YouSaid · the spoken record

Dimitrij RUPEL

lines on the record: 29
first: 2005-09-24
most recent: 2006-09-24
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

“I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight, in front of this distinguished audience, the importance of the role of small countries. Their orientations, activities and possibilities can contribute significantly to multilateralism.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Slovenia is playing its part in contributing to the immediate relief of the situation in Lebanon through its contribution of troops to the United Nations peacekeeping force there. Slovenia welcomes the progress made towards the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. However, there are some aspects of mine action on which we should continue to focus: dealing with the universality of the Convention, the clearing of minefields and providing assistance to mine victims. Through its International Trust Fund for Demining and 27 06-53329 Mine Victims Assistance, Slovenia is striving to alleviate the humanitarian threat that anti-personnel landmines still pose to the safety, health and lives of local civilian populations.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“To facilitate insight into regional energy and stability issues, the international conference entitled Caspian Outlook 2008, recently organized in Slovenia under the auspices of the Bled Strategic Forum, offered an interesting experience in terms of how such issues can be addressed at the regional level by parties that share the same concern but look at it from different perspectives. At the end of the day, all interested partners have much to gain from political stability, reliable flows of energy and stronger partnerships. The Middle East crisis once again calls for the focused attention of the international community. Attempts to address this problem in all its complexity and with the involvement of many countries should continue with renewed energy.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Last year, Slovenia chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; today, we begin our year at the helm of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and a little more than a year from now we shall assume the presidency of the European Union (EU). As a member, and current Chair, of the Human Security Network, a group of nations with diverse regional affiliations, we are looking forward to deepening the understanding of the concept of human security in order to be better equipped to overcome the complex problems of the modern world. One of the items on the agenda of the Slovenian EU presidency will certainly be energy security.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Is there a general clash of civilizations? My own answer is “no”. On the other hand, we should not underestimate local and temporary clashes that may serve purposes far from genuine cultural or religious issues. There is one welcome and necessary clash: the clash of our common and global civilization against illegitimate radical groups that strive for power by means of terror and that abuse religious beliefs and ethnic bonds for their own particular agendas. We have to be aware of this when dealing with such issues in our own countries and stand ready to assist each other if we are to preserve the universal values of civilization.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“However, we should be careful not to develop that concept into a clearinghouse for one set of standards. If so, failure is a certainty. A dialogue between two sides each convinced of the absolute truth of its own existence is impossible. When dealing with subjective or intimate concepts like faith, respect and individual dignity, we can only hope to encourage debate within individual systems, not between them. In the latter case, one would be imposing one’s truth on the value system of another. Rather, a dialogue of cultures should be a venue for cross-cultural discussion on objective matters like democratic political systems, sustainable development, security and energy. The promotion of dialogue on matters of faith, culture or civilization is an indispensable tool to create bridges between different cultures.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In the past, in Europe and elsewhere, mighty dynasties or nations, driven by the ambition to rule over weaker nations and minorities, practised imposed integration. Modern integration no longer rests on subordination; it depends on solidarity and cooperation. Modern nations cultivate complementarity. In the future, the United Nations should encourage new projects and provide an efficient framework for the management of religious diversity and dialogue between cultures. We could then learn from countries that had experienced a successful transition from a central and autocratic system to a decentralized and democratic system. Essentially, we are concerned with sustained assistance in the transition to democracy and coexistence within multi- ethnic or multicultural systems. I support the idea of the dialogue of cultures.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Quite the opposite: a lot of them have progressed, democratized and reintegrated, or have expressed the desire to integrate in a different way and have positioned themselves on a new level. Many former republics of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia have thus become, or intend to become, members of new multinational systems, such as the European Union. 06-53329 26 Occasionally, we still hear expressions of hesitation and fear: we should not, they say, sacrifice our national interests for the sake of integration. One of the problems of the international community today is complex relations within multinational, multi-ethnic and multicultural systems. The question is how to facilitate the productive coexistence of national, ethnic, religious and other minorities.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We are confident, nevertheless, that all those involved will summon up sufficient courage to take a critical step forward and thus enable all ethnic groups in that region to coexist peacefully and cooperate. We hope that the integration process in Europe will provide the appropriate vehicle for the stabilization of the region. The disintegration of rigid systems like those of the Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia has produced a number of new States and new Members of the United Nations. The process has sometimes been called Balkanization. But a closer look will reveal that many of the newborn countries, contrary to expectations, have not regressed.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Many crises are evolving as we speak, some of which the international community will try to resolve, while giving less attention to others. The suffering of the civilian population in Darfur calls for our immediate efforts. We should not allow the tragedy that occurred in Rwanda or Bosnia and Herzegovina to be repeated in Darfur or anywhere else. Attention to the Western Balkans must not diminish. We are committed to standing by our partners in the region in their endeavours to expand their relationship with the European Union and to facilitate the advent of prosperity for their citizens. Kosovo is now approaching an important and possibly sui generis stage in the peace process. Finding common ground between Serbian and Kosovar Albanian positions and striking a political deal will be difficult.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“At the same time, the sovereignty of States must be understood in the context of contemporary reality. National borders are no longer an excuse for the international community to turn a blind eye to genocide, crimes against humanity and other gross human rights violations. Last year, for the first time world leaders formally and universally affirmed the concept of the responsibility to protect. The 2005 World Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1) provides a detailed framework for individual and collective responsibility, in areas ranging from prevention and protection to rebuilding. We regard the framework as a conceptual breakthrough and wish to stress the need for all members of the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to deliver on the implementation of that responsibility in practice.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Smaller countries rarely threaten or endanger other countries. They have knowledge of small systems and knowledge of minorities within large systems. They can perform special tasks that demand special qualities and particular capabilities such as flexibility, adaptability, a spirit of empathy and cooperation. They can serve as honest brokers. There are a number of successful small and medium-sized countries. They can help each other to assume creative and relevant positions as part of the international community. At the United Nations, we should continue to review the concept of sovereignty. Many fear that the erosion of sovereignty provides grounds for interfering in State internal affairs. Indeed, the potential for misuse is real. History teaches us that checks and balances are necessary in order to shield right against might.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It seems easier for large nations to be great nations. Unfortunately, not all nations are large. That is true of most nations of the world, and it is, of course, true of my country. The implementation of the global partnership for development is a priority of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to which Slovenia is fully committed. The new external financial instruments of the European Union as well as the tenth European Development Fund open a new chapter in the relations of the European Union with developing countries and strengthen Europe’s role as a global partner in development. That is a promising sign of progress in the fulfilment of our commitments under the Millennium Declaration. In order to contribute in an important way, the small countries must make a special effort. We can, in fact, be effective.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The commitment of the Secretary-General to mainstreaming human rights in the work of the Organization and his emphasis on the rule of law in international relations and nationally will remain a permanent legacy. The report “In larger freedom” (A/59/2005) contains a fair vision of the global responsibility that we share and reminds us of the inevitable challenges that lie ahead. 25 06-53329 We live in a tightly interconnected, interdependent and transparent world. It is logical and it is right that nations should support and help each other. What place in the world is more appropriate for that recommendation than the United Nations? All nations and all people should be asking themselves how they can help each other. It appears that assistance and contributions from affluent countries are more effective.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Let me first congratulate Ms. Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa on her election to the presidency of the General Assembly. We believe that under her guidance we will continue the reform process laid out in the 2005 World Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1). Our warm appreciation also goes to Mr. Jan Eliasson, President at the sixtieth session, for his inspiring leadership. Let me take the opportunity to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his brilliant opening speech a few days ago (see A/61/PV.3), and for his decade of dedicated work for the United Nations. Slovenia appreciates the role of the Secretary- General in helping to expand our understanding of pressing issues, such as the protection of civilians and the responsibility to protect.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“As Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), I call for the elaboration of a binding framework for permanent cooperation between the United Nations and that important regional organization as soon as possible. For 30 years now, OSCE has proved effective in very sensitive regions of the world. This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which established OSCE. Thirty years ago, the integration of East and West began. Today, our main duty is to integrate civilizations. One of the areas that should be further developed is strengthening dialogue among civilizations. It may be that the supreme importance of our outcome document rests on that dialogue.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Educating people about human rights and dignity is a prerequisite for this goal, and we are thrilled to see that the need for such education is properly reflected in the outcome document. As a member State of the Human Security Network we are pleased that the issue of human security has been included in the outcome document of the High-level Plenary Meeting and will continue to be discussed in the General Assembly. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations deserves our priority attention in future. As experiences from a variety of geographic environments and conditions have shown — in particular in South-Eastern Europe and Africa — synergetic cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations can be very effective.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In the course of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly, Slovenia will continue to actively support the establishment of a strong and efficient new Human Rights Council. I have already mentioned the dialogue of civilizations. That dialogue should be based on universal, fundamental values. No differentiation between “us” and “them” should be tolerated. Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the manifestation of our common fundamental values. They are the best answer for ensuring a dignified life in our globalized, fast-paced and increasingly unsafe world. On the basis of our wealth of traditions and history and creative diversity, all individuals should be informed of and be able to realize their rights and freedoms, as this is the best long-term foundation for peace and development.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Slovenia wants a standing Council that is a principal organ of the United Nations, able to deal with all human rights concerns in all countries at all times. We want a Council that better addresses rights and freedoms, without double standards. We want a 33 Council that could convene and act in every instance of massive violation of human rights. We want a Council able to make recommendations to other organs and agencies of the United Nations system so that human rights are truly integrated in all areas of the Organization. Finally, we want a Council that reflects the diversity of the modern world and that gives a proper voice to civil society through non-governmental organizations.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It is our understanding that the Security Council shares the responsibility to protect and that the use of the veto in the Council is fundamentally incompatible with that responsibility. We welcome the establishment of a Democracy Fund and intend to contribute to it. We strongly support a strengthened role for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The strengthened role of the Office, to be financed from the United Nations regular budget, is good news for the realization of human rights on the ground. The level of agreement on the Human Rights Council is a disappointment. Numerous countries wanted and expected more. Unfortunately, for the moment, we are left without the necessary vision of a new Council, even though, in the preparations for the summit, we formulated good proposals for the Council’s structure and mandate.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It is precisely universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in the fight against terrorism, that will ensure the success of that fight and preserve the democratic and free principles of those societies which are being targeted by terrorists. Slovenia welcomes the affirmation of the principle of the responsibility to protect. By endorsing that principle, world leaders have made a conceptual breakthrough in the prevention of future tragedies like those of Srebrenica, Rwanda and Darfur. For the first time, we have recognized our national and collective responsibility to act in cases of genocide and ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Slovenia considers the responsibility to protect to be an integral part of national responsibility to protect a country’s people against atrocities.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Terrorism cannot tolerate the complex and paradoxical character of modern societies. Measures in the fight against terrorism are aimed at those whose actions deny and reject human rights as a fundamental value of modern societies. By examining terrorists’ attitudes and the meaning of terrorism, we should be able to define terrorism. An agreed definition of terrorism would provide clarity and help better ensure human rights. The more fully human rights are protected, the more successful we will be in our fight against terrorism. Human rights will be more fully protected when terrorism is without protection. Tolerating or justifying terrorism undermines human rights. That does not mean, however, that we can fail to respect human rights in waging our fight against terrorism.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We are rather disappointed that the outcome document does not include provisions on non-proliferation and disarmament, and we hope that work on those issues will continue after the summit. Terrorist attacks on innocent people fundamentally contradict the value systems of modern countries, in particular human rights, as formulated and stated in international conventions and declarations. Terrorist attacks are a violation of human rights, which are the foundation of modern societies; they represent an assault on the very essence of those societies and thus negate their very modernity. This negation is connected with the complex and paradoxical nature of the concept of modernity. It seems that the fundamental frustration caused by this complex and paradoxical nature drives terrorists to commit radical actions.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In that context, Slovenia, one of the 10 new EU members and a new donor, committed itself to attaining the target of 0.33 per cent of GDP for development aid. We underline the need for the long-term commitment and responsibility of all countries in order to attain the Millennium Development Goals. We are continuously surprised at the changing nature of the threats facing each and every country. The concept of security includes both State security and the security of the individual. Thus, it is important to effectively address various issues, in particular disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the problem of the proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons, which affects numerous countries.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The fact is, we live in a globalized and interdependent world in which we all are responsible for our security. It is significant that the outcome document warns that there can be no development without security and no security without development, and that both development and security depend to a 32 great degree on respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Many efforts have been made to address the sources of suffering in the world. United Nations Member States must continue to support efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals. Twenty-five European Union (EU) member States committed themselves to the target of allocating 0.7 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to official development assistance by 2015.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“There were many discussions and diverging views on those two questions in relation to the outcome document. However, we cannot be successful if we have difficulty even defining terrorism or establishing the Human Rights Council. There is some indecisiveness in the outcome document in that respect. With respect to terrorism, the document speaks of dialogue and understanding among civilizations. With respect to the Human Rights Council, the outcome document proposes holding further negotiations to establish, among other things, its mandate and working methods. In today’s world, change and certainty are closely connected and interdependent. Attaining a balance between them involves values, rules, laws and the institutions of human dignity, equality and democracy — in short, human rights.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“That document’s purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations and consolidate its mission in the modern world. The reform of the Organization is of the utmost importance and was initiated at the right moment. This is a time of change for several international organizations and institutions. All are certainly aware of the current transformation of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Such changes are difficult. We encounter obstacles such as the rejection of the European Constitutional Treaty in two referendums. The effectiveness of the machinery and the mission of the United Nations should also be improved through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the fight against terrorism.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“His determined leadership, his insight into the current issues of the modern world and his enduring courage enabled him to guide the General Assembly in its sixtieth year, which promises to be a year of the greatest significance for the future of the Organization. We have assembled here to consider together in good faith how we should respond to the challenges of modern times and how our Organization should be adapted to the needs of the twenty-first century. We are here to act on the basis of our best understanding and our belief in the achievements of creative development for the well-being of the people of the modern world, to quote, Sir, your illustrious compatriot, Dag Hammarskjöld. The outcome document contains numerous meaningful and useful ideas.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its sixtieth session. I would like to express to you the full support of the Republic of Slovenia as you carry out that extremely important and responsible task. May you have much vision, courage and resolve as you preside over the General Assembly during this anniversary year. Mr. Sardenberg (Brazil), Vice-President, took the Chair. At the same time, Sir, I would like to express our sincere recognition and gratitude for the efforts of your predecessor, Mr. Jean Ping, President at the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)