YouSaid · the spoken record

Father LINI

lines on the record: 73
first: 1983-09-24
most recent: 1990-09-24
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

“Perhaps its greatest value, however, in its clear statement that responsibility for the development of the South lies in the South and in the hands of the peoples of the South. We fully agree. In conclusion, I wish to join in commending the excellent work of Mr, Javier Peres de Cuellar, our Secretary-General. Today we stand on the threshold of a new era in international relations. To the Secretary-General and the other members of the Secretariat we offer our thanks for their tireless efforts in helping to bring us to that threshold. Now it is for us, the Member States, to take the final decisive step which will open the door to new opportunities and close the door on all our old hostilities and antagonisms.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“The recently concluded second United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries was a success, even though it was not possible to fulfil all the very high expectations of those who participated. France, which hosted the meeting, continues to play a positive role in this area. Gradually, progress is being achieved on some of the key issues. Now we must attempt to implement fully the new Plan of Action. Since its inception, the South Commission, under the chairmanship of the former President of Tanzania, Julius K. Nyerere, has been diligently analysing the problems faced by developing countries, the strategies adopted for dealing with those problems and the lessons to be drawn from past experiences. The report of the South Commission contains many useful recommendations.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“Lebanon continues to be a bruised and battered victim of an endless cycle of violence. Liberia has been deeply shaken by a particularly violent civil conflict. East Timor’s people continue to be forgotten or ignored by many ,ho now speak forcefully on the Persian Gulf. One can only hope that there will soon be an opportunity for the people of Western Sahara finally to determine their own future. The potential of a United Nations free of confrontation is highly visible in the progress made towards the settlement of the Cambodia issue. We congratulate the Cambodian parties and encourage them to continue their efforts on behalf of the people of their country, who have suffered so long.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“It is tragic for Kuwait; it is tragic for Iraq and for every other country in the region. It is also tragic for the innocent civilians from all countries trapped by circumstances in Kuwait and Iraq. One encouraging sign is that there has been almost universal condemnation of the invasion and continued occupation. Had the nations of the world spoken with similar clarity earlier after similar invasions, Kuwait might perhaps have been spared the fate it now faces. Now that the international community has spoken so unequivocally on the invasion of Kuwait, perhaps others will pause to rethink their own actions. The situation in the Persian Gulf is not the only current regional tragedy. It is merely the on· now occupying centre stage. The Palestine issue is today no nearer to being resolved than it was yesterday.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“We harbour no illusions with respect to the difficulties ahead. The effects of the conflict are already being felt in every corner of the world. Not a single country can escape the consequences of the invasion of Kuwait. Thus, none of us can sit idly by and be spectators. We must attempt to resolve the problem together, or it will consume us all, one by one. Already the economies of many countries, including our own, have been seriously affected. However, we shall continue to support the principles on which the United Nations is based, for without adherence to those principles that will be nothing but international anarchy. Small countries such ш our own would be particularly vulnerable to the appetites of others. There is no doubt that the invasion of Kuwait is a tragic occurrence.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“A larger, militarily more powerful country has invaded and continues to occupy its smaller neighbour. As a result, mankind faces the possibility of yet another war. There will be no winners in such a conflict. There will be only losers. The biggest losers will once again be the children. For many of them, the future will end before it begins. The world cannot accept the invasion and attempted annexation of Kuwait. They are acts that defy every accepted norm of international law and offend everyone's sense of decency. The Government of Vanuatu knows of no deed, whether real or imagined, that could conceivably justify the fate that has befallen Kuwait. We pray that the conflict will be resolved without any further loss of life. However, we know that for this to occur, there must be a remarkable change of course.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“Children are often the first victims of war, the first victims of the drug traffic and the most tragic victims of AIDS, malaria and other crippling and fatal diseases. Unfortunately, children are also often the last to realize benefits from new scientific or technological breakthroughs. Let us take this opportunity to change that. One of the things the nations of the world can do for children, and for everyone else, is to renew our commitment to the rule of law. The recent changes that have swept the entire world from Europe to Africa, to South and Central America, to Asia and to the Pacific demonstrate that there is absolutely no substitute for respect for the rule of law. Today the attention of the entire world is focused on the Persian Gulf.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“That concludes my statement as Chairman of the South Pacific Forum. I shall now make a few observations on behalf of ray own country, Vanuatu. The recently concluded World Summit for Children was a major diplomatic event of potentially enormous social significance. The initiators and organisers are to be commended. But the true measure of the Summit's success does not lie in the number of words written about the meetings or in the number or perceived importance of the Heads of State or Government who participated in them. Rather, the true measure of the Summit's success will be determined by how rapidly we are able to mobilize the resources necessary to guarantee hope for the children of the world.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“Therefore, the Forum believes that a visit to the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Secretary-General, or a specially designated representative of the Secretary-General, could help facilitate the completion of the decolonisation process. Like others, countries of the South Pacific cheered the release from prison of Mr, Nelson Mandela. We have also called upon those who currently govern South Africa to take further steps that would signal a commitment to the profound and irreversible changes necessary to accelerate the process of dismantling the apparatus of apartheid and eliminate its effects. Until such time, the Forum has joined others in calling for the continuation of the functions already imposed against South Africa and exploring other avenues of bringing a rapid end to the system of apartheid.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“As the international community prepares to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the historic Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, we are pleased to note the positive measures being pursued in Hew Caledonia by the French authorities. The Forum has urged all parties involved to maintain their dialogue and to continue promoting a framework for the peaceful evolution of New Caledonia towards an act of self-determination consistent with the principles and practices of the United Nations. The prestige and the structure of the United Nations are now reaching new heights. Accordingly, the objectives of the Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism are clearly within our reach.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“Our concerns have been communicated to the Government of the United States, and we are continuing a constructive dialogue with the United States that centres on those concerns. Without a doubt, our central concern is this specific issue and on our broader conviction that our region should not become a permanent toxic waste disposal centre. On another environmental issue of great importance to the Forum, we have welcomed Japan's decision to cease large-scale drift-net fishing in our region one year in advance of the date stipulated in General Assembly resolution 44,225. This was a very positive measure taken by Japan, and we appreciate its demonstrated sensitivity to our concerns. France has also demonstrated sensitivity with respect to one of the great concerns of countries in our region.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“At a time when the threat of nuclear war between the super-Powers is far less likely now than it ever was, we continue to ask: What sin have we committed? Why must our region be the site for the testing of nuclear devices, particularly now that the cold war has ended? So soon after the highly successful World Summit for Children, we are struck by the irony of having to pose the questions How, may we ask, are we to enhance the development of our children unless we can assure them that the environment we bequeath to them is an environment capable of sustaining life? Another great concern shared by all members of the South Pacific Forum is the planned destruction of existing chemical weapons at Johnston Atoll.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“That document, A,4S,456, in very brief form sets forth some of our major concerns and preoccupations. However, it does not touch upon every single issue that we believe merits the attention of the international community. For example, we highlighted some of our major concerns on environmental issues, including the very real threat posed to the survival of some Pacific island nations by climatic changes and a rise in the sea-level. However, our very deep concern over nuclear testing in the South Pacific is by now well known to every member of the international community and needs no explicit restatement. The testing of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific continues to cause us to fear for the future of our young and for unborn generations.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“Some may consider our geographic location to be remote. However, we are very much a part of today's world, just as we were very much a part of the history of yesterday's world. Like the peoples of every other region, we have our own history and our own cultures. We also share common dreams and common expectations, just as we share common fears and common frustrations. The South Pacific Forum, our paramount regional organisation, held its twenty-first annual meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on 31 July and 1 August. The region's Heads of Government addressed a number of important political, economic and environmental concerns. These have been set forth in our communiqué, which we have requested the Secretary-General to circulate as an official document of the General Assembly.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“All of us prefer to live in peace; yet we repeatedly see our lands, our waters and our atmosphere utilised by others to test their horrible weapons of mass destruction. All of us share a deep and abiding commitment to the United Nations and to the principles of international democracy. However, we are often struck by the fact that our concerns - and in some instances our very existence - are often neglected or even forgotten in the context of the larger global picture. In a symbolic sense, some of us on occasion feel as invisible to others as the title of the classic work. The Invisible Man by the noted African-American author, Ralph Ellison. Although we are island countries, we recognise that, when it comes to economic development and the outstanding social issues of contemporary civilisation, no nation is an island into itself.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“Unity, much like love, can only be based on free consent, equality and mutual respect. The beautiful and majestic Pacific Ocean comprises almost one third of the Earth's surface. Our corner of that great ocean lies in the South Pacific, which is itself a dramatic study in great contrasts. Nature has endowed us with great natural beauty and a hospitable environment. However, from time to time, our beautiful skies turn cloudy, our clear blue waters become turbulent and our calm tropical breezes become frightening winds of death and destruction. Cur environment is thus a blessing and at the same time a major concern. Most, but not all, of the countries in our region are small island States which are extremely vulnerable to external economic factors, as well as sudden climatic changes.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“This should also serve as a reminder that no people can ever be removed from the contest of its history nor permanently barred from the appointed rendezvous with its destiny. Our congratulations and sincere best wishes are attended to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany on this historic day. Similarly, our congratulations and sincere best wishes are extended to the Government and people of the Republic of Yemen on the recent unification of their country. In both instances unification was achieved peacefully and resulted from the will of the people themselves rather than from political edict or Military fiat. Therein lays an important message. It is to be hoped that that message will be borne in mind by those who night mistakenly believe that another path can be followed successfully.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“I also take this opportunity to extend our congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of the Republic of Namibia, which has finally been allowed to take its rightful place within the community of nations. Namibia's triumph is a triumph for Africa, for the United Nations and for all of humanity. We also congratulate the Principality of Liechtenstein on becoming the newest Member of the United Nations. We look forward to the constructive contributions its delegation will make. Today an important chapter of world history closes, and a new chapter begins. The formal establishment of a single German State provides ample evidence that the most lasting ideas and qualities are those that unite rather than those that divide.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“I have the honour of speaking today on behalf of the States members of the South Pacific Forum in my capacity as current Chairman of the Forum. At the outset I extend to you, Mr. President, our congratulations and best wishes on your election to preside over this body. Malta, like most of the countries of our own region, is a small island State. Thus, we take particular notice of the honour that has been bestowed upon you. We extend these congratulations to your Government and people as well. We also applaud the accomplishments of the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly and of the three special sessions of the Assembly conducted under the capable leadership of your predecessor, His Excellency Major-General Joseph H. Garba of Nigeria. To him, we express our appreciation and offer our congratulations.”
1990-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 45 (1990)
“The people of both the Soviet Union and the United States, along with the people of many other countries, made tremendous sacrifices four decades ago which led to the creation of the United Nations. Now it is time for one more enormous sacrifice It is still not too late. 178. The entire world is waiting for us, all of us, to move forward in the name of the human race. Now each nation represented here today must ask itself whether it wishes to be part of the problem or to be part of the solution.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We do not want these two great Powers to fight unless they limit their weapons to their respective moray strengths and their powers of persuasion. We have as much to lose as they do, should tidy insist on fighting with military weapons. We cannot stop them, but we can and do try to urge caution and restraint. The only weapons we have at our disposal are truth, our faith in mankind and our own powers of pet suasion. 76. We now papacy to either country to step forward and, in the name of humanity, say "We have all had enough of this madness". Let one begin by dismantling one weapon and it the other folio suit by dismantling another. Which one begins the process is no longer important, just as which one began to stockpile the weapons is no longer important.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“One certainty is that those who ally themselves with the evil practitioners of apartheid or other forms of racism cannot complain to us when others move into the moral vacuum they themselves have created. To them we say "If we are to believe in your moral superiority, it is time for you to demonstrate it in southern Africa, in East Timor, in the Middle East, in central America and in other parts of our troubled globe". 174. For emphasis, we wit repeat and stress again and again that both the Soviet Union and the United States are very big and very powerful countries. Neither need Vanuatu or any other country to fight its betties, and certainty not the battle between these two giants. However. as human beings, we have a great deal at stake. 75.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Without exception the loss of any human life is a tragedy. The number of victims or their nationality does not make the tragedy any worse or deepen our sorrow. Those who stress the individual aspects of human rights should understand this better than anyone. 172. Why are those who are so willing to isolate the Soviet Union so unwilling to isolate South Africa Why is it vital to keep channels of communication open to South Africa, but not to the Soviet Union Why is South Africa considered a civilized State, but not the Soviet Union 173. Ours is a smelt country, and admittedly we do not know the answer to every question. However, there are many things we are certain of.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Where are the leaders with the wisdom and the courage to say, "Let us sit down and reason together", to say, "Let us make sure this does not happen again", to say, "Let us put an end to the suspicions and distrust which gave rise to this incident" 171. Why are those who were silent when a Libyan airliner was shot down by Israeli fighters so vocal and articulate now Why are those who were silent when a Cuban airliner was blown out of the sky by a terrorist bomb so morally outraged now All human life is sacred, and none is more sacred than another. The lives of East Timorese and Vietnamese are sacred. The lives of Palestinian’s and Lebanese are sacred. The lives of Iranians and Iraqis are sacred. The lives of Chileans and Filipinos are sacred. The lives of Cypriots and Guatemalans are sacred.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This was a failure by mankind, all mankind, it reveals the heightened sense of international insecurity that the arms race, cold war rhetoric and tests of military preparedness have brought us. 169. This tragedy tells us that the technology of destruction is far more advanced than is the technology of communication and the technology of the prevention of destruction. n the normal course of events, we would learn from such a tragedy and develop more effective safeguards to prevent a recurrence. Unfortunately this does not appear to be the ease, and this is even more of a tragedy. 170. It saddens and concerns us to see the international atmosphere further poisoned by hatred and recriminate- tons. Now more than ever, the world cries out for the leadership of wise statement.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We do not know if the world will ever know what events really led up to this tragedy and what really happened just before the aircraft was shot down. It Is possible that both sides are telling the truth as they perceive the truth to be. We do not know. 167. We do not believe there can ever be any justification for shooting down a civilian aircraft, except perhaps in the extremely remote possibility of averting a far greater immediate human disaster. We believe that the Soviet Union made a tragic mistake and inexplicably compounded the mistake in its immediate aftermath. 168. However, we do not believe that blame or guilt in this instance lies with any one nation. This was a tragedy for all mankind and not just for any one State or group of States, it proves nothing about any particular social or economic system.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Now more than ever we must respect the universality of mankind and plan for the future. There are literally dozens of pressing problems confronting the international community today. Bach successive crisis seems to overshadow the previous one. 165. Perhaps none in recent memory was as dramatic as the downing of the Korean Air Lines flight 007. Few incidents have captured the public's attention as that did. Few incidents have as dramatically pointed to the need for better communication and understanding and for the strengthening of the United Nations. There is no doubt that 269 people lost their lives needlessly. This in itself is a great human tragedy, and we convey our very deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. 166.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This is not to suggest for one moment that things today are as one-sided as we might like to believe. We, the developing countries are also imperfect. Some of us have neglected to practise what we preached. Some are afraid to be candid in assessing our own performances, as if our adversaries and friends did not already know where we have fallen short. Some continue to make capital mistakes; others among us continue tic make soda mistakes. Some manage to make both. 163. For us to begin to take corrective action, we must first be true to ourselves. For us to be taken seriously, we must first take ourselves seriously. We will undoubtedly command as much respect as we demand by our own efforts, our own consistency and, most importantly, our own sacrifices, personal and institutional 164.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Wealth that was created, at least in part, as a direct consequence of legalized slavery, colonialism and the theft of other people's natural resources is inaccurately portrayed as resulting solely from the hard work and natural intelligence of those who came to possess that wealth. 161. It is not at all possible or even desirable for us to develop our countries by rigid imitations of the West or the East. We cannot isolate ourselves, but we most certainly can develop our own methodology and our own healthy economy and social mix. We certainly do not have the option of salting to distant shores and stealing land or having people to labour for us. as others have in the past. Even if that option were available, it is not the way we would choose to develop. While we do not live in the past, we most certainly remember our shared history. 162.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Those who pontificate and preach to us that we must follow the same path of development that they followed understand neither history nor economics. The world is different today from what it was 200 years ago, or even 20 years ago, and our objective conditions are certainly different. Modern technology has rendered obsolete much of what we learned and have dramatically increased the gap between those nations which "have" and those which "have not". 159. No nation today has the luxury of developing in isolation, at its own pace. Radio, films, television, books, newspapers and magazines all bring the affluent world to the attention of the citizens of all countries. Very few Governments exist today which can resist the attendant pressures to bring that or a comparable good life to its own citizens. 160.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The depressed state of the world economy, with the universal phenomenon of international inflationary pressures, is a major concern The need for international monetary reform and the expansion of international trade is well documented. The twin needs of greater North-South dialogue and greater South-South economic trade and co-operation are also well known. So many major economic problems confront us today that one hardly knows where and how to begin cataloguing them. 157. The resolution of these problems is going to necessitate a serious and long-term commitment by each of us. Perhaps it will be painful, but we should probably begin with critical self-examinations of our respective histories, policies and priorities. 158. None of us is perfect, large or small, developed or developing.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We hope that France will in good faith negotiate an accept with us and that the islands of Matthew and Hunter will once again be administered as part of our country, which they are. 155. Both the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the United Nations have begun to focus on the unique problems of small island developing States. The recently concluded conference of experts hosted by the Government of Grenada is a very positive step in the right direction. it is our hope that the work of the conference can continue and deceive the support of the entire international community. 156. We recognize that the problems of small Islands developing States are only one of a host of economic problems plaguing the world today.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“All are separated by many miles of ocean, making communications and transportation major problems. Finally, this latter character: exacerbates our present state of underdevelopment and preoccupies us all. 153. For these reasons, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is so important. It is our hope that someday this Convention will be universally acclaimed and unanimously accepted, as it has already been by an overwhelming majority of our neighbour. 154. Being a stall island State ourselves, we support the concerns of other such States that their territorial integrity be respected and preserved. We too have a territorial dispute with a major Power.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is for this reason that our Government supports proposals for the establishment of a nuclear-free Pacific. This past July we were proud to host an international conference on a nuclear-free and independent Pacific. To all but the most myopic observer, it is clear that the two go hand in hand; indeed, we submit that it will in fact be difficult to achieve a nuclear-free Pacific until there is an independent Pacific and until the respective peoples of the area are free to decide for themselves whether this defilement of our land, sea and air shall continue. 152. Economic development in the South Pacific is a difficult and somewhat elusive goal. Some of our count- tries are blessed with abundant mineral resources, seem with abundant agricultural resources, and others with neither. Most are under populated.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“To us, our lands, our skies and our ocean have always been a source of spiritual guidance as we as a means of sustaining life. 150.Others have now come to our area to conduct tests, store material and dump wastes that would not be tolerated in their own waters and on their own tends. Despite the strong representation of all Governments in the area, this reckless disregard for human life and the environment continues almost unabated. Our opposition is based on moral as well as scientific grounds, invitations by France or by any other nuclear Power to visit test sites wit never reduce the strength of our moral objections. We, the people of the South Pacific, have made it clear that we want an immediate end to the testing of any and ail nuclear weapons in our region. 151.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The Vanuatu Government is confident that New Caledonia will soon assume its rightful place as an independent nation. Toward that end, we urge Members of the United Nations to keep themselves apprised of the situation in this economically important tend and to support the initiatives of New Caledonia's people, as have the Governments of the South Pacific. 148. We in the South Pacific have another major preoccupation, in addition to our concern for the remaining non-self-covering territories in our area. All our Governments, including those of Australia and New Zealand, have taken strong stands against nuclear testing in our area. 149. The peoples of the Pacific have always respected and been at peace with their environment.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This is in recognition of the fact that to be valid the exercise of self-determination must be by the people of a particular country themselves, and those who have not even lived there but have been brought there and permitted to vote m order to outweigh the wishes of the legitimate population must not take part, in its totality, the Canberra communiqué supports the right of self-determination. It urges the various sectors of the nation to work closely with France to ensure a peaceful transition to independence. It is laudable in its aims and practical it its approach, including the decision to review the situation next year and to consider the desirability of re-inscription of New Caledonia on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories. 147.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We believe that the Government of France is sincerely searching for answers to the questions raised concerning New Caledonia's future. The reforms that France has introduced have certainty helped, and they demonstrate a sincere commitment to an effort to and some common ground upon which the competing interests may be reconciled. 146. The South Pacific Forum, at its meeting at Canberra on 29 and 30 August, took note of France's efforts in this regard. However, we, the South Pacific heads of Government, also declared our support for independence for New Caledonia, and we urged the French Government to consider, in conducting any act of self-determination, the desirability of excluding from the franchise short-term or non-permanent residents of New Caledonia.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“New Caledonia is similar to South Africa in the hardened racial attitudes of some of its European settlers. To them, the indigenous Kayak population is not worthy of the basic and elementary dignity, respect and legal rights that most human beings are now able to take for granted. Many of these intransigent settlers are former colons who left Algeria after the Organisation armee secrete, the notorious OAS, failed in its efforts to abort Algeria's independence and murder Charles de Gaulle, then President of France, in the process. 144. The people of New Caledonia have extended a warm and open hand of friendship to all who would work together in a free and independent nation. Theirs is a vision of a non-exclusionary South Pacific nation in which all human beings would be treated as equals. 145.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“On the one hand, it is in a sense captive to a restive and obstinate stir population. On the other hand, it finally reaches toast its tong-term interests are best served by making a more reasonable and rational accommodation with the indigenous population. its main preoccupation now becomes how to buy itself sufficient time to make the necessary accommodation and how to balance the competing antagonisms of the settlers and the indigenous population. 142. In this respect New Caledonia differs from South Africa primarily in the nature of the metropolitan Power. South Africa no longer has one easily identifiable metropolitan Power. France, on the other hand, is dearly the identifiable metropolitan Power which both the setters and the indigenous population now petition. 143.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Thus, apartheid, or segregation, comes to be seen as outmoded, unnecessary and even threatening to the broader, more general economic interests of the metropolitan Power. Eventually, the metropolitan Power may, for its own purposes, even seek to appear to be paying a leading role in ending a particularly odious social code. 140. Naturally, none of this occurs overnight. It takes time for the contradiction to arise, more time for it to be recognized, art even mere time for the effort to reconcile it to be put into operation, in the meantime, those who have been victims of the social code usually have begun their own process of change. Generality speaking, wit they have in mind is a more far-reaching and fundamental change. The metropolitan Power then faces a dilemma.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“138. What is less well understood, however, Is that the settler population, having its own narrow and specific Interests to protect, often acts contrary as well to the broader Interests of the metropolitan Power. Such became the ease in Algeria and in Zimbabwe; such Is the case in Namibia and In South Africa; and such is the ease in New Caledonia. 139. Generally speaking, metropolitan Powers do not have a direct interest in the maintenance of rigid and exclusionary social codes which hamper economic growth and development. This is particularly true when those social codes, by whatever name they are called, are operable far from the physical environs of the metropolitan Power.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Therefore, the struggle by Its people to gain their independence has posed and undoubtedly will continue to pose a second question: who will control the enormous economic potential of this small developing country 136. Without a doubt, all of us here today are well aware of the role that economics played In the colonization of most of the world. We are also certainly aware of the fact that it is the mineral wealth of Namibia and of South Africa that lies behind the complicated political web spun by those who do not wish to see the people of those countries control their own resources. New Caledonia's people face similar obstacles for the same reasons. 137. In New Caledonia, as In southern Africa, the settler population usually acts contrary to the Interests of the indigenous population. This the world understands and has come to expect.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We, therefore, once again appeal to Indonesia to save its soul as a nation and to be true to its heritage and stature by negotiating a speedy and complete withdrawal of its forces from East Timor. Let the people of that country decides their own fate, and let the United Nations assist in that process. This is why we have a United Nations. 134. New Caledonia is another non-self-governing territory in the South Pacific and another example of why we have the Organization. It is also another matter which coils for us, the International community, to "tell no lies, claim no victories". 135. New Caledonia is the world's second largest producer of niece.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is also difficult to comprehend the more bankruptcy of those who speak so eloquently on other matters, but who remain silent on the question of East Timor. 131. We as a nation are not cynical enough to have interests which would lead us to close our eyes to the injustices imposed on our fetor human beings in East Timor. Were we to acquiesce in Indonesia's actions, we would not be true to the Charter of the United Nations nor to ourselves, or to our children and the future we would bequeath to them. 132. We are reminded of an important directive issued during the struggle to free Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verge from colonial domination: "Hide nothing from the masses of the people. Tell no ties, claim no easy victories." Those words are as appropriate here In this chamber today as they were in West Africa in 1968. 133.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“If we accept Indonesia's actions in East Timor, then with what legal authority do we challenge Israel's annexation of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights? If we accept Indonesia's brutality in East Timor, then with what moral authority do we challenge apartheid? If we, the former colonies of the world are not true to our own pronouncements on colonialism and human rights when it comes to East Timor, then we have not yet freed ourselves from the old discredited values of those who called themselves our masters. 130. It is not easy, nor is it a pleasant experience, to be compelled to focus so critically upon the actions of a country which was once a mode and an inspiration to our Own people and others who were colonized. It is, however, more difficult and less pleasant to bear witness to what has been done to the people of East Timor.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Hundreds of thousands of Innocent men, women and children had to nay with their lives and so many mote are still paying of sudden disappearances, detention without explanation, and torture. Why has every effort to provide even the minimum humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered people of East Timor been thwarted by the Indonesian authorities? 128. Certainly, no rational person would suggest that there is an acceptable double standard on questions of colonization, colonialism and human rights. Where is it written that colonialism is wrong only when the colonial Power Is a European nation? Where is it written that the systematic denial of fundamental human rights, including the very right to life itself, is evil only when the violator happens to be a European nation? 129.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Such is the case with respect to Indonesia's Invasion, occupation and attempted annexation of East Timor. 126. East Timor is another small South Pacific country, like our own. Its people fought on the side of the Allies during the Second World War and paid dearly for their commitment to what became the Ideals of the United Nations. Like more than two thirds of the nations represented here today, the people of East Timor saw the post-war era as the time to re-assert their own political and social independence. Tragically, Indonesia's military rulers interrupted East Timor's decolonization process as that process was in its final stages. 127. The resulting brutalization of East Timor's people has also brutalized Indonesia's image as a nation. How can one so large justify such heavy-handed repression of a small neighbour.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Our pity, our sympathy and our sorrow are reserved for those people who choose to remain on the side-lines, passively accepting, or for those who tragically imitate Israel and South Africa in other regions. 124. Indonesia is a country which we have long admired and respected. It is a country which by its actions helped inspire the decolonization process and tater became a founder of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. It is a large and powerful country which we consider a friend. 125. Although Vanuatu is Indonesia's friend, we also realize that a true friend is not one who tells another simply what he wishes to hear. Difficult as It may be, a true friend must on occasion be painfully honest and tell a friend what that friend may not wish to hear.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“To do otherwise is to suggest that some of us are above criticism, and certainty our Creator never intended that any of us think that of ourselves. That would be the height of arrogance and would undoubtedly bring down the indignation and the wrath of the Creator. 122. The situations in title Middle East and in southern Africa is indeed tragic. They are tragic for the victims who live in those areas and tragic for us, all of mankind, as well. 123. For the victims, the people of those areas, our primary feelings are not feelings of pity, sympathy, soar- row or pessimism. Towards them, our primary feelings are feelings of support, solidarity, encouragement and optimism. To them we are grateful, for they renew in all of us the very best of human qualities.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)