YouSaid · the spoken record

Sato KILMAN

lines on the record: 35
first: 2005-09-24
most recent: 2006-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“During periods of turbulence and uncertainty, he has been relentless in the pursuit of his belief in United Nations reform. My Government salutes him for his distinguished service to the United Nations. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I also extend our appreciation to India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia for their continuous support within the framework of South-South cooperation. In addition, my Government is encouraged by the initiative and the kind gesture of Venezuela in committing $2 million to the Pacific 06-53615 4 islands through the work programme of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Those are positive developments that together are complementing the leadership role being played by my Government in its development path. In closing, I take this final opportunity to pay our respects to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his outstanding stewardship of the United Nations. His wisdom has ensured that the United Nations will retain its credibility and its relevance.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Determining how to bring more cohesiveness and unity to this great community of nations has now become a much more formidable challenge. I affirm my support for the challenging exercise before us. Our Almighty Creator entrusted us, the human race, with the safeguarding of a great asset, the Earth. It is incumbent on us to make the most of that opportunity. The world’s destiny is in our hands. In that spirit, I extend my congratulations to Montenegro on its admission as the 192nd Member of the United Nations. Before closing, I would like to acknowledge the support of our development partners — in particular Australia, New Zealand, France, Japan, the People’s Republic of China, the United States of America and the European Union — as well as the various United Nations bodies that are strongly supporting the development of Vanuatu.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“With regard to the question of the environment — in particular global warming and climate change — my Government strongly aligns itself with other small island States in urging the international community to reduce emissions. The failure of major emitters to sign the Kyoto Protocol is a major disappointment. The Charter of the United Nations espouses the principles that continue to guide the Organization’s efforts in the process of self-determination. It calls for recognition of and respect for the fundamental rights of peoples and territories still under colonial rule. We must not lose sight of that goal. The United Nations must make renewed efforts where it has failed to allow justice to prevail for those peoples who continue to be denied their inalienable right to freedom and democracy. We must relegate that dark legacy to the past.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We therefore call upon Members of the United Nations to understand and support Vanuatu’s case. As a responsible United Nations Member, Vanuatu is also contributing towards international peace and security. Vanuatu peacekeepers have participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and East Timor, and we currently have peacekeepers stationed in the Congo, Haiti, Côte d’Ivoire and the Sudan. Vanuatu has also participated in regional peacekeeping missions in Bougainville and Solomon Islands. Those efforts illustrate Vanuatu’s resolve to engage in peacekeeping and peacebuilding in both the regional and international contexts.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Furthermore, while the current methods used to measure the three main thresholds for graduation are dependent on statistical variables, it is commonly understood that statistical data for countries in the Pacific — including Vanuatu — contain major discrepancies. Therefore, relying solely on such data to determine Vanuatu’s achievements in relation to the thresholds would yield inaccurate results. Very soon, the General Assembly will be considering countries recommended for inclusion in the list of countries eligible for graduation. That list includes Vanuatu. Our arguments for exclusion from the list are well founded and based on practical realities. My Government considers as premature the recommendation by the Committee for Development Policy to include Vanuatu on the list.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Last week, during the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Comprehensive Global Review of the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, I spoke of the many challenges facing my country in the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action. Vanuatu has been showing positive signs of gradual economic growth. However, in the light of our vulnerability to natural disasters, exogenous market demand and supply price fluctuations and their adverse impacts on the three most important sectors contributing to our gross domestic product, we consider this an inappropriate time to include Vanuatu in the list of countries eligible for graduation.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The international community must be realistic about the future. Let us allow justice, security and long-lasting peace to prevail for both the Israeli people and the Palestinians. Recently, Vanuatu was recognized by the Happy Planet Index, published by the British-based New Economics Foundation, as the happiest place on Earth. We are proud to have been placed so high amongst all countries of the world, but we have been careful not to be carried away, and so often it is that island paradox that conceals the diverse development challenges that small island countries of the Pacific, such as Vanuatu, face in today’s world of globalization.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Confrontation must be resolved through tactful diplomacy and negotiation consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and established international law. In that spirit, we also appeal to those concerned to exercise great restraint and to have the wisdom and responsibility to ensure above all that any action they take serves that purpose, which must be in the interest of future global justice, peace and security. Any retreat from multilateralism will result only in increased tension and aggression. Again, mutual dialogue through appropriate mechanisms is absolutely critical at this very delicate time. On the question of the Middle East, both Israel and Palestine have the right to live side by side in 3 06-53615 peaceful coexistence as independent and sovereign States.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The United Nations is not about one or several nations; it is about this family of nations with the one common objective of maintaining international peace and security. Over the past few days, millions around the globe have monitored the unfolding debate in this noble Hall of the General Assembly. A war of words has resounded from this rostrum, exposing an alarming rift in relations between some super-Powers and the voices of the developing world. The media have exploited the situation to scrutinize those events, often ending up with gross assumptions and conclusions that have only instilled fear amongst the world’s innocent population. Now, is that the right message of hope we are giving to our peoples, who have faith in the United Nations? Is the United Nations not the beacon of hope for all humanity?”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Cultural and religious differences cannot be seen to be obstacles in that regard. The United Nations brought civility and etiquette to the conduct of relations between States, and central to that are relations between individuals. The art of statesmanship has therefore become very critical at this time. Respect must therefore begin here at the United Nations. When one world Power speaks here, this Hall is jammed. Thereafter, the debate becomes routine. That is remiss of many of us. The annual general debate of the General Assembly is the only practical occasion at which almost all leaders are together in one place to discuss and share views on the development challenges facing the globe.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Today, I stand before the Assembly to again reaffirm faith in the United Nations, but I agree that changes must take place to adapt the United Nations system to the evolution of the international and geopolitical and economic framework. Reforms of the various United Nations bodies are therefore absolutely essential. There must be reform of the Security Council to ensure that it is democratic and more representative of the United Nations membership. The veto power in the Council dilutes all the good intentions of the majority of the United Nations membership towards addressing many of the challenges confronting us today. The underlying question, though, is: Has the disproportionate use of the veto power sustained reasonable levels of international peace and stability?”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Accessibility to the markets of the affluent nations has also restricted the progress of development in many countries of the developing world. Major world players must not lose sight of those goals. Inter-State relations, mutual understanding and tolerance begin with respect for the individual. The dignity of the human person is of the essence in building equality between all persons. That is one of the fundamental principles of the United Nations. As Members of the United Nations, we have all agreed to embrace those principles and we continue to believe in those values. Vanuatu joined the United Nations in 1981 because it believed in the Organization.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Moreover, if we are to have any hope of building a better future, then peace must sometimes come at a price. We must begin to look deeply, honestly and with open hearts if we are really to understand the world around us. If there is a question of repressive policies that influence and dominate the international economic and political order, then those concerned must take remedial action. The adoption of the resolution on the United Nation’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is therefore a positive step forward. The central focus on the fight against terrorism has taken centre stage for some, and the diversion of resources is jeopardizing the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and official development assistance target levels.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“My Government condemns terrorism in whatever form or manifestation it assumes, and there is an urgent need for all the Members of the United Nations to work together openly in combating those dangerous developments. The destruction of innocent lives should not be the means to meeting an end. That is inhumane. All United Nations Member countries therefore have the responsibility — a moral and ethical responsibility — to eradicate that menace from the face of the Earth. 06-53615 2 Peace cannot be won through injustice, the practice of double standards, aggression or war. We cannot be victorious in the fight against terrorism if we fail to address its root causes. Conversely, it is incumbent on all Member States to act responsibly to ensure the implementation of all United Nations resolutions.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is not the fear that the developing world has no capabilities in contributing to peace and security, but the fear — the greatest fear, in fact — that the undemocratic practices of the major United Nations organs, such as the Security Council, are causing tension and disarray in the work of the United Nations. The disparities in the quality of life between the haves and the have-nots have grown to be fertile breeding grounds for new and hostile generations. And it is here that the phenomenon of terrorism continues to challenge the frontiers of our imagination. It is perhaps much clearer today than ever before that there are reasons for increased resentment in certain parts of the world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The value of the human person and his or her right to live in a world that is fair and just seems but a dream. Ensuring the dignity of one’s right to live with access to the most basic necessities in life remains our greatest challenge. We speak so ambitiously of creating a world that is equitable and just, but the outcomes have been unimpressive. The schism between the minority rich and the majority poor continues to grow. The multitudes of the disadvantaged are being further marginalized from the so-called benefits of globalization. Fear has struck many small countries of the developing world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Today, we stand on the verge of global uncertainty. The international landscape is scarred by wars, conflict, civil unrest, epidemics, drought and famine. Poverty and malnutrition continue to ravage the lives of millions of the world’s inhabitants. The very values and fabric on which the United Nations was founded are being besieged by new ideas and principles that are undermining the authority of this body to maintain global peace and security. The clash of ideologies and of cultural and religious differences continues to give much food for thought. The United Nations stands at a crossroads. While it has the mandate to address those challenges, it remains paralysed as a result of actions taken by the hegemonic Powers of today. That is the dilemma confronting the Organization.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Despite all our differences and diversities, human security for all is our main goal and should remain the focus of the United Nations agenda. The cardinal question is, will Members allow the United Nations to undertake serious reforms in meeting the challenges ahead? And will the Organization be capable of guaranteeing a future of peace and prosperity that is not reserved only for the big players but will be enjoyed by all? Will the United Nations become a juggernaut for the stronger nations? A famous biblical verse reminds us about the fundamental wisdom of building on rock instead of sand. The future remains in our hands, and the Republic of Vanuatu will play its part. May our beloved almighty Creator bless us all.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We urge the United Nations to act responsibly in revisiting the case of West Papua. However, we are encouraged by the Indonesian Government’s efforts to address alleged human rights abuses. We also welcome decisions empowering West Papuans to manage their own affairs in collaboration with the central Government. The United Nations must also explore various avenues to end the economic embargo imposed on Cuba. Countless resolutions have been adopted to no effect, and the Cuban people continue to be marginalized in the multilateral trading system. This is a critically challenging responsibility. Some may see it as an improbable task, but it must be addressed with genuine support and goodwill on the part of the relevant authorities and sovereign States. In conclusion, I hope that the Creator’s wisdom will prevail as we continue our journey.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Only in an open and consistent manner can we redress past failures and provide a stronger basis for the advancement of United Nations ideals. Such contradictions simply make a mockery of the fundamental principles of human rights and self- determination clearly enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. How can we call for respect for human rights, yet blatantly ignore the pleas of the millions calling out for justice? The United Nations cannot, and must not, continue to turn a blind eye to its own past failures. It is morally, politically and legally wrong to do so. The continuing disputes raised over the implementation of United Nations resolutions are clear 4 examples challenging the integrity and validity of the United Nations. We cannot ignore the calls of the West Papuans in their quest for justice.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Complacency would be our greatest mistake. The Charter of the United Nations espouses the principles that continue to guide the Organization’s efforts in the process of self-determination. That right must be progressively advanced. The United Nations must be consistent and not lose sight of the fundamental right of self-determination for those who are working their way out of the shackles of colonial rule. Ruling and sovereign authorities must ensure that the process remains on track. Where the United Nations has failed to fully comply with the appropriate legal procedures, it is only proper that such instances be adequately addressed to allow justice to prevail for the victims. Circumventing the issue only exposes the dark history and raises serious questions about the credibility, relevance and integrity of the United Nations.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The challenges confronting island States are ominous, and I repeat the call that more recognition should be given to accommodate our natural characteristics and vulnerabilities. We also urge States that have not yet done so to act responsibly by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible. On the question of the shipment of radioactive materials and hazardous waste, improvements in safeguards and assurances should not have to await a calamity. Preventive measures must be the course of action to take. The risks posed by the forces of nature, coupled with increased terrorist activities, are too grave for enhanced safeguards to deal with. The world would be better off banning such shipments rather than endlessly trying to perfect safeguards approaches that, at best, only limit such serious risks.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“A fundamental lesson to be drawn from Vanuatu’s reforms is that they have been forced from outside, without being adapted to our national circumstances. From Vanuatu’s perspective, externally driven reforms must be buttressed by an equal partnership that respects local traditions and cultures and the rights of all citizens, without disturbing the essential uniting mechanisms of society that have successfully held us together. Vanuatu embraces democracy and the concepts of good governance and transparency, but those far-reaching principles must be tailored to traditional systems without affecting their relevance and significance. With regard to the environment, we urge our development partners to actively support the effective implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We continue to call for trade and investment and labour export to help our economies to grow. My Government’s national development priorities focus on building the productive sector. The Government’s prioritized action agenda highlights the policy areas that we believe to be essential in meeting our development objectives. It is the catalyst for Vanuatu’s medium- to long-term strategic planning, which emphasizes the need to empower our rural population through infrastructure- and capacity- building initiatives. The development policy framework is consistent with achieving the MDG targets, and the development strategy is being refined to give equal consideration to our other international commitments and the Pacific Plan. We appeal to our development partners to assist us in the effective implementation of our strategy.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We urge our development partners to honour their commitments to reach the 0.7 per cent target for official development assistance (ODA). In this context we welcome the commitments from the United States of America through the Millennium Challenge Account. We also 3 welcome commitments by Qatar, the European Union and the People’s Republic of China. Furthermore, we look forward to the coming to fruition of initiatives by France and other countries. The pivotal role of trade as the engine for economic growth cannot be overemphasized, but, as many of my colleagues from the small island States and the least developed countries have stated, market access and special preferential treatment must be provided. Furthermore, many of us are restricted by inflexible and immoral conditions that inhibit new financing and development initiatives.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We have agreed on the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission, which will also enable more work to be done to combat the spread of terrorism, in particular by identifying areas where international support and understanding are required. Although we are injecting many resources into curing the problem, we are not really preventing it from emerging. The world needs a spirit of pacifism if real peace is to prevail. In order to achieve that, the United Nations needs moral leadership — leadership that focuses on security and dignity for the human person. The post-Monterrey Conference era poses extreme challenges for the economic survival and socio-economic stability of many of the small island developing nations like Vanuatu.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“But the fight against terrorism must be balanced and targeted so as to ensure that resources are equitably channelled into meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The global economic situation today discriminates against many of the developing economies. Unfair trading practices and the imposition of intrusive policies on national economies affect our economies by opening them up to unfavourable conditions that only favour the stronger nations. Such negative actions marginalize nations and peoples. Marginalization then breeds and incites resentment, fuelling the hatred that eventually creates fertile grounds for extremism to grow and flourish.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In this context, my delegation shares the views of other delegations on the need to revise the membership of the Security Council so as to ensure fair representation of Member States without affecting the authority of the Council. A more representative Council will bring openness and transparency, create confidence and improve understanding and cooperation. The restructuring of the Security Council membership is long overdue. Diversity is essential in that respect. I agree that terrorism is one of three main scourges confronting humankind today — the others being poverty and disease. My Government condemns those deliberate callous and inhuman acts that have taken the lives of innocent people. There is no just act of terrorism. We agree that we must work collectively in eliminating that deadly menace from the face of the Earth.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The United Nations remains indispensable for future peace and prosperity. Globalization has brought nations together; we are interlinked and interdependent, and that requires global cooperation and governance from all responsible Members of the Organization. Understandably, there are vested interests held by the powerful. That requires genuine cooperation and goodwill, and those interests and the role of the United Nations must converge in order to ensure compatibility with the international legal framework. My Government fully supports efforts to reform the United Nations system so as to ensure a stronger and more effective Organization.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Some of us preach strongly on democracy the world over, yet are unable to practice and enforce those values when it really matters. We are now on the threshold of a new beginning, so let us not allow this new opportunity to pass. At the summit, I said that tolerance and respect must form the nucleus for any reform of the United Nations. Only by enforcing those values will we come to realize the true meaning of justice, equality and human rights. The diversity of the developing world presents huge challenges for us all. However, the strong nations must be able to muster the political will to effect changes. The big players need to transform their philosophy and their mindset, because they have been hindrances to the creation of an equitable system of good governance within multilateral organizations such as the United Nations.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It has become so chronic that it has weakened 2 the multilateral focus, cohesiveness and internationalism of the United Nations.” (A/59/PV.14, p. 25) The principles of democratization and good governance, so actively advocated and championed by some Members, must be reflected in the reorganization and decision-making process of the United Nations system. If we are to get back on track, the United Nations must be rejuvenated. It must be reinvigorated so that it can reassume its legitimate and central responsibility in addressing the causes of conflict, maintaining peace and security and promoting the development agenda. But if it is to do that, the Organization’s decision- making and other processes must be transparent and truly democratized.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The United Nations must be able to do more and must respond more promptly to such situations. It must do so by improving its preventive-capacity mechanisms so as to minimize the devastating impact on peoples’ livelihood and to ease their suffering. We must ask, therefore, whether we are really doing enough for our peoples. Is this all about impressive speeches, rhetoric and pretentious, grandiose plans that detract from the real issues that need addressing? My Government is disillusioned by the lack of genuine goodwill and support that is being offered to the United Nations. I would like to reiterate my Government’s message to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session. “The Achilles heel of the current structure is the imbalance of power in the United Nations system.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This year is especially important, since leaders are meeting five years after the Millennium Summit to take stock of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although the outcome document has been adopted, we are extremely disappointed with the omission of numerous paragraphs. The farcical ending of the negotiations resulted in a dilution of the quality of the final document. The United Nations must, in future, avoid becoming a rubber stamp for the powerful. The world is at a crossroads. Our meeting is taking place at a critical juncture. Civil and political strife, wars, poverty, diseases, famine, drought, natural disasters, terrorism, minority oppression and environmental degradation are affecting the lives of millions of people. The sacrilege of such human suffering is unbelievable and painful to bear.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I bring warm greetings from the people of the Republic of Vanuatu. At the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixtieth session. I assure you of my Government’s support for the work of the United Nations under your stewardship. I take this opportunity also to acknowledge, with deep admiration, the sterling dedication of your predecessor, Mr. Jean Ping, who meticulously steered the work of the fifty-ninth session to its conclusion. I would like also to pay tribute to the Secretary-General for his active role and for his resilience in continuing the work of United Nations reform. We come to the Assembly annually to reaffirm our faith and confidence in the purposes and principles of the Charter.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)