincerity, between honesty and demagogy. We should 15 not add to the confusion of the world by an ostentatious relativization of acquired traditions and values. In this context, Romania reaffirms its attachment to the concepts of multiculturalism and tolerance of all kinds. Allow me to recall that an international conference organized by the community of Sant?Egidio was recently held in Bucharest on the topic of peoples and religions. Representatives of all the major religions and denominations of the world participated in this meeting.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We should condemn fanaticism without claiming that there are fanatic religions or denominations. We should encourage dialogue and not confrontation, solidarity and not segregation. We have to work for the unity of Europe without instituting various degrees of “Europeanism”, which could lead to arbitrary divisions that separate and exclude rather than unite. We have to encourage the spirit of cooperation and mutual aid and not the tendency to pass judgement on others. We should not judge States for the undignified deeds of certain citizens, nor peoples for the historic accidents imposed on them by abusive leaders or barbarian ideologies.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Romania supports the role played by the United Nations in asserting the universal nature of human rights and in consolidating the international system for the protection of these rights in collaboration with Governments and civil society. We also wish to contribute to an active and efficient United Nations involvement in the fight against terrorism, organized crime and illicit drug-trafficking. In this respect, we must take into account the fact that the global character of these new threats requires a global approach so that mankind can tackle them in a responsible way. We cannot afford the luxury of replacing effective action by endless debate or compassion by contemptuous judgement. We should condemn terrorism without speaking of terrorist peoples or countries.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Romania is developing effective cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children?s Fund (UNICEF) and other funds and programmes within the new United Nations development assistance framework. The Romanian Government would like to benefit more from United Nations assistance in priority fields in support of domestic reforms. This year, the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives me this very pleasant opportunity to refer to the human dimension of our activity. It also provides us all with an opportunity to reflect more broadly upon the interdependencies which exist between human rights and peace, development and democracy.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The high-level dialogue which recently took place in New York on the economic and social impact of globalization re-emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to economic interdependence and other dimensions of international security. An effective response to the present challenges requires the participation of all States, as well as international financial and commercial institutions, in order to reach a new global financial balance. In a world of growing interdependence, the assistance provided by the United Nations system is a good example of the coordinated way in which we can address the various problems confronting us.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We support the reform of the Council and want to have the discussions continued on equitable representation in the Council and an increase in its membership, with a view to finding generally acceptable solutions. Our approach is also aimed at obtaining an additional non-permanent seat for the Group of Eastern European States. In the context of increasingly diverse challenges to international security and the prevalence of non-military risks, the role of the United Nations in other fields — economic, social and legal — is becoming more important than ever. The economic and social dimensions of United Nations activities offer even more opportunities for a coherent and efficient management of dialogue and cooperation on global economic and social issues.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We believe that there are serious reasons for concern about the lack of progress in solving the two major problems of this region — namely, the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and the negotiation of the political status of the eastern region of the Republic of Moldova. We support the need for the resumption of negotiations on the status of this region and the urgent implementation of the 1994 agreement on the withdrawal of the 14th Russian Army from the territory of the Republic of Moldova. We believe that the United Nations Security Council will continue to play a crucial role in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It is a difficult process but one courageously undertaken by these countries. It is true that it is always up to them to improve their political image — not by falsifying it, but on the contrary by rendering it more exact. There is the need for a certain regional pride, for a legitimate aspiration to show the 14 world not only the spectre of intraregional conflicts, but also a promising economic and cultural potential that deserves every consideration and encouragement. Romania is particularly concerned about the still unresolved conflict situation in the eastern region of the Republic of Moldova.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Romania continues to stand for the peaceful settlement of this conflict, and we support the efforts of the international community in this direction, including those of the Contact Group, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe. Beyond all doubt, the countries in the region must be constantly consulted regarding measures that are to be taken for the settlement of the conflict. The Balkans and, in a broader sense, South-Eastern Europe have, inter alia, an image problem. The inventory of local disputes gets more attention than the inventory of real success stories. We forget that a number of these countries have managed to make the transition from dictatorships and centralized economies to democracies and market economies.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It is essential not to lose the momentum for dialogue likely to lead to peace, because there is always a right moment for peace, just as there is also sometimes, unfortunately, a time which can lead to conflict. For example, in our view the Middle East today is facing a unique chance for peace. If the parties involved do not take advantage of this opportunity, the crisis might continue indefinitely. Let us do our utmost to avoid an unfortunate “too late” situation. We were on the verge of acting too late in Bosnia, in Northern Ireland, and we still run this risk in Kosovo. The evolution of the crisis in Kosovo remains extremely worrying.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The political will of Romania to act as a factor of stability on the international level was proved once more yesterday when we signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations regarding stand-by arrangements. This event, furthermore, supplements the recent accession of Romania to the Multinational United Nations Standby Forces High-Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG). The experience acquired in peacekeeping operations has highlighted the need to consolidate United Nations rapid reaction capacity. Romania is profoundly concerned about the conflict situations on the agenda of the Security Council and would like to take this opportunity to advocate, once more, dialogue among the parties concerned, in order to facilitate solutions negotiated by those directly involved in the conflict.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The beneficial role of United Nations preventive diplomacy, demonstrated these past years, as well as the new approaches regarding humanitarian aid, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction, are eloquent examples of the usefulness of joint, coordinated action at the global level. Romania is actively involved in promoting these concepts and trends and is participating, to the extent of its capacity, in peacekeeping and peace-building operations. The participation of Romanian soldiers in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Angola, Kuwait, Somalia or Rwanda represents our contribution to the implementation of these concepts.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Romania believes that the role of the United Nations in contemporary international life remains essential, given that, in the face of the new challenges to international security, we can react in a coherent and efficient manner only under the guidance of a unique system of values, such as that of the generally accepted principles of the United Nations Charter, whose validity remains indisputable. My country desires to participate actively in the process of redefining the role of the United Nations and of modernizing its functioning, and it supports the reform of the Organization as a whole.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It gives me particular pleasure to congratulate Mr. Opertti most warmly on his election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty-third session. Please allow me also to join those who have expressed their appreciation for the work done by the former President, Mr. Hennadiy Udovenko, during the past session. Since this is the first time that I am taking the floor in this Assembly, I would like to express to Secretary-General Kofi Annan our highest consideration and support for his activity, especially for his efforts in promoting reform of and a new image for the United Nations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)