YouSaid · the spoken record

Robert G. Mugabe

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS ROBERT G. MUGABE

lines on the record: 143
first: 1988-09-24
most recent: 2012-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
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

“We wish to remind those who have maintained sanctions against us that there is international consensus — fully supported by the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement and the rest of the progressive world — that these sanctions must go. We hope they will go. Allow me to conclude by reaffirming Zimbabwe’s commitment to the principles that have brought us together in the United Nations for the last 67 years. My country is confident that in this inextricably interdependent world, our commitment to the common good, which the Organization embodies, will be resolute and enduring. Zimbabwe will continue to stand firm and to condemn unilateralism, the imposition of unwarranted and illegal sanctions on nations and the unwarranted extraterritorial application of national laws.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We shall not be bought off with empty promises, nor shall we accept some cosmetic tinkering with the Security Council disguised as reform. It is indeed a travesty of justice that the African continent, which accounts for almost a third of the membership represented in this Assembly, has no permanent representation in the Council. Is that good governance? Is that democracy? And is that justice? My delegation condemns unreservedly the economic sanctions imposed against my country and people in an unjustified effort to deny them the chance to fully benefit from their natural resource endowment.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The General Assembly must remain the main deliberative, policy-making organ of the United Nations. We have been seized with the debate on the reform of the Security Council for far too long. My delegation fully supports the current intergovernmental negotiations on the reform and expansion of the Council. However, we wish to caution against an open-ended approach that short-changes those of us from regions that are not represented at all among the permanent membership of the Council. Zimbabwe stands by Africa’s demand for two permanent seats, complete with a veto if the veto is to be retained, plus two additional non-permanent seats, as clearly articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. For how long will the international community continue to ignore the aspirations of a whole continent of 54 countries?”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is therefore critical that those structures be reformed and realigned in response to both global challenges and our contemporary realities, in order to enable them to better serve our collective interests. This Assembly is the most representative organ within the United Nations family. We must therefore dedicate ourselves to finding consensus on measures to revitalize it so that it fulfils its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Charter. We wish to reiterate our deep concern that the mandate, powers and jurisdiction of the General Assembly are shrinking as a consequence of the Security Council’s gradual encroachment on the Assembly’s areas of competence. That, in our view, upsets the delicate balance envisaged under the Charter and undermines the overall effectiveness of the United Nations system.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We are concerned by the clear and growing evidence that the concept of responsibility to protect has begun to be applied and seriously abused, thus inevitably compromising and undermining the cardinal principle of the sovereignty of States and the United Nations Charter principles of territorial integrity and non-interference in the domestic affairs of countries. For the international community to successfully deal with global economic, social, security and environmental challenges, the existence of international institutions to handle them and a culture of genuine multilateralism are critical. The United Nations, its specialized agencies and international financial institutions are the only instruments available for responding effectively to the global challenges we face in the global village.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Effective cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations will become viable and sustainable only when developed on the basis of mutual respect and support, as well as on shared responsibility and commitment. It is regrettable to note that certain unacceptable concepts are currently being foisted on the United Nations membership in the absence of intergovernmental mandates. For instance, there is no agreement yet on the concept of the responsibility to protect, especially with respect to the circumstances under which it might be invoked.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We need to take stock of the inspiring Preamble to the United Nations Charter, where the plenipotentiaries who met in San Francisco in 1945 undertook to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. That is especially pertinent at present, when global events represent a radical departure from that solemn and noble San Francisco declaration. What do the NATO alliance members have to say about that, one may ask. It is therefore important that the Security Council should respect and support the decisions, processes and priorities of regional organizations. In contrast, recent events — as has already been stated — particularly with reference to Africa, have demonstrated the scant regard that the United Nations and certain powerful members of the international community give to the pivotal role of regional organizations.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In pursuing thst cause, my delegation strongly believes that adherence to the Charter of the United Nations should be a solemn obligation of all Member States. We have noticed, with deep regret, that the provisions of the United Nations Charter dealing with the peaceful settlement of disputes have, on occasion, been ignored by the Security Council. In contrast, there appears to be an insatiable appetite for war, embargoes, sanctions and other punitive actions, even on matters that are better resolved through multilateral cooperation and dialogue. Instead of resorting to the peaceful resolution of disputes, we are daily witnessing a situation where might is now right. We have said, “Well, yes, those who are powerful might hang on the principle that might is right”, but certainly right is also might.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is one that can be abused, and it has been abused. And, anyway, it is still being debated. Zimbabwe fi rmly believes in the peaceful settlement of disputes between and among States in a manner that is consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations. In the maintenance of international peace and security, much more must be done to prevent conflicts from erupting in the first place, and to prevent relapses once a situation has been stabilized. Beyond deploying adequate resources for managing conflicts, it is important to address their underlying causes, and to pursue, more proactively, a comprehensive approach focusing on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, peace-maintenance and development.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“No, he was the head of a country that sat on tons and tons of oil. It was oil they required, and we saw companies — indeed, one such company was headed by a brother of Bush — rushing to suck oil from Iraq. That is also what happened with Libya. The situation they created in Iraq has now brought about greater instability than there ever was. We have Sunnis rising against Shias, and vice versa, let alone the disastrous economic consequences of that unlawful invasion. The economy is unstable, society unstable, and people are fighting one another. Libya has been made equally unstable after NATO’s deceitful intervention under the sham cover of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations and the phony principle of the responsibility to protect. I listened to the speech made by the Secretary- General. He made reference to that principle.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“This is what we in the African Union stress — the settlement of disputes in a peaceful way, through dialogue. The warmongers of our world have done us enough harm. Wherever they have imposed themselves, chaos in place of peace has been the result. One example was the situation created by the Bush-Blair illegal campaign in Iraq — an illegal campaign undertaken because it was alleged that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, when it was well known to those two and their Governments that he did not have such weapons — and, indeed, after invading Iraq, creating much havoc and getting rid of Saddam Hussein, they admitted that he had no weapons of mass destruction. So why had they attacked Iraq in the first place? Why did they seek to get rid of Saddam Hussein? Was it merely because he was a dictator, as they alleged?”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“But the increasing trend among the NATO member States, inspired by the arrogant belief that they are the most powerful among us — demonstrated in their recent resort to unilateralism and military hegemony in Libya — is the very antithesis of the basic principles of the United Nations. In the case of Libya, the African Union and its peacemaking role was defied, ignored and humiliated. The African Union sought dialogue between the Libyan authorities and the so-called revolutionaries. May we urge the international community to collectively nip this dangerous and unwelcome aggressive development in the bud before it festers. In that regard, the theme that the President has chosen for this session — “Bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means” — is very appropriate.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Equally important, the United Nations must, in future, never allow itself to be abused, as it was in the case I referred to earlier, when NATO sought under Chapter VII authority to protect civilians, but it did not turn out to be that. In the future, the Security Council must never allow itself to be abused by any Member State or group of States that seeks to achieve parochial, partisan goals. The Charter of the United Nations clearly stipulates that it is an international body that should work for the good of all the peoples of the world, big and small. We recognize that there are existing and emerging threats and challenges that continue to frustrate our individual and collective efforts to attain greater economic development and social progress, as well as peace and security.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“So the death of Al-Qadhafi must be seen in the same tragic vein as the death of Chris Stevens. We condemn both. Let me begin by reaffirming the rightful and important role of the United Nations in the management of issues affecting international peace and security. In the quest for a more just and equitable international order, Zimbabwe remains strongly opposed to unilateralism and committed to multilateralism. We would therefore like to see a United Nations that continues to be a guarantor of world peace and security and a bulwark in the fight for justice and equality among nations. It behoves us all, therefore, to take the necessary steps to ensure that the United Nations is not marginalized on international issues.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The mission was strictly to protect civilians, but it became a brutal hunt for Al-Qadhafi and his family. NATO caught up with them. Al-Qadhafi and some of his children suffered the brutal deaths about which we know. As the United States President spoke, I am sure that that he was aware that his country, as a NATO Power, had, alongside the other NATO Powers, the authority under Chapter VII to operate in Libya in order to protect civilians. But is that what the operation turned out to be? In a very dishonest manner, we saw the authority entrusted under Chapter VII being used as a weapon in order to rout a whole family and to commit the murders that occurred in that country. Bombs were hurled in a callous manner. Quite a number of civilians died. Was that the protection they had sought under Chapter VII of the Charter?”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“I am sure that we were all moved and that we all agree that it was, indeed, an appalling event that we all condemn. A year ago, we saw the barbaric and brutal death of the Head of State of Libya, which is a member of the African Union. His death occurred in a context in which NATO was operating supposedly in order to protect civilians. As we join the United States in spirit in condemning the Ambassador’s death, will the United States also join us in condemning the barbaric death of the Head of State of Libya, Al-Qadhafi? That great and tragic loss to Africa occurred in circumstances in which NATO had sought the authority of the Security Council under Chapter VII to operate in Libya in the protection of civilians, who were said to be at the mercy of the Government of Libya, led by Colonel Al-Qadhafi.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“On behalf of my delegation and myself, may I extend to Mr. Jeremić our warmest congratulations on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. His extensive experience in both regional and international affairs will undoubtedly enrich the debate and the proceedings during this session. I wish to assure him of the full cooperation of Zimbabwe as he discharges the onerous duties of that high office. If I may be allowed, I would like to preface my speech with a reference to the most glowing and moving speech that we heard from the President of the United States yesterday (see A/67/PV.6), the significance of which was to get us to condemn the tragic death of the United States Ambassador to Libya.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our great country is indeed marching forward in peace and unity.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Achievements in the economic area include the revitalization of capacity utilization in industries, the containment of inflation, improvement of service delivery in health and education, as well as the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure such as roads, water and sanitation facilities. The three parties to our GPA have worked hard to implement most of the issues that we agreed on. To maintain the momentum, we need the support of the region and that of the international community. In this regard we commend the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, the Non- Aligned Movement and indeed like-minded members of the international community for giving us their support. We believe that constructive engagement, and not isolation and punishment, will bring the necessary impetus to the efforts of our inclusive Government.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is our sincere hope that the current negotiations under way will be inclusive and eventually lead to the cherished goal of a sovereign State of Palestine, thus ending decades of suffering for the Palestinian people. Since its inception in February 2009, our Inclusive Government has fostered an environment of peace and stability. Several reforms have been implemented, and the Government has created and instituted constitutional bodies agreed to in the Global Political Agreement (GPA). The constitutional outreach programme is currently under way and upon its conclusion a new draft constitution will be formulated as precursor to a referendum next year, hopefully to be followed by an election.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Every year, this body adopts a resolution on ending the economic, commercial and financial 9 10-54965 embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. To this date, those resolutions have gone unheeded by the United States and the result has been the continued suffering of the people of Cuba. Zimbabwe joins the Non-Aligned Movement and other well-meaning countries which call for the immediate lifting of the ruinous embargo. Zimbabwe has expressed its concerns with regard to the continued stalemate in the Middle East peace process. It is unacceptable that, decades on, peace continues to elude that part of the world. We call upon all parties involved, particularly Israel, to respect the relevant resolutions passed by the United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“These illegal sanctions have caused untold suffering among Zimbabweans, who alone should be the deciders of regime change. Our Inclusive Government is united against these illegal sanctions and has made repeated appeals without success for their immediate and unconditional removal. The rest of the international community, including the Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the African Union, has similarly called for the removal of the sanctions, but these calls have gone unheeded. We urge those who imposed these iniquitous sanctions to heed the call by the international community to unconditionally remove them. The people of Zimbabwe should, like people of every other sovereign State, be left to freely chart their own destiny.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We also call on the developed world to show commitment to global food security by increasing trade and access to their markets. Developing countries need to break away from the unending cycle of humanitarian assistance, and this can be achieved if they have increased access to developed- country markets. Zimbabwe strongly condemns the use of unilateral economic sanctions and other coercive measures in international relations. Such measures are completely at cross purposes with the principles of international cooperation as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. I say this because my country continues to be a victim of illegal sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States without any reference to the United Nations and with the evil intention of causing regime change.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is our hope that when our negotiators meet in Cancún, Mexico, this December, they will produce an outcome that addresses the needs of those most affected by the effects of climate change. Global food security continues to be a matter of great concern, particularly in the light of increased drought and flooding. We reiterate our call for an urgent and substantial increase in investment in agriculture in developing countries. Global efforts to address the food crisis, the impact of climate change, and the drive to achieve the MDGs must go hand in hand. It is disappointing that the Doha Development Round has stalled, despite nine years of negotiations, mainly due to the intransigence of some countries. The Doha Round of trade must not be allowed to die but must, instead, remain focused on development, as was originally envisaged.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Yet that Conference was significant in its own way. It demonstrated the futility of attempts by the rich and powerful to impose their views and policies on the poor and weak. What we need is not an imposition of solutions based on self-interest, but a consensus on the reduction of harmful emissions and a climate-change regime that balances adaptation and mitigation backed by the transfer of technology and resources. We need to pay special attention to the three pillars of sustainable development, namely, economic growth, social development and environmental protection. In doing so, we should implement the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The developing world, particularly Africa, continues to suffer from the effects of the global economic and financial crises. It is important to understand that the critical issues we face today cannot be addressed effectively when so many countries and regions are left out of the key decision-making processes of the institutions of global governance. We need to participate in the making of policies and decisions that affect our very livelihoods. It is for this reason that we have called, and continue to call, for the reform of multilateral financial institutions, including the Bretton Woods institutions. It is clear that climate change is now one of the most pressing global issues of our time. Copenhagen failed to produce a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, an outcome that many of us had hoped for.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We therefore urge Member States, including those that have vested interests in maintaining the status quo, to give due and fair consideration to Africa’s legitimate demand for two permanent seats, with full powers of veto, plus two additional non-permanent seats. Africa’s plea for justice cannot continue to be ignored. We all have an 10-54965 8 obligation to make the Council more representative, more democratic and more accountable. Zimbabwe continues to advocate greater equality in international economic relations and decision- making structures. We therefore recognize the centrality of the United Nations in setting the global development agenda and believe that it is only a more coherent United Nations system which can better support the realization of all the internationally agreed development goals.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Its position as the chief deliberative policymaking organ of the United Nations should therefore be respected. We need to move with haste and find common ground on how to revitalize the Assembly to enable it to fulfil its mandate as the most important body of the Organization. Most important, this process of revitalization must redress the continued encroachment by the Security Council on issues that fall within the General Assembly’s purview and competence. Our position on the reform of the Security Council is well known. It is completely unacceptable that Africa remains the only continent without permanent representation on the Council. That historical injustice must be corrected.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Most immediately, we must find ways and means to re-establish and assert the pre-eminent role of the United Nations in advancing peace and security, development and the achievement of internationally agreed goals, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Why are the developed Western countries, especially those permanent members of the Security Council with the veto, resisting the democratization of the United Nations organs, especially the Security Council? Are they not the ones who talk glibly about democracy in regard to our developing countries? Or are they sanctimonious hypocrites whose actions contradict their sermons to us? As we all know, the General Assembly is the most representative organ of the United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Zimbabwe yearns for a community of nations that recognizes and respects the sovereign equality of all nations, big and small, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. We all have positive roles to play in promoting peace and development for the benefit of present and future generations. As Members of the United Nations, we have recognized the pressing need to reform our Organization to make it better able to carry out its various mandates. Zimbabwe stands ready to work closely with you, Sir, as well as with other Member States, to ensure that the reform process is speeded up and carried out on the basis of consensus and democratic participation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Allow me once again to extend to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations on your election as President of General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session. I would, at the same time, like to assure you of Zimbabwe’s support and cooperation during your presidency. We are meeting today to reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations and, in particular, to its comprehensive agenda for the promotion of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. We are, however, concerned that the world today continues to witness unbridled acts of aggression, wars, conflicts, terrorism and rising levels of poverty. We are also alarmed that powerful States, which daily preach peace and good governance, continue to trample with impunity upon the sovereignty of poor and weak nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The United Nations and other international organizations that carry the legitimacy of multilateralism should play a leading role in directing the course of events and developments, taking into account the interests of the majority of the Organization’s members in an inclusive, peaceful, just, universal and democratic manner. It is our hope that through our unity, solidarity, cooperation and commitment, the challenges facing the international community can be addressed. Let us rise to the occasion and demonstrate our political will and ability to work together for the good of humanity. Zimbabwe is willing and ready to play its part.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Where stand their humanitarian principles, we ask, when their illegal sanctions are ruining the lives of our children? We simply call for an immediate end to the coercive, illegal and unjustified 50-year economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, which is estimated to have cost Cuba a total of some $96 billion so far. My delegation joins other countries of the Non-Aligned Movement that have repeatedly condemned the use of unilateral coercive measures as a flagrant violation of the norms of international law and international relations, especially as they govern relations between States under the United Nations Charter. Let me conclude by reiterating the need for effective and comprehensive multilateralism to promote a global partnership for peace and development.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Regrettably, while countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region have made huge sacrifices and given Zimbabwe financial and other support at a time when they too are reeling from the effects of the global economic crisis, the Western countries — in particular the United States and the European Union, who imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe — have, to our surprise, and that of SADC and the rest of Africa, refused to remove the sanctions. We wonder what their motives are, and we ask what they would want to see us do. Indeed, some Western countries are working strenuously to divide the parties in the Inclusive Government. If they will not assist the Inclusive Government in rehabilitating our economy, could they please, please stop their filthy clandestine, divisive antics.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We are hopeful that, having secured agreement on the Conference agenda, members will produce a renewed commitment to the three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy. I would now like to turn to developments in my country. Since its formation in February this year, the Inclusive Government in Zimbabwe has demonstrated a conviction and unity of purpose and an unwavering commitment to chart a new vision for the country and to improve the lives of the people in peace and harmony. In the Global Political Agreement, we have defined our priorities as the maintenance of conditions of peace and stability, economic recovery, development, promotion of human rights and improvement of the condition of women and children.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“People living with HIV and AIDS expect delivery on the commitments we have made. 3 09-52463 For sub-Saharan Africa, malaria presents yet another still-formidable challenge. The commitment of the international community and national Governments therefore needs to be strengthened to eradicate the scourge of malaria in our part of the world. We warmly welcome the renewed enthusiasm on the part of Russia and the United States to pursue actions to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons, and we urge other nuclear-armed States to do the same. In this regard, Zimbabwe is honoured to have chaired, in May of this year, the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference and takes this opportunity to thank all members for their support.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In the area of health, efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality and to combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis still fall short of targets despite the commitments made at national and international levels. Over the last few years, Zimbabwe has made great strides in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic, our limited resources notwithstanding. The country has witnessed a drop in the adult prevalence rate from 20 per cent in 2000 to 11 per cent this year. However, we still face a major challenge in increasing the availability of affordable antiretroviral drugs. We therefore continue to urge the international community, in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, to assist in increasing access to affordable essential drugs, particularly for people in Africa.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Regrettably, only a mere $18 billion of this money was allocated to low-income countries, while the developed countries — which caused the crisis, after all — got the lion’s share. The need to ensure global food security has been raised and restated at many international forums. We reiterate our call for an urgent and substantial increase in investment in agriculture in developing countries. It is critical that provisions of agricultural inputs — seeds, fertilizers and chemicals — be put in place for small-scale farmers, particularly women. To achieve this, we need to channel more support towards agriculture, which has dwindled over the last few decades. In addition, we call upon developed countries to remove or reduce their agricultural subsidies and to open up their markets to agricultural products from developing countries.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Such actions should include the development of a global stimulus plan to respond to the crisis and issues related to it. Those measures will not achieve the desired objectives unless accompanied by a comprehensive reform of the Bretton Woods institutions. Such reforms would, inter alia, include representation of sub-Saharan Africa on the Executive Boards of these institutions. We are glad that our unequivocal call for their reform is beginning to bear fruit. We welcome the recent decision by the World Bank to establish three seats for Africa on its Executive Board. We are similarly pleased that, earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund finalized the re-allocation of special drawing rights on the basis of the $250 billion pledged by the Group of 20 at its meeting in April 2009.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, held in June 2009, rightfully positioned the Organization at the centre of efforts to deal with the global financial and economic crisis. The devastating effect of the current global crisis has clearly exposed the folly of leaving the management of the global economy in the hands of a few self-appointed countries and groupings. My delegation, therefore, fully supports the setting up of a follow-up working group under the aegis of the General Assembly. It is urgent and critical that the working group reach an early agreement on immediate policy actions to be taken by the international community in support of developing countries, which have suffered the most as a result of this global financial meltdown.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The reform of the Council is not only desirable but imperative if it is to ensure the successful implementation of its global mandate to maintain international peace and security on behalf of all Member States. The fact that Africa, a major geographical region, remains underrepresented and without a permanent seat on the Security Council is not only a serious and antiquated anomaly whose time for address is overdue. It is also clearly an untenable violation of the principle and practice of democracy in international relations. The reform of the Security Council should urgently take full notice of the African position, which demands two permanent seats, with complete veto power — as long as the veto lasts — plus two additional non-permanent seats.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“As the pre-eminent deliberative and policymaking body of the United Nations, the Assembly should play a more active role in mobilizing action against such challenges 09-52463 2 today as the maintenance of peace and security, the financial and economic crises, economic and social development and climate change. Accordingly, the encroachment of other United Nations organs on the work of the General Assembly is of great concern to us. We therefore reiterate that any process of revitalization should strengthen the principle of the accountability of all principal and subsidiary organs of the United Nations to the Assembly. It is our hope that the current negotiations on the reform of the Security Council will break the deadlock that for some time now has prevented us from making progress in an area of strategic interest to Africa.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Our unchanging conviction is that all international institutions should abide by the universal principles that underlie the multilateral processes of decision-making, particularly, the principle of equality among States and the right to development. It is in this context that we welcome the appropriate, indeed, timely, theme of this session, namely, effective global responses to global crises, and strengthening multilateralism and dialogue among civilizations. It is our hope that we will have a candid and holistic debate on the global responses to the crises that currently affect our world. Zimbabwe supports the revitalization of the General Assembly in order to make it more effective and thus enable it to fulfil its mandate.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“He brought integrity, transparency and credibility to the deliberations of the General Assembly. Indeed, we share his assertion that the “G-192” — that is, the General Assembly — being the most representative body of the United Nations, is the best forum in which to tackle global issues, which include the current financial and economic crises. We commend him for standing up for what is right and for upholding the right of each Member State, no matter how small, to be heard. Over the years, my delegation has underlined the need for the United Nations and other international bodies to truly serve the collective interest of all Member States.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Let me begin by extending our warmest congratulations to you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. Your election to this high office is a fitting and eloquent tribute to the personal and diplomatic qualities that we have witnessed in you over the years. We are indeed proud of the honour that has been bestowed upon the African continent by your election. We are confident that under your wise stewardship we will make pleasing progress on the important agenda before us. In the same vein, Mr. President, I wish to commend your predecessor, the President at the sixty- third session, Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, for having brought his experience and wisdom to bear upon the various meetings and conferences that he presided over during the last year.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We will interact with those in our region and those in organizations to which we belong. In conclusion, let me stress once more that the strength of the United Nations lies in its universality and its impartiality as it implements its mandate to promote peace and security, economic and social development, human rights and international law, as outlined in the Charter. Zimbabwe stands ready to play its part in all efforts and programmes aimed at achieving those noble goals. The Charter of the United Nations is our Charter also in Africa and we uphold it. Wrath unto him who defies the Charter.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We have our own regional and continental organizations and communities. In that vein, I wish to express my countryâ€™s gratitude to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa who, on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), successfully facilitated the dialogue between my ruling party and the opposition parties, which yielded the agreement that has now resulted in the constitutional provisions being finally adopted the amendments to the constitution, which both parties agreed to and which paved the way to the elections for which various parties are now campaigning. Consequently, we will be holding multiple democratic elections in March 2008. Indeed, we have always had timeous general and presidential elections since our independence. We want to be left alone.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“And they want to talk of democracy when they are behaving that way. Let those sinister Governments be told here and now that Zimbabwe will not allow a regime change authored by outsiders. We do not interfere with their systems in America and Britain, where they steal elections, as he did during his first election. We do not interfere. Mr. Bush and Mr. Brown have no role to play in our national affairs. They are outsiders - and mischievous outsiders - and should therefore keep out. The colonial sun set a long time ago in Africa - in 1980 in the case of Zimbabwe. And hence, Zimbabwe will never be a colony again - never, ever. We do not deserve sanctions. We are Zimbabweans and we know how to deal with our own problems. We have done so in the past, well before Bush and Brown were known politically.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“He is in heaven â€” pater noster, qui es in caelis. Indeed, he wants us to pray to him. We say no to him and encourage him to get out of Iraq. Indeed, he should mend his ways before he clambers up the pulpit to deliver pieties of democracy. Is he qualified to speak of democracy? Is he qualified to speak of human rights when he is shedding blood every day? The British and the Americans have gone on a relentless campaign of destabilizing and vilifying my country. They have sponsored surrogate forces to challenge lawful authority in my country. They seek regime change. It is they who seek regime change, not my people. But they think they are entitled to change governments, placing themselves in the role of the Zimbabwean people in whose collective will democracy places the right to define and change regimes.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“America is primarily responsible for rewriting core tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We all seem guilty for 9/11. Mr. Bush thinks he stands above all structures of governance, whether national or international. At home, he apparently does not need the Congress. He defies it. Abroad, he does not need the United Nations; he does not need international law and opinion. â€œI will go to Iraq,â€ he said, â€œwith or without the United Nationsâ€ â€” that is, with or without international law, in defiance of it. This forum did not sanction Blairâ€™s and Bushâ€™s misadventures in Iraq. Did we say yes to it? Did we say yes to the attack on Iraq? The two rode roughshod over the United Nations and international opinion. Almighty Bush: perhaps some might regard him as their god. No, he is not my god. I have but one God.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)