YouSaid · the spoken record

Gros Espiell

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS GROS ESPIELL

lines on the record: 97
first: 1990-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“Uruguay, a State that cherishes peace, a founding Member of the United Nations, respectful of a democratic and pluralist law based on solidarity, is today taking part in this Assembly in the same spirit as always determined to cooperate in building a world governed by the law of nations, just and peace-loving, with a universal international Organization capable of ensuring development and human rights while effectively and actively guaranteeing peace and security.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“I cannot fail to mention the major effort my country has been making, together with Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, to establish a common market of the South in 1995. The various processes laid down in the Treaty of Asuncion and in the timetable adopted by the Presidents of the four States parties at the meeting in Las LeSas, Argentina, are being fully implemented. Thus, the process of subregional integration has already become the axis round which revolve our policies of development, renewal, openness and modernization, prompting us to look to the future with renewed optimism and conviction.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“What is urgently needed is a determined effort aimed at institutional and operational revitalization and the restoration of the indispensable credibility of the United Nations so that the Organization can fill the great institutional void that currently exists in the field of international economic relations and can successfully discharge its responsibilities. Only thus will we manage to lay the groundwork for the more constructive and effective international cooperation that would make it possible to halt and reverse the adverse trends that prevail in the economic field. In this regard, my country gives particular importance to the role UNCTAD is called upon to play as the forum to further international economic relations that are conducive to development.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Within the United Nations, the current process of revitalization and restructuring the Organization in the economic and social fields must be seen as constructive. In this regard, we welcome the results of the eighth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and those of the first meeting of the revamped Economic and Social Council, held in New York last July. This process of revitalization must be pursued and intensified. The United Nations cannot stay on the sidelines of policy formulation with regard to the most important economic, financial and trade issues.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Failure in the Uruguay Round would be very serious and would trigger serious adverse repercussions for the world economy as a whole. It would send an extremely negative signal to economic operators, would open the doors to unilateralism and to relations based upon power, and would lead to an escalation of protectionism and an intensification of trade conflicts. Thus, we must urgently call upon all participants in the Uruguay Round and, in particular, to those countries responsible for the main disagreements pending, to join their efforts and to make their positions more flexible so as to conclude the negotiations quickly and satisfactorily, with equitable results that would promote the liberalization of trade and avoid protectionist discrimination.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“On the one hand, efforts have been made in the context of the Uruguay Round aimed at guaranteeing an open international marketplace through a process of liberalizing and expanding trade, while strengthening multilateral rules and discipline within the context of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). On the other hand, great economic blocs have emerged, in whose hands are concentrated most of the world's wealth, major trade flows, investment flows and flows of technological know-how. If these blocs wish to move towards development and general progress, they will have to evolve as open markets. I am convinced this evolution will depend on what happens or fails to happen in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations of GATT, which today have become all but paralysed and are seriously jeopardized.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“While the developing countries are redoubling their efforts at achieving adjustment, liberalization, deregulation and adaptation to new world realities, recessionary trends and low rates of growth in the industrialized countries, their bloated budgetary deficits, their increasing levels of indebtedness, the resurgence of their protectionist policies and the lack of coordination among their monetary and parity policies are factors creating major counterweights to any revitalization of the world economy, to any increase in trade and change in trade policy and to world-wide capital flows. All this highlights the need for a better analysis and greater coordination of economic policies the world over. In recent years we have witnessed a major process of reorganization in world trade, owing to two major trends unfolding side by side.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Just as early in the 1980s the problem was the external debt situation in the developing countries, at the beginning of the 1990s one can say that it is the inconsistencies in the macroeconomic and trade policies that jeopardize world economic growth and international monetary stability.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Specific proof of Uruguay's priority interest in environmental problems is that we have agreed that the next meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Basel Convention on Toxic and Hazardous Wastes should be held in our country. The changes that have been progressively noted in the political arena stand in dramatic contrast to the adverse trends that are ever more exacerbating international economic relations. We view with concern the fact that the crucial issue of development would appear to have been relegated to the back-burner amongst issues on the international economic agenda.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We will consider the most opportune time and place for giving practical effect to our initiative, even contributing a draft convention. At the same time, this approach will have to be complemented by implementation of the plan of action agreed upon in Agenda 21. We know this objective implies collecting huge financial resources and adopting large-scale measures of technology transfers. We trust that the developed countries that have accepted the principle of shared but differentiated responsibility will find the political will needed for taking the lead in this effort. While appearing to be a great sacrifice, this action is an investment that brooks no delay for preserving the present and ensuring the future.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Governments will have to agree to transform into legally binding obligations the principles of conduct, liability and compensation emanating from the Stockholm Declaration and later endorsed and developed in the Rio Declaration, which are considerably more than moral obligations. While today they are obligations stemming from international ordinary law, they are, moreover, authentic criteria embodied in jus cogens, and are valid eroa omnes. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, it is time to avoid ambiguous interpretations as to the real juridical value of these obligations. The President of Uruguay, in his address delivered at the Rio Conference, stated the determination of my country to propose the codification of those principles in a binding legal instrument.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Although those documents are major contributions, the polluting' activities that threaten our present and jeopardize our future have not stopped with their signing and will not stop once their hopefully rapid entry into force has occurred. We are all aware that the success or the failure of the process of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) hinges on the total and effective implementation of those commitments. The road to Rio was difficult. However, more arduous still will be the road to be travelled from Rio on. States will have to shoulder their legal responsibilities and to implement the actual measures laid down in Agenda 21.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The need to achieve economic development on terms compatible with conserving the environment is a priority objective for our country. We are concerned at the fact that the Rio Conference did not result in the adoption of more specific and effective commitments. What concerns us far more, however, is the risk that the principles enshrined in the Rio Declaration and in the programme of action agreed upon in Agenda 21 might remain a kind of catalogue of good intentions without any practical and effective application. The solemn adoption of those documents, and even the signing of the Conventions on biodiversity and climatic change, which Uruguay will shortly ratify, are not going to halt the progressive deterioration in the environment.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We welcome the fact that this concern caused this initiative to be included in the "Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277) put before us by the Secretary-General, and that it has been approved by the Economic and Social Council. Because of its modi operandi that pay no attention to frontiers and because of the way it is organized, drug trafficking has become one of the most serious types of international crime. Uruguay insists that this form of modern-day aggression must be combated in all its various phases and manifestations. The capacity of the United Nations to act must be strengthened in such a way as to complement and assist the concerted action which our own countries must take by means of regional as much as global bilateral and multilateral instruments.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Uruguay hopes that the holding of the forthcoming World Conference on Human Rights will be a historic landmark for the future in terms of respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms. Global stability is generally and permanently threatened by the vast amount and extent of grinding poverty. Apart from the fundamental, ethical reasons that inspire us all, there are security considerations that should make us tackle this widespread situation as a whole. This is why the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have decided to support the initiative put forward by our sister republic of Chile that a world summit on social development should be held in 1995.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The affirmation and dissemination of that culture of human rights is the great challenge that mankind must meet in the decades ahead. The resurgence amongst us, in what for us is the cradle of Western civilization, of racism, racial intolerance and animosity rooted in ethnic, religious and cultural differences is cause for great alarm. These manifestations are compounded by episodes, not that far distant geographically, of forced population transfers, the appearance of detention camps and the commission of atrocities and practices that once again amount to a shameful blot on our contemporary civilization. The international community cannot close its eyes to these things, nor fail to act in the face of this terrible and unacceptable situation.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Furthermore, it is a principle of jus cogens which, if violated, entails international answerability and renders null all legal instruments contrary to this imperative law which originates in the will of the international community as a whole. The protection of human rights at world and regional levels has made signal progress in the law of nations of today, and the process of improvement must continue. It is not, however, solely by developing international instruments for the protection of human rights that we shall achieve generalized respect for human rights. We must work hard to universalize a culture of human rights that would uproot from people's minds and behaviour intolerance, violence, hatred, and contempt for the dignity that each and every individual on the planet naturally has.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The recent judgment handed down by the International Court of Justice concerning a territorial dispute between Honduras and El Salvador, and accepted by both parties; the submission to an arbitration tribunal of a border dispute between Argentina and Chile; and the new and positive spirit reigning in the dialogue between Ecuador and Peru aimed at solving the long-standing conflict that has pitted these two fraternal countries against each other bear witness to the example Latin America is setting. The duty all the States that make up the international community have to guarantee and protect human rights does not flow only from the international obligations that result from treaties in force; respect for human rights is born of the United Nations Charter and of the Universal Declaration.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Latin America, which today is a continent of peace and is resolving territorial or border disputes by legal and peaceful means, where there are no morbid outbreaks of xenophobia and racial hatred, and which is fighting, as never before in its history, to solve the problems of its indigenous peoples and of human rights, has a particular talent for setting up this necessary world-wide and regional coordination.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“These amendments, which have already been adopted and have also resulted in France's ratification of Additional Protocol I, have ensured that the first nuclear-weapon-free zone, covering all of Latin America and the Caribbean, has come into real, total and full existence. Uruguay firmly supports the adoption of the Convention on chemical weapons developed by the Disarmament Conference. The mushrooming of regional armed conflicts compels us to give thought to new or renewed forms of cooperation in and coordination of world-wide and regional efforts to resolve differences and to enable us to act in the face of threats to and aggression against peace and security.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“To consolidate and guarantee international security, there can be no delay in moving ahead with the process of disarmament that is currently under way. It must be expanded integrally in breadth and in depth. We must halt any new spiralling of the arms race, whether this be on the global, regional or local level. Along those lines, Latin America and the Caribbean have been marking this particular phase in the evolution of international relations with a noteworthy effort to complete what in and of itself already constitutes a vast zone of peace. I should like to highlight the notable effort undertaken by Latin America, in which Uruguay has participated actively from the very outset, to amend the Tlatelolco Treaty in such a way as to enable Cuba to sign it, Argentina to ratify it and Brazil and Chile to submit their reservations to it.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Moreover, we welcome the fact that this report incorporates a proposal that Uruguay has always advocated, namely the wish that all our Member States unreservedly accept the competency of the International Court of Justice. We do not doubt the need to strengthen peace-keeping operations. In that connection, our country intends to preach by example. Uruguay has now increased to unprecedented levels the number of members of its armed forces and police forces made available to the United Nations, as measured against the size of our military forces and our population. By way of example, more than 900 members of our armed forces are currently participating in the peace-keeping operations in Cambodia, and a general from our Republic is commanding the United Nations contingent in Kashmir.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This concept of humanitarianist universalism precludes the recognition of any legitimacy in the exercise of power by any individual Power outside the framework of international law. The report entitled "An Agenda for Peace" (A/47/227) presents in an organic and intelligent fashion a set of proposals to implement, within the new international context, a systematic process of preventive diplomacy. We fundamentally share its goals and the essential aspects of the global view upon which it draws. We must give the Secretary-General the political backing he needs for him to act with the necessary flexibility and effectiveness, in line with the concepts that he has set forth. We agree with the need to seek a greater balance between the Security Council and the General Assembly.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In this day and age, faced as we are with the global dimensions of the problems of peace and security, and confronted with situations that demand universal answers situations that it is impossible to cope with through partial or territorially limited approaches, such as issues relating to the environment, drug trafficking and terrorism we must rethink the question of sovereignty: not so as to weaken its essence, which continues to represent the underpinning of our international Organization, but rather to adapt it to current requirements, which are necessary for us to build a world based on peace and solidarity, and to act on the basis of the defence and protection of the interests of the global community as a whole, a precept that, according to Francisco de Vitoria, lies at the roots of the rights of peoples.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We have before us an invaluable working document prepared by the Secretary-General. That document, with whose principles and approach we fully agree, gives rise to thoughts that we cannot fail to voice here.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The traditional and unswerving friendship of the Uruguayan people with the Arab and Jewish peoples, along with the excellent diplomatic relations our Government maintains with the Arab countries and with the State of Israel, are all factors that induce us to lend our vigorous support to the common guest for peace in that region, a peace that must be based on guaranteed security for all the States in the region, on respect for territorial integrity, on the right to self-determination of all peoples and on the full applicability of human rights. The Government of Uruguay here reaffirms its determination to contribute to peaceful and harmonious fellowship between Arabs and Jews, both essential protagonists of civilization, and reaffirms as well its commitment to deepening its ties with the States of the Middle East.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“That duty, which implies an acknowledgement of the corresponding right, must be conceived of and implemented within the context of international law, without doing violence to other essential principles. Humanitarian aid must be decided upon by competent international bodies, by implementation of law, and must not serve as a cover for disguised or veiled forms of unlawful intervention, whether on an individual or a collective basis. We welcome the encouraging turn that in recent weeks has been taking place in the talks aimed at bringing the peace process in the Middle East back on track.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This did not involve a case of exclusion, nor a situation such as those envisaged under Articles 5 and 6 in the Charter, but rather involved the finding that it was impossible, on the basis of incontrovertible facts, that that State could automatically take over the seat of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This means that the new State will have to apply for admission as a Member of the United Nations, pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 of the Charter. The situation in that region, along with the tragedy being endured in Somalia and elsewhere, compels us to reaffirm the duty, based on the principles of solidarity and cooperation, to provide humanitarian aid.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Furthermore, we view with alarm the extraordinary introduction of the racial factor into international relations and the emergence of the invocation of doctrines such as that of "ethnic cleansing" to justify serious violations of international law and of human rights. We therefore once again most forcefully reiterate our condemnation of those practices and our exhortation to implement steps collectively worked out, in the context of international law, that enhance the effectiveness of United Nations mechanisms across the board. The decision adopted by the General Assembly on 19 September as to the status of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the United Nations was supported by Uruguay. It was the only position that could indeed be taken in the light of the circumstances.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In our view, it is the responsibility of the international community, in the face of that situation, to ensure the finding of a solution that goes beyond the national interests involved and beyond consideration of our geographical distance from or proximity to the conflict. We view with grave concern the atrocities that have been committed, the reports of the concentration of civilians in detention camps, as well as the horrendous violations of human rights and the persistent disregard for international humanitarian law that are taking place in that region. We see how cardinal principles of international law are being violated, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty, which leads to disregard for the true and genuine meaning of self-determination.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The important point is, essentially, that each and every one of the States of the international community should, in accordance with its capability for action and hence with its responsibilities, adapt its conduct to the principles of the Charter, which are the basic principles of law and ethics; and those principles should be strictly complied with, making of that form of conduct a consistent practice. This year we find ourselves facing a new and grave quaking of international security as a result of the outbreak in Europe of the most brutal conflict to take place on the old continent since the Second World War.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We said and today we have even more reason to reiterate that the spectacular changes in the former distribution of power would not necessarily lead us to the heralded new international order, although such changes opened up the possibility of our being able to achieve strict, rigorous observance of the fundamental principles of the Charter. That prospect gave us a sense of realistic optimism with regard to the future, though we never lost sight of all the negative elements in existence today that stand in the way of the full acknowledgement of the existence of a true "order". The success of the effective functioning of the mechanisms of collective security that were put into operation during the Gulf crisis is not enough.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali, to whom my people and country have had numerous occasions to express their esteem and their hopes, as he undertakes his difficult and very important mission as the new Secretary-General, continuing the brilliant work of Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar. Last year, taking note of the dizzying acceleration of world events, we put forward our views on the consequences of the collapse of what was called the old order that was born during the cold war, and our view regarding the attitude that the international community should assume in the face of the new and emerging international situation.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at this session. In your election can be seen an unequivocal indication of rejoicing at the establishment of democracy in your country. It is also fitting today for us to welcome the States of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to our community of nations. Their participation as Member States guarantees observance of the principle of universality, an essential element of the very life and existence of the Organization. We congratulate Mr.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Last year the General Assembly had a productive session under the expert presidency of Foreign Minister Guido de Marco, whom I am pleased to congratulate on his work. This year we have momentous decisions to take at a difficult time, when we are faced with challenges requiring immediate solutions. The election of Ambassador Shihabi, with the experience ha has gained as the representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, to guide our debates allows us to forecast another successful session. I am convinced that his skills and knowledge of international affairs, along with his keen sense of justice, will enable him to lead our work to a successful conclusion.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Uruguay is particularly interested in the World Conference on Human Rights scheduled for 1993, which must make a major contribution to the full, general and universal application of human rights. Two recent events in Central America deserve to be highlighted. Uruguay hails the agreements between Guatemala and Belize, as well as the agreement which paves the way towards peace in El Salvador, as truly major achievements. In conclusion, I should like to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, for the work he has done. His activities over the last year, brilliantly described in his report to the General Assembly, have made an exceptional contribution to peace, security and the future of the United Nations. He has earned the thanks of the international community.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“We are still faced with some atrocious realities. Very serious violations persist and armed conflicts, both domestic and international, continue to be a source of attacks on human rights and international humanitarian law. The human rights situation must remain a priority issue for the United Nations. The principle of non-intervention cannot be a protective shield behind which human rights can be violated. But stating that plain truth does not mean repudiating the principle of non-intervention nor does it imply accepting a right of intervention based on a political and self-interested assessment by one or several States. This must not be confused with the collective duty, decided upon by legal means, to provide help and relief when serious emergencies arise in the field of human rights.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Human rights must be protected without discrimination, free of any element of political selectivity and on the basis of the strict application of international law. We must banish from the United Nations all inaccurate descriptions based on hatred, such as the one which in 1975 mistakenly equated Zionism with racism, in General Assembly resolution 3379 (XXX). Uruguay, which has always been against this infamous resolution and voted against its adoption, is now in favour of its repeal. The mistake of 1975 must be emended. By so doing, we shall pay a tribute to the truth, rectify an unfair and offensive judgement and contribute to the peace process in the Middle East. International democratisation has been translated into a global improvement of the world human rights situation. But the general picture is far from satisfactory.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The Round must end in December with a positive outcome, with reasonable, globally balanced achievements. If it fails, we shall have to admit our shameful inability to achieve, in today's world, formulas that encourage free and non-discriminatory international trade, that banish protectionism and that become factors for vigorous development. Respect for and promotion of human rights is the basis for peace. So long as there is any place in the world where the dignity of human beings is not respected, so long as persecution and discrimination persist, so long as political rights are not recognised and guaranteed and so long as periodic, free elections are not held, the advancement of mankind will be impossible and the degree of economic, social and cultural development of individuals will be uneven.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The first half of 1991 has been devoted to getting the negotiations back on track. When the trade negotiating committee met, at the end of July, there was a renewed will to continue working from September on, with a view to finishing work by the end of this year. In this context, the commitment by the Heads of State or Government of the Seven at their London summit was very encouraging. The Cairns group, of which Uruguay is a member, has already stated that the Round will not and successfully if a satisfactory solution concerning the liberalization of agricultural trade is not reached. We are starting resolutely upon the last leg of the most important trade negotiations ever undertaken. We shall support anything that contributes to success.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Five years have passed since the launching of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in Punta del Este aimed at ending the waves of protectionism which are chipping away at trade. Last December, we believed we were at the end of the road towards an equitable agreement which would satisfy the legitimate aspirations of over 100 participating countries. Unfortunately, the meeting in Brussels, which I presided over as Chairman of the trade negotiating committee at the ministerial level, was a failure because it was not possible to conclude the Round. Fundamental differences on vital issues arose and, when the session was adjourned, the Director-General of GATT was entrusted with the task of carrying out consultations aimed at restarting negotiations as soon as possible.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Drug trafficking and terrorism, which are being shown to be closely linked, are continuing to exact a tragic toll in destruction and death, violating fundamental human rights and debasing the basic principles of civilized coexistence. To combat these two scourges effectively, every means international cooperation car provide must be used. Alongside the concern generated by the alarming expansion of the illicit use of drugs and the power of the drug dealers, it is encouraging to see how, through international cooperation, effective measures are being taken on the basis of shared responsibility between consuming and producing countries.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“This responsibility may be common or shared, but we must not forget the consequences which a policy of uncontrolled industrialisation which wan totally foreign to the developing world has had, and for which the developing world cannot be held solely responsible. This implies that there must inevitably be a process of codification of International environmental law. The future charter of the Earth, to be adopted at the Rio Conference, must be a mandatory, legally binding document, with the goal of creating the necessary conditions for sustainable development and ensuring the right of future generations to life and well-being.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Apart from the conventions now being prepared we must have another, and not just a simple statement, which spells out the fundamental principles and criteria in this matter. The convention must set out criteria for setting up a legal system to resolve environmental disputes and judge offences or crimes by means of a specialised Judicial body or chamber. The bases on which responsibility for violating the duties inherent in environmental protection in to be implemented and the ways in which this may be done must be set out. Polluting emissions come mainly from developed countries, and they must bear the main responsibility for them.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“It would therefore be a mistake to try to solve the environmental crisis without paying due attention to economic and social problems, and the Rio Conference must reflect this relationship. Uruguay joined the countries of the area in preparing the Tlatelolco platform - adopted last March - and the Guadalajara declaration, adopted by the Heads of State and Government of Ibero-America, Spain and Portugal; those are statements of positions, both political and technical, for the negotiations which will culminate in 1992. We are now at a critical stage, only 10 months away from Rio 1992. Uruguay believes that it is vital to prevent Rio from becoming just another Stockholm. The general principles that will apply to environmental protection must be set out in the form of a convention.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“The fundamental importance of the environment issue at a time when the Conference on Environment and Development: scheduled for Rio de Janeiro in 1992 la being prepared compels us to specify Uruguay's position on the matter. The question of the preservation of the environment and its relationship with development is a global issue which must be faced in all its aspects ethical, cultural, political, economic, social, technical and legal. The issue is global not only in itself, but also because of the need to face up to it with universal measures which go beyond national or sectoral outlooks. The progress of developing countries and the preservation of the environment are intimately and necessarily related issues.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Uruguay hopes that this dual admission will stand as a symbol of the will to strengthen the universality of the United Nations as an indispensable element in ensuring peace and security on a global level. The admission of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, heartily supported by Uruguay, is the expression of the international recognition of the correct example of the right to self-determination and the ratification by history of the fact that the secret protocols of 1939 and the annexation of those Republics by force are null and void. The entry of the Marshall Islands and Micronesia into the United Nations is a historic event that exemplifies the present stage of the historic process of decolonization undertaken by the United Nations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Technological progress is a key factor in the solution of North-South tensions and would be of benefit for the developed and industrialised countries. That is why Uruguay proposed the creation of a common market of knowledge, a project that is already under way at the regional level in the framework of the Organisation of American States. It should also be considered at the universal level. The necessarily universal character of the United Nations means that all States of the world should be Members of the Organisation. The admission of both Koreas not only reaffirms that trend but reveals the possibilities that exist for solving a problem that constituted one negative aspect of international relations.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“In a small and interdependent world the coexistence of two opposite worlds, that of abundance and waste on the one hand, and that of poverty and hunger on the other, will inevitably generate violence. Growing wealth and growing poverty are the paradox of today's world. Poverty weakens the cohesiveness of societies; it destroys the foundation of human right s and perverts the environment. Hence the importance of social issues in development. It is necessary, therefore, to begin to prepare for the social summit that will be held within the next few years. The absence of scientific and technological progress is one of the reasons for the winning of the gulf that separates the developed and the developing worlds.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)
“Among the many measures that might be undertaken in that regard, I would emphasise the importance of making greater use of the Court as a consultative body. That could be achieved if the General Assembly granted the Secretary-General the authority to request such opinions. We turn now to the third key issues: international cooperation for development. The international economic scene, with its unequal and unfair distribution of wealth and opportunities, has shown itself impervious to the dynamics of change that have shaken the political order. International peace and security will never be assured as long as economic insecurity persists. Peace is not merely the absence of war.”
1991-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 46 (1991)