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

“Others argue quite convincingly that we have already been too patient and that we have no right to be any more moderate than we have been. After all, they say, how patient and how moderate was the international community four decades ago in the face of the same fascism, the same militarism and the same racism that we are counselled to be to patient with and so moderate towards today 120. Perhaps there is an argument that can be made for toning down some of these resolutions. We do not know. We simply know that we have not yet heard valid reasons for voting against resolutions that seek to redress valid grievances. 121. It seems to us that those with publicity proclaim an intention to embrace South Africa must themselves accept responsibility for resolutions which criticize such an embrace.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." Those words should be borne in mind during our deliberations, particularly on those items which seem to remain on our agenda with no apparent solution in sight. 118. After so many years, it is not easy to understand why the people of Palestine cannot return to their homes. It is difficult to comprehend why South Africa must be given even more inducements to end its illegal occupation of Namibia. It is difficult to fathom how rational minds can treat the neo-fascist regime in Pretoria like a civilized nation, which it is not, rather than like the outcast and pariah which it is. 119. Some have suggested that we, the international community, have not been patient enough or that we are not moderate enough in considering these issues and In framing resolutions on these topics.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In most instances the manner in which the process proceeded was determined by those who sought to abort the process of change. "Power concedes noting without a demand," observed Frederick Douglass. "It never did, and it never will," said that great son of Africa, who with his people helped end legal slavery in the United States over 100 years ago. Today his words are as prophetic and as meaningful as they were then: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favour freedom, yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without ploughing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In reaction to those conditions of poverty, disease and illiteracy they have been forced to endure, the peoples of Africa, Asia and South and central America and the Caribbean have themselves begun the process of changing the conditions of their lives. Naturally, the various peoples of the South Pacific is also an integral part of this process of change. It should also came as no surprise that a great many people from the developed world are also part of this process of change. Some of them share in our history and have themselves been cruelty exploited. All of them share our vision of the future. At times this process of change has moved forward quietly and almost imperceptibly. At other times it has proceeded dramatically with a mighty roar and great turbulence.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Rather than help to rebuild what they destroyed, those who once sponsored Lon Nol now sponsor Pol Pot, thereby hindering reconciliation and the economic and social reconstruction of the area. 115.In South and Central America, the just and legitimate strivings of people for justice, equality, land, bread and freedom have been labelled subversive by the despots who rule every facet of their lives. Fascistic death squads operate with impunity and include among their victims defenceless peasants, priests, nuns, teachers and school children. In the South Pacific, we find most of the worlds remaining non-self-governing territories, and we find the part of this world that has faced the greatest exposure to nuclear tests, with little regard for the safety of human beings and the environment.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In assessing the current state of the United Nations, one is reminded of the story of the two Individuals who, upon looking at the same glass of water, had different observations. One, the pessimist, observed that the glass was half empty. The other, the optimist, observed that the glass was half full. That story applies to any assessment of the United Nations and of world affairs. 114. Yes, there are vexing problems which plague the world and seem as If they will never be resolved. In South Africa and the Middle East a pervasive pattern of institutionalized racism has bequeathed a legacy of intercommunal strife which at times appears to be insouble except by force of arms. In South-East Asia more than four decades of ceaseless and unremitting warfare and destruction have left the people and their and devastated.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It would be wise for all of us to remember that the world's two foremost Powers are both significant stronger than the rest of us. Neither one needs any of us to fight its battles. However, the consequences of any such fight affects each and every one of us. Therefore, we have as much of an interest in the rational and reasonable exercise of the tremendous power possessed by these two great nations as they themselves do. 112. Our search, therefore, must be for some common ground or common denominator on which they and we can continue our quest for peace, development and survival. Let our children decide the future, but let us ensure that there will be a future 113.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It was never intended to be, and because of its nature and the realities of our world it can never effectively be, an alliance against communism any more than it can, or even should, be an alliance against capitalism. The social and economic system that any country chooses to live under is a matter that is best left to the people of that country. This is true regardless of that country's name, size or location, be it the United States or be it Nicaragua. 110. The United Nations has been at its best in heaping to prevent another world war and in helping promote and accelerate the process of decolonization. It has been a platform for the denunciation of one economic and social system by the proponents of another. Such crusades are best left to other bodies, as they seriously hamper and undermine our effectiveness.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Is there a better institution to address itself to these aspirations and dreams than the United Nations We think not. Can the United Nations do so with greater charity and more effectiveness We think so. Should the world community continue the investment it has already made in the United Nations Without doubt. We believe that the United Nations has already given us all a favourable return and justified its existence many times over. 108. We must remember that the United Nations is an outgrowth of the Second World War alliance against the Axis Powers. As such, the Organization represents an international alliance against fascism, militarism and racism. 109.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is this tatter scarcity which is most distressing and most inexcusable as we stand poised on the brink of the twenty-first century, it is this scarcity more titan any other factor which has been to the seemingly never-ending series of global shockwaves and confrontations between the world's "haves" and its "have-nots". 106. The world's super-Powers certainly have their own contradictions and causes for conflict. However, it would be a grievous error to attempt to define all of the worlds present problems in terms of super-Power rivalry. Rivalries between States and even between social systems come and go. However, the aspirations, goals and dreams of people—all people, men, women and children—are constant. All want the same things—-a better life, understanding and respect. 107.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“At this moment, we are faced with daily reminders of how technology has figuratively reduced the size of the globe and brought us all closer together. Unfortunately, the very same technology has far too often fuelled, in some people, an uncontrollable greed and desire to rule and control the resources of other people. Thus, although we live in a world of great abundance, which is capable of producing even more, far too many people live in a world of constant scarcity. This scarcity is not only a scarcity of material goods, which would be difficult enough to explain and cope with, but a scarcity of respect and of opportunity. 105.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We must remember that the failures and shortcomings of the United Nations are the failures and shortcomings of the membership. All of us, large and small, old and new, developed and developing, share this responsibility. Either I shall make our work here meaningful and successful or we shall by our own actions reduce it to meaningless irrelevance and abstraction. The choice lies with us. Our respective peoples perceive the United Nations through our actions and attach as much meaning to its pronouncements as we ourselves do. 104. No one can deny that the United Nations, and Indeed mankind, is at this very moment at one of those Important and innumerable crossroads which recur in the course of human history.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We hope too, that it will signify a firm determination to take seriously the admonition of our able Secretary- General, who, in his most recent report on the work of, the Organization said, "A continuous effort to contribute to the implementation of United Nations decisions should be an integral part of the foreign policy of Member States to a far greater extent than it is at the present time." - 103. In his report, the Secretary-General has once again demonstrated the candour and insightful analysis which we have come to expect of him and his excellent staff and which is so essential if we, the Members of the United Nations, are to take the necessary steps to strengthen the Organization and make it more effective.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In no other forum do representatives of the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor, the proud and the humble, the well-educated and the undereducated of the entire world sit together and in theory, if not always in fact, work together for solutions to the problems which threaten our very existence as a form of life. 102. The attendance of so many world leaders at this year's session signifies a long-overdue recognition of the importance of the Organization. We hope that it will also signify a renewed commitment on the part of all of its Members to the letter and to the spirit of the Charter.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This year the privilege is even rarer and more unique because of the presence of so many distinguished heads of States or Government here at this thirty-eighth sessions. Most have come in response to the appeal made at the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi in March 1983, and the subsequent urging of the highly esteemed chairperson of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, our good friend Mrs Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India. All have come in recognition of the fact that the United Nations, despite its shortcomings and its critics, continues to be the best, and perhaps the last hope of mankind for our very survival on this planet. In no other forum are all of the peoples of the world represented.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The United Nations cannot be Named if we, the Members, have not taken full advantage of this opportunity. 99. We in Vanuatu are fortunate. Ours is a free and open society, and we are situated in a region with neighbours who respect our tight to draw our own conclusions and develop our country in our own fashion. We are rightfully proud of the South Pacific: its physical beauty, its unique manner and its still unrealised potential. One of our fondest wishes is that people from other regions will get to know and appreciate us and our region a little bit more. For us, this session of the General Assembly is an important step in that process 100. It is always a rare and unique privilege to address the General Assembly.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Others who owe a great deal to the United Nations include millions of persons who are no longer ravaged by hunger and disease or who have a place to sleep or who can read because of the work of the United Nations specialized agencies? Big nations and small nations owe a great deal to the Organization because it has provided a universal forum for discussion and exchange where there was none before. 98. Naturally, the United Nations cannot be given credit for every advance mankind has made since 1945, but it can certainly be credited with enough to make us all proud. Not the least of the world body's accomplishments is that it has brought us together from all corners of the globe and made it somewhat easier for us to communicate to get to know each other, bridging unnatural gaps of suspicion and distrust.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“If we have the will it can be strengthened and made better, but only if we have the will and if we respect and enhance its decisions and its democratic processes. 96. This is not to say that these critics do not come from democratic societies. In fact, the irony is that their own societies are in many ways models of democracy for the protection of individual rights. We simply wish that they would pause for a moment to reflect on the democratic ideas of other societies, including those that stress the protection of collective rights. Furthermore, we wish that everyone would lend stronger support to the practice of democracy than to the exercise of power in international deliberations. 97. We in Vanuatu owe a great deal to the United Nations, as does every other nation that was a colony at the close of the Second World War.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“There are those who profess a belief in freedom of expression yet the General Assembly does not welcome the exercise of such freedom by smaller States that may, on occasion, hold different positions from those they have taken. There are those who like us believe in a free market of ideas. However, they do resent when the mood strikes them to close the market or force it to move elsewhere because they do not always like the ideas being presented. 95. Obviously such thinking is not only irrational but also painfully short-sighted and rather childish. For mankind, the United Nations is still a great organization, it is certainly not perfect. Nothing mankind has yet created can claim that distinction. However, it is perhaps the best and most important institution we have? yet created.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“We also congratulate the Government and people of Saint Christopher and Nevis, another small island developing into a State, on their country's attainment of independence and on becoming the iS8th Member of the United Nations. Its presence in our midst strengthens the Organization and its democracy and bears witness to the universality of mankind and this world body. 94. It is occasionally necessary to applaud and exercise in democracy here at the United Nations because some do not always practise what they preach. There are those who espouse a belief in the dignity and quality of all? mankind and all nations yet ignore the smaller countries until they seek our votes on a specific item.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Secondly, his country is in a sub region, the Caribbean, which like our own sub region, the South Pacific is similarly often overlooked. It is our hope that Mr. Hepburn's candidacy will at last signal an awakening to the fact that all nations, like all people, are created equal. 92. Panama Is also a country small in size but great in stature and reputation. Thus, this year's friendly contest for the presidency of the General Assembly made winner of us all. It afforded us the unique opportunity to choose between two highly qualified candidates from smash countries. For this reason we salute you both and say to you that we will all be forever grateful. 93.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“His also was a difficult tenure and one which earned the gratitude of the entire international community. 91. We also believe that congratulations are in order to another outstanding diplomat, Mr. Davidson Hepburn, the representative of the Bahamas. His candidacy for the office of President of this year's General Assembly strengthened the democratic process within the United Nations and was a visible and dignified expression of the vitality of the Organization's democracy. His candidacy was also important for two other reasons. First, he represents a country which, like ours, is a small isled developing State. Very often the particular difficulties and needs of such States are overlooked within the international arena.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“89. Mr. President, I extend to you and your country the warm congratulations and sincere best wishes of the Government and people of Vanuatu on your election to the high office of President of the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly. This promises to be a most significant session and perhaps one of the most critical international gatherings of modern history. We are confident that your leadership will be equal to the task and will reflect your many years of diplomatic experience and expertise, your careful and considered judgement and the courage and candour for which you and the Government and people of Panama are noted. 90. Under your guidance we anticipate the same thoughtfulness and impartiality which our deliberations enjoyed during the last session under the very capable leadership of Mr. Imre Hollai of Hungary.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)