YouSaid · the spoken record

Nastase

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS NASTASE

lines on the record: 55
first: 1991-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
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

“For its cogency with the objectives of the current United Nations Decade of International Law, I would like to recall the prophetic words of a great Romanian diplomat, Nicolae Titulescu, who, 55 years ago, stated: "Only when the law shines like the rising Sun in the soul of all men as a guiding spirit, an imperative requirement, and a self-imposed obligation that is one with organized freedom only then will Mankind have been saved."”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I am confident that the authoritative voice of the United Nations will be a source for action-oriented measures for the sake and well-being of all nations. Romania, as a democratic country fully attached to the ideals embodied in the United Nations Charter, in making its own contribution to the achievement of mankind's aspirations and to the vital answers we are expected to give to the challenges of the forthcoming century, in which international cooperation should be governed by law.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Romania is ready to put its shoulder to the wheel with a view to alleviating as soon as possible the actual threats to the health of our planet and to the wealth of the world community. Seeing in this audience representatives of such a great family of nations, we realize the immense potential that good will and determination can offer to the genuine universality of the world Organization. I am happy to welcome all new States Members of the United Nations and to extend to all of them the best wishes of my Government and the Romanian people. May I address our congratulations to the representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In our opinion, the 1993 World Conference should represent an important occasion for putting a final stop to the tendencies to politicize minority issues by taking them out of their natural framework - the framework of human rights a framework which offers the best and the only viable answers to concerns connected to guaranteeing and respecting the legitimate rights of persons belonging to national minorities and to the protection of ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity. The health of the world community vitally depends on the health of our planet itself. The Rio Conference proved that mankind is ready to forge a new partnership for promoting sustainable development the key concept to safeguarding human civilization.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In fact, today the security of any country in the European sphere cannot be conceived but as a result of harmonious interaction between the United Nations, CSCE, NATO and WEU, and also of increased efforts at the subregional level. We welcome the decisions to convene the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 and a world summit on social development in 1995.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The opening in Vienna, this very week, of the Forum for Security Cooperation launches a further stage of the dialogue among the participating States of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) in their joint endeavour for increased security and stability for each and every country in the Euro-Atlantic area. In addition, particular mention should be made of the historical processes within both the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and the partnership established among the Western European Union (WEU) member States and the eight countries of Central Europe, including Romania. Thus, step by step, the basic components of a new security order in Europe are taking shape, taking into account the structural transformations on the European continent.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The Romanian Government welcomes the conclusion of the Convention on the destruction and prohibition of chemical weapons and is ready to sign the Convention in January 1993 in Paris. We regard this Convention as a genuine pillar of international security. At the same time, the set of major agreements that were signed or that entered into force this year at the European level the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe, the Vienna Document, the Helsinki Final Act on Conventional Armed Forces, and the Open Skies Treaty - have laid the foundation for lasting cooperation and stability on the Continent.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Of course, some might be tempted to say that the current turmoils in different parts of the world are living proof that the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter are out of date or at least incomplete. We share the view with the great majority of United Nations Member States that it is not the principles that are wanting but the way they are put into practice. Disregard or breaches of international law favour conflicts and not a so-called "scarcity" of principles. The year 1992 is a milestone year for cooperative measures aimed at arms control and disarmament, transparency and confidence, strengthening action-oriented dialogue, and cooperation on security issues.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In this respect, we wholeheartedly endorse the pertinent remarks of the Secretary-General, who says in his report that, if every ethnic, religious or linguistic group claimed statehood, there would be no limit to fragmentation, and peace, security and economic well-being for all would become ever more difficult to achieve. Yet, we would find it extremely useful if the General Assembly were to analyse more thoroughly the concept of the self-determination of peoples in order to prevent any distortion of this specific concept in the sense of extrapolating it to the case of national minorities. Generally speaking, we should try to avoid a risky tendency towards a "proliferation of principles".”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The report of the Secretary-General "An Agenda for Peace" includes a set of inspired guidelines which, once adopted and implemented, would bring us closer to the ideals the United Nations pursues in a world of turbulence. At the same time, we have to be mindful that we are contemplating a long-lasting framework and that there is therefore a need to avoid ephemeral solutions and mechanisms inspired by specific and temporary conflicts or influenced by emotional or short-view approaches. Given the tragic situation in Yugoslavia and other lessons drawn from recent history, we must also forgo hasty generalizations and biased views. Wisdom and patience, an even-handed attitude, and the spirit of compromise are the necessary basic ingredients for any settlement involving the destiny of peoples.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The evolution of the conflict in the Republic of Moldova, taken in conjunction with the conflicts generated elsewhere in the newly independent States, shows that nostalgia for the former empire exists and has painful consequences for the peoples that have gained their freedom at so high a cost. It is the common wisdom that the United Nations remains a major actor in the whole process of world change and a flag-bearer of indisputable authority. In this respect, the new lease on life given to preventive diplomacy is crucial. An encouraging and valuable political consensus on this issue was expressed during the summit-level Security Council meeting held on 31 January 1992.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We sometimes ask ourselves if the independence of all these former Soviet republics is taken seriously by the international community or whether it is only a smoke screen behind which a new imperial structure is taking shape. In any case, we in Romania take it seriously. We cannot remain indifferent when we see tendencies to remake the old empire, into which Moldova was forcibly incorporated as a result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Our interest in the independence and democratic development of a State where 65 per cent of the population is Romanian is natural. We are concerned that a wise propensity for compromise from the Moldovan leaders was rewarded with a policy of fait accompli aimed at institutionalizing the separation of the Trans-Dniestr region from the Republic of Moldova.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We are in the process of working out a more detailed proposal to this effect, which we are going to submit to the United Nations community for consideration. The existence of such a fund would be a way of encouraging States to cooperate with the Council in situations of crisis management. In the case of the conflict in the eastern part of the Republic of Moldova, we are seeing a sort of "pacification" that is, in fact, proving to be a kind of blackmail for the independence and territorial integrity of that State. It is precisely the same army that generated the conflict and gave arms and other support to separatist forces that today is performing the role of "peacekeeper". This pattern has been resorted to in other newly independent States as well.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It fears that, as in the case of the Gulf War, Romania could again economically and financially pay more than it can afford for being a law-abiding member of the international community. That is why we would suggest that the Security Council devise a set of measures involving the financial institutions and other components of the United Nations system that can help States to meet the economic difficulties entailed by compliance with the regime of sanctions. We envisage a standing compensation fund to be administered by the Security Council in order to alleviate, if not fully compensate for, the economic losses of countries particularly stricken by embargoes and other sanctions established by the Security Council.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We may think of arrangements adapted to the specific situation and acceptable to the parties concerned. Whatever their contents, they will remain what they are one-time solutions that do not create international law. Given that Romania's initiative in asking for international monitoring of the observance of the embargo along our Danubian frontier with former Yugoslavia has been confirmed as a positive example to be followed by other neighbors, I shall not dwell at length on this matter. But I cannot help underlining that the costly consequences of my country's scrupulous compliance with the resolutions of the Security Council on Yugoslavia have triggered legitimate concerns among the population of the country.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Despite the evolution of the conflict in the aftermath of the London Conference, we still believe that the relevant action programme adopted there is comprehensive and realistic, although peace may not be achieved overnight. The concerted efforts of the United Nations and the European Community, supported by all the participants in the Conference, including Romania which is the first non-Community neighbouring country represented in the Steering Committee - should not ignore the fact that the specific patchwork of Yugoslavia has always challenged conventional wisdom. Now it also challenges the application of the basic concepts of international law. There cannot be a separate international law for Yugoslavia. Although the conditions are historically and psychologically peculiar, international law is the same for all.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Being in the unique position in this area of having never waged a fighting war against any of the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, Romania is its only neighbour whose perception and attitude are in no way biased by territorial or other interests of any kind. As a State providing full evidence of balanced conduct and good relations with all the Yugoslav republics, Romania can afford to take a neutral stand on any related matter and is determined to contribute further to the efforts of the international community to restore peace and stability in Yugoslavia. As participants in the London Conference on Yugoslavia, we have stressed that a peaceful settlement is the only acceptable alternative for all the parties to the conflict.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In this spirit, Romania entered into negotiations on an association agreement with the European Communities that is about to be concluded, and a cooperation agreement with the European Free Trade Association. At the same time, like the other Central European countries, Romania entered into a special relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and attaches particular importance to its participation as a partner in the North-Atlantic Co-operation Council. The efforts to restore and consolidate democracy in Romania cannot and should not be isolated from the international environment in which we are living. Our major concern about the situation in Yugoslavia has been made manifest in many circumstances.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The programme lays stress on classical anti-inflationary measures and, at the same time, has specific elements conditioned by the need to create a market mechanism. As a matter of principle, Romania aims at developing normal relations of cooperation with all States, and in particular with its neighbours. The foreign policy of our Government is inspired by the political will to create the necessary conditions leading to Romania's irreversible anchorage within the Euro-Atlantic space and its viable institutions, and, respectively, to increase the country's contribution to the building-up of the Euro-Atlantic community of values and of a new continental security order.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“All of these are promises that they will greatly contribute to the strengthening of both the institutional framework and its functioning, thereby irreversibly including Romania in the family of stable and democratic States. Through adequate legislation, the building-up of economic and financial market mechanisms, the privatization of the land, industry, trade, services and tourism, Romania has succeeded in breaking away from the command economy and in becoming more and more attractive to foreign investors. Romania is now in its third year of transition. It has laid the foundations of a market economy and is ready to begin structural reform. As part of the reform, the Romanian Government adopted an economic stabilization programme supported by a stand-by loan from the International Monetary Fund.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Another achievement is the local elections held in February 1992, confirmed as fair and free by their main outcome: by the fact that the opposition parties won an important number of seats everywhere in the country. As a result, Romanian society enjoys more balanced political representation, clearly contradicting allegations pointing to the danger of "monolithism" in Romania. The fairness of the elections was confirmed also in the conclusions drawn by the foreign observers who witnessed the ballot. The country qualifies to be called pluralistic and democratic. The unfolding of the current election campaign brings new proof that political pluralism, the rule of law, free access to the media, and freedom of speech are becoming normal facts of life in today's Romania.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Such a positive judgement on the last year's developments in Romania is convincingly supported by a series of parallel achievements in our domestic and our foreign policy. Let me mention just a few of our domestic achievements: the setting up of a new legislative and institutional framework able to guarantee the rule of law, political pluralism, free and fair elections, transition to a market economy and full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; the adoption by the Parliament elected in May 1990 of the new Constitution approved by national referendum on 8 December 1991; and the fact that, according to our fundamental law, the State recognizes and guarantees to persons belonging to national minorities the right to preserve, develop and express their cultural, linguistic and religious identity, to which one can add a particular feature of Romania's Constitution, whose article 20 states that "constitutional provisions concerning the citizens' rights and liberties shall be interpreted and enforced in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and with the covenants and other treaties to which Romania is a party" and that "where any inconsistencies exist between the covenants and treaties on fundamental human rights to which Romania is a party and domestic laws, the international regulations shall take precedence".”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The whole process of reform has already reached the point of no return: another reason why countries in transition should not be left alone, the more so because, in a certain sense, not only post-Communist Europe but the world as a whole is in transition. The economic, moral and political investments Romania has enjoyed during the last year have already proved that our message has been perfectly understood by most of our potential partners. I make no secret that such investments of confidence have followed an ascending curve, one corresponding both to the growing domestic stability of Romania and our ever increasing international confirmation as a reliable pillar of Central European and continental security.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Thank God, it seems that Romania has already left behind most of its childhood diseases. Considering that the saying "the sooner the better" goes for measles too, we might prove in the long run to have been among the lucky ones in post-Communist Europe. To cite just one example, I would recall that in the past year allegations concerning so-called Romanian anti-semitism have been frequently voiced. Now, that it has become clear that they were groundless, it is our turn to be concerned that in neighboring countries and other Central European countries, xenophobic, racist and anti-semitic trends have emerged. The crux of the matter for our country and for other countries in transition is to strengthen the learning capacity of society. We have no comfortable dogmas or patterns to follow. We are courageously taking risks.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“But I feel entitled to say that the incidental lapses that have sometimes seemed to jeopardize the steady course of transition stemmed not from attempts to look back but rather from a certain eagerness to step into the future one day sooner. Like all the other new Central European democracies, Romania is undergoing a test that has no historical precedent, namely simultaneously to create new political structures and new, workable economic mechanisms. However, as our Prime Minister recently said, we have already saved ourselves from five years of perestroika. And we must keep on forging forward while, paradoxically, we are still searching for gradualism. Moreover, there is no sign that someone has an ideal, fool-proof blueprint for the changes we are striving for.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We see them as a landmark for a country whose firm choice of political pluralism, the rule of law, democracy and a market economy has, for the most part, been undeservedly doubted. I want to inform the Assembly that the Romanian Government has done its best to ensure a fair electoral campaign, and free and fair elections. In turn, the presence of thousands of domestic and numerous foreign observers is a solid guarantee of this. It is not my intention to speak here and now about the heavy tolls the Romanian people has already paid on the road to a reform process able to strike a feasible balance between legitimate aspirations and the scarcity of the economic resources needed to meet them.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I would like first to join previous speakers in extending to Ambassador Ganev my warm congratulations on his election. It gives me particular pleasure to see the representative of one of the new European democracies, which is also a friendly neighbour of Romania, heading such an important session. I should like also to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whose tireless endeavours to catalyze our common efforts aiming at conferring on the United Nations a new role attuned to a changing world enjoy my country's full support. Within a few days, we in Romania are going to experience a historic moment in the post-revolutionary history of our country. On 27 September, parliamentary and presidential elections - the first since the adoption of our new democratic Constitution will take place.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“One of the main explanations for its failure can be found in the determined and explicit international solidarity with, and support for, the democratic forces in the USSR. The United Nations has a major role to play in consolidating the present historic trends. For this, increasing the effectiveness of the United Nations activities and mechanisms is essential. Therefore we welcome the various proposals with a view to making the Organization more effective and we intend to make a positive contribution to the achievement of early and substantive agreement on them. Both memory and imagination should be our advisers in turning a new page of world history. Otherwise we would go towards a "future past world", rather than towards a safer, more peaceful, prosperous and democratic world.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“This is obviously the main purpose of the proclamation of the United Nations Decade of International Law, and Romania is fully committed to the attainment of its objectives. The tasks ahead are not simple. To move from the concepts and mentalities of confrontation to those of cooperation and concord among all countries requires determination and great political vision. But that road must be travelled together, since that is the only way to avoid disaster and ensure a brighter future for all. Human solidarity is the best means of advancing democracy throughout the world and of resisting any infringement of internationally accepted and consecrated rules of conduct. All of us were reminded of this by the coup in the USSR.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The 1993 World Conference should also represent an important occasion for putting a final stop to tendencies to politicize minority issues, by taking them out of their natural framework, the framework of human rights: a framework which offers the best and the only viable answers to concerns about guaranteeing and respecting the legitimate rights of persons belonging to minorities and the protection of the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of minorities. A peaceful and democratic world order requires universal and unabated compliance by all with the rule of law. And there is no organisation better qualified to strengthen and develop international law than the United Nations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Taking into account the fact that regional experiences - and I have in mind especially the American and European ones - have proved that civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights constitute an integral whole and, on the other hand, that the two United Nations Covenants on Human Rights were adopted at a time when ideological divisions were dictating the tone within the United Nations, we could ask ourselves whether such a splitting is still justified and, in general, whether these Instruments should not be updated in the light of the significant changes brought about by the end of the cold war era. A new look should also be taken at other United Nations instruments and resolutions tainted with ideological or political motives, including the well-known 1975 General Assembly resolution equating Zionism with racism.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In the same spirit we attach the utmost importance to the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, which we see as another stepping-stone in the process of strengthening the fibre of peace, democracy, law and justice in all corners of our planet. In our opinion, that Conference offers us a good opportunity to assess not only each country's performance in the field of human rights, but also jointly to assess the improvements that might be necessary as far as the United Nations instruments and mechanisms are concerned. In this regard we would venture to suggest a possible subject for reflection.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In fact we are returning to normalcy, since, for us, communism meant abnormally and an anachronism. Our new democratic institutions are still fragile. We are counting on international cooperation with a view to strengthening them. Earlier this month, at the Moscow meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe on the human dimension, our Government reiterated its determination fully to apply the European and the United Nations standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law at home, and to contribute to their implementation abroad. We are looking forward to full membership for Romania in the Council of Europe and to its active participation in the human rights, social and cultural activities of this Organization.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Me are ready to participate in such operations and, to this end, a number of Romanian personnel are undergoing special training. It is being understood more and more that international order can be peaceful and lasting to the extent that it is based on democracy and on full respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual. The Romanian Government is genuinely committed to the promotion of human rights and democratic values. This fact will be fully reflected in the country's new constitution, which is to be concluded and promulgated a few weeks from now, and which will be tested in the forthcoming local elections, as well as in the general elections to be held next spring. We are of course aware that we are only at the beginning of our return to the democratic traditions of our country.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“As in medicine, it is easier to prevent than to cure. As emphasised again by the Secretary-General in bi-annual report, preventive diplomacy must acquire increased vigour. The Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General have considerably broader roles to play in this regard in the coming months and years. The adoption at this session of the declaration on fact-finding will provide material support for early action on the part of the United Nations to prevent armed conflicts and help bring about the pacific settlement of disputes. The United Nations peace-keeping operations play an indispensable role in the settlement of conflicts. They can be further strengthened, both in terms of functioning and effectiveness.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We should therefore explore the possibility of any efforts complementary to those already being carried on by the EEC and those that the United Nations could take upon itself, if our Organization deems it necessary to examine that specific crisis and make its own recommendations for its political solution. As for the issues that have become "traditional" on the United Nations agenda, Romania welcomes efforts towards peace in the Middle East. We welcome also the progress being made towards the settlement of the situations in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Cyprus, the Western Sahara and Central America. While pursuing the earliest possible conclusion or all existing conflicts, it is critically important to develop and strengthen United Nations procedures and mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Deeply aware of its responsibility and willing to assume it, the Romanian Government has engaged over these last weeks in intensive diplomatic activity. Our open and constructive dialogue with almost every party involved in or affected by the Yugoslav crisis - representatives of the central Government of Yugoslavia and representatives of Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia - and successive exchanges of views with Albania, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey have been part of our efforts to promote a peaceful solution to the crisis affecting our common neighbour. There is hope.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The only novelty that the Nazi and communist nightmares brought about was the aggressive use of their respective ideologies as a means to reach their oppressive ends. Therefore, while welcoming the crumbling of the last European empire, namely, the communist empire, every effort should be made to resist emerging political dreams of recreating in new forms old empires no less hostile to the peoples' rights to self-determination, sovereignty and independence. Placed between two zones with a high potential for conflict, Romania is determined to do all in its power to remain a stable "bridge of hope" in Eastern Europe. It is in its national interest not only to stop at its borders the turmoil affecting two of its neighbours but also to contribute to the stability and security of the whole continent.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We should learn from the wisdom of past generations which, for instance, in dozens of treaties on the peaceful settlement of disputes expressly excluded from the arbitration procedure territorial and border problems. Do we want to abandon for Europe the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act concerning changes of borders? If we do, it would open up a Pandora's box. As elsewhere in the world, the task before Europe is to step forward into the twenty-first century and not look back to the nineteenth century. One should never forget that the insane ambitions and aims of the totalitarian experiments that took place during the twentieth century on the soil of Europe did not in substance differ from the ambitions and aims of the "classical" empires.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Its neighbours, the European countries and the United Nations have to do everything in their power to help the parties involved come to an agreement. Imposed solutions cannot last. It is the only wise course, consonant with both the interests of all the Yugoslav peoples and the objectives and common interests of the whole of Europe - and no less with those of the world at large. The latest discussions and diplomatic consultations on the Yugoslav crisis have revealed certain approaches and ideas that should be addressed. It is difficult to base a new world order on the sovereignty of some but not all States. In the settlement of disputes, a free choice of means is the basic element of the Charter's philosophy.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Unfortunately, Europe - or, more exactly, its eastern part - seems in recent months to have become a theatre of dangerous evolutions of this kind. To our deepest regret, neighbourly and friendly Yugoslavia is severely affected by the consequences of a virulent and destructive conflict whose main lesson is that the use of force leads nowhere but to further complication of existing problems. We welcome and support the actions of the EEC aimed at encouraging a political settlement of the Yugoslav crisis. We in Romania are of the opinion that the countries bordering Yugoslavia have a great responsibility to act in such a way as to prevent the aggravation of the conflict and even to facilitate a solution at the negotiation table. We also are of the view that this solution will be viable to the extent that it comes from within Yugoslavia.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It is therefore our common responsibility to build upon these positive developments and give them an irreversible and universal character. The United Nations is unique equipped to carry out the historic task of building a new world order based on human and democratic values, thriving market economies and peaceful international relations. In our view, in order to maintain and consolidate international peace and security, action is required in several directions. It is of fundamental importance in the first place to encourage and intensify efforts to settle existing conflicts which have so severely damaged the real interests of all parties involved and international relations as a whole. In particular, we should aim at preventing a possible multiplication of chronic conflicts.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Taking into account the fact that the United Nations system is not en end in itself but a means aimed at protecting and promoting human dignity on an international scale, consideration of new and more efficient ways of achieving its goals should be of the greatest concern to us all. The main features of the emerging new structure of international relations in no way contradict the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. On the contrary, they are in line with the basic concepts of the Charter: security based on law; cooperation in ensuring a decent life for all peoples; and democracy as a framework to guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms for all human beings, irrespective of colour, sex, ethnic origin or faith.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We count on the understanding and support of the United Nations in recovering our outstanding loans. We count especially on the support and solidarity of the European Economic Community (EEC) for a successful transition in our country. Our efforts to reinstate a market economy in Romania and to stimulate the free initiative drive of individuals would find a most happy catalyst in the EEC's decision to include Romania among its associate partners and, later on, among its members. He are aware that it is not easy to qualify for such a position, but we are sure that, once such a possibility is clearly stated, the individual energies of Romanians would be fuelled and viable solutions to the myriad problems at present facing our country will be implemented because, after all, hope is a most important prerequisite for success.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Inevitably its economic and social costs are high, as recognized by the international community. We shall have to pay them since, in this respect, there are no miraculous formulas that guarantee success. The Government is endeavouring to maintain social stability in a dynamic environment imposed by reform. We are bound to succeed, but without substantial external support it will probably take us a long time. The assistance we have received from international financial institutions and from several developed countries has had a significant impact, but much more is needed for a modernised and restructured economy to take off. In this respect I would point out that Romania is a net creditor, since it has not contracted long-term loans. Payment of foreign debts due Romania, in particular by Iraq, is badly needed.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The starting point was a stage of isolation and ideological and political dogmatism that had been unknown anywhere else in Europe. We have already set up the new legislative and institutional framework required for the transition to a market economy. Private property has been recognized and guaranteed both in industry and in agriculture. Through appropriate legislation, economic and financial market mechanisms and the privatization of land, industry, trade and tourism have been set in motion. None the less, our economic and financial situation is still in an alarming state. The new mechanisms are not yet functioning with the expected results. There is still resistance, reluctance and distrust about embarking upon comprehensive reform. Our Government is aware of the great risks and difficulties of the transition period.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“This people has lived and developed harmoniously and united within ethnically and historically defined borders. European by birth and mindful of their links with the family of Latin countries through their language, origin and culture, the Romanians aspire, by destiny and vocation, to their rightful place in the community of nations. Freedom of eternal Romania in its natural borders is their driving force. Less than two years ago, after a long night of dictatorships, the Romanian people regained, through their own sacrifices, their right to free and democratic development. The huge price they were forced to pay for their freedom has made them determined resolutely to protect and exercise their irreversible option for democracy, dignity and legality. Romania embarked upon her post-Communist history only about 20 months ago.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“All too often neighbouring empires decided the destiny of the Romanians, arbitrarily modified the borders of their territories and influenced or brutally interfered with their internal development. Almost 2000 years have elapsed since the famous Roman Emperor Trajan commissioned one of the greatest architects of the time, Apollodor of Damascus, to build the biggest bridge across the Danube so that his legions could enter Dacia Felix. It was the same Apollodor of Damascus who a few years later was to raise the Trajan Column in Rome, a monument that historians regard as the birth certificate of the Romanian people. As my illustrious predecessor, the leading diplomat of the period between the two world wars in Europe, the Foreign Minister of Romania, Nicolae Titulescu, used to recall, the cradle of the Romanian people is Transylvania.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“I feel the need to recall for representatives at this session of the General Assembly how strongly attached to the cause of peace and civilisation my country has been throughout its tortuous history. Its Latin identity, its Christian religion and its vocation for tolerance - a sine qua non of democracy - have been the mainspring of its unabated attachment to those supreme ends of human endeavour. Situated, by the will of God, at the crossroads not only of great cultures but also of great empires, the Romanians are inheritors of the ancient Dacia, of Rome and of Byzantium. It has never been their fault that their land has on more than one occasion been a theatre of war.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Notions directly or indirectly connected to the cold-war Manichean language are already well behind us. Some others - such as neutrality and non-alignment - seem to need new definitions. New notions - and the concept of a new world order is the best example - have become part of our daily political language. It goes without saying, therefore, that the new climate does not offer solutions to the many problems the world of the 1990s is confronted with. None the lees, it has created a more favourable international political environment for cooperation and understanding. The challenge before us is to bring about, in each and every field of human activity, proper conditions for improvement of the human condition all over the world.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)