1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Barbados
3. The Bahamas
4. Belize
5. Commonwealth of Dominica
6. Grenada
7. Guyana
8. Jamaica
9. Saint Kitts and Nevis
10. Saint Lucia
11. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
12. Suriname
14. Trinidad and Tobago
Policy Statement by H.E. Dr. Patrick Albert Lewis, Permanent
Representative
of Antigua and Barbuda tO the GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS General Assembly, NEW YORK, November 16, 2001
Mr. President:
Antigua & Barbuda is pleased that this is the United Nation's Year of
Dialogue among Civilizations. It is most appropriate that this is so. However,
we can have meaningful dialogue only if the dominant countries reach out with
genuine understanding when others speak. We can dialogue only if the basic
principles of the United Nations are made into the core of reality. We cannot
dialogue if multilateralism is to remain selective, and if the principle of
rotation continues to be based on demography, military might, and economic
wherewithal. The people of my country represent an integral part of human
civilization, and we wish to contribute our voice and our ideas to the debate on
the future of the journey of humankind on this planet.
The tragic events of September 11 in this the Host Country of the United
Nations has presented a challenge to world civilization. The Parliament of
Antigua & Barbuda on Thursday, October 18 passed strong anti-terrorism
legislation. Also, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), meeting in Special
(Emergency) Session in the Bahamas, 11-12 October recognized terrorism as a
global problem requiring a resolute global response. The Heads of Government
stated: "We are conscious that the unprecedented and barbaric terrorist
assaults of September 11 will require of us extraordinary vigilance and
coordination in the future, to ensure that our territories, our institutions and
our citizens, are not used in any manner to facilitate the activities of
terrorists or to undermine our national and regional security."
We share the agony of the United States, for we too had nationals who
perished in the 11 September atrocity. We fully support UN Security Council
Resolution 1373, which makes it obligatory for all states to impose far-reaching
measures to combat the scourge of terrorism. We support the work of the
Counter-Terrorism Committee. International terrorism is in reality an act of war
against the world's peace-loving peoples. It is imperative that all countries of
the world address in a more meaningful manner the underlying social, economic,
and political problems that cause human misery and perpetuate injustice. We must
act to ensure that the entire global society lives in an environment of freedom,
and to be free from fear. The fight against terrorism will be a long and arduous
one, but it is one in which we must thoroughly and completely engage ourselves.
Antigua and Barbuda has now ratified the Rome Statute for the International
Criminal Court. The citizens of my country believe that in the prospect of an
international criminal court lies the promise of universal justice, as the Court
will have the power to indict individuals. Antigua & Barbuda is certainly
disappointed that crimes pertaining to drug trafficking and terrorism have been
put on the back burner in relation to the ICC, but we are prepared to continue
our dialogue to bring them under the ambit of the ICC when it comes into effect.
The cancer of drug-trafficking will continue to threaten human civilization
until we fashion truly global responses to its menace.
Mr. President:
The battles in Seattle, Windsor and Quebec are an integral part of world
civilization's struggle to humanize globalization. Interestingly, we find
ourselves agreeing with the statement by the IMF's Managing Director in his
address to members of the Deutsche Bundestag on April 2, 2001 in Berlin. Herr
Kohler declared that "it is political and economic madness for OECD
countries to spend $360 billion a year on agricultural subsidies, while poverty
rages in developing countries especially in the rural and farming regions. It is
also overdue for industrial countries to honour their commitment to provide 0.7
percent of GNP for official development assistance."
At the UN Millennium Summit, my own Prime Minister Lester Bird castigated the
OECD for its unilaterally devised set of standards for international taxation to
be imposed on other jurisdictions; and for demanding that States change their
domestic laws to suit OECD purposes. The rule of law had become the rule of the
jungle, where rules do not apply, and only might is right. In reality, the OECD
Harmful Tax Competition project had nothing to do with money laundering, but
more to do with the fact that the OECD believed that its member states would
lose capital to other states with more competitive tax regimes.
Globalization has left states like my own with a feeling of exclusion, a
feeling of being pushed aside and outside, from which we observe the gains of
the dominant. It is a feeling of not participating in the determination of our
destiny. The Green Room process evident at WTO Ministerials has done nothing but
increase our apprehension. We call for serious reform to be undertaken of the
global political and economic architecture, both at the United Nations and at
the World Trade Organization (WTO). The multilateral trading system needs to be
transparent, fair and equitable, and all countries should be able to share in
its benefits.
Mr. President:
Antigua & Barbuda, as a small island state, is extremely vulnerable to
many natural disasters. The most prevalent threat is hurricanes, three of which
impacted our sister states of Belize, Cuba, and the Bahamas. A single hurricane
can set back the development of a small-island state ten years. Between 1995 and
2000, Antigua & Barbuda was hit by seven hurricanes.
We call on the international community to acknowledge in a meaningful way the
vulnerability of small states like Antigua & Barbuda. We point to our lack
of capacity in financial and human resource terms to bounce back from natural
disasters and from external shocks to its economy caused by economic recession
in the major economies of the world, our main trading partners. It is therefore
imperative that we are able to continue to access concessionary financing
through the World Bank.
Our social and economic development needs, including infrastructure, seem not
to register in the boardrooms of the international financial institutions.
Countries like Antigua & Barbuda are viewed as middle-income because of
the per capita income criterion, but this is a flawed measurement and should be
abandoned. Financing for development should take account of a mix of factors,
and should be linked to the vulnerability index, on which UNCTAD has done
important work.
No account is taken of the considerable transaction costs faced by small
states because of their remoteness and the disproportionate burden they bear in
order to effectively participate in world trade. No account is taken of the
openness of our economy to goods and services from all over the world, without
corresponding market access for our own limited range of goods to the markets of
Europe and North America. An inhospitable stranger called non-tariff barriers
continues to slam the trade door in our face.
In these circumstances, Mr. President, we cannot over-emphasize how important
it is for the IMF and the World Bank to apply special and differential treatment
to measuring the fiscal and economic performance of small island states. Our
limited capacity to raise revenue, our necessity to spend at a disproportionate
level in order to maintain a decent standard of living for our people, should
lead the IMF to have special and differential programmes of assistance for small
island states. These programmes should not merely prescribe the traditional
formula of large-scale public-sector dismissals and reduction of public sector
investment programmes.
Instead, innovative ways should be found to provide long-term financing at
repayment periods and rates of interest that would allow small states to
maintain democracy, human rights, low crime rates and economic growth.
My country welcomes the successful conclusion of the Climate Change meeting
in Marrakesh, where the parties to the UN Climate change Convention finalized
the operational details of the Kyoto Protocol, thereby opening the way to
widespread ratification by governments and the Protocol's early entry into
force. It was the result of several years of tough negotiation in which Antigua
and Barbuda was most active. What we now have in place are the institutions and
detailed procedures of the Kyoto Protocol, and the next step is to test their
effectiveness in overseeing the five-percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by
developed countries over the next decade.
The agreements reached in Marrakesh also made important progress on
strengthening the flow of financial and technological support to developing
countries so that they can move towards a sustainable energy future, and sends a
clear signal to business, local governments and the general public that
climate-friendly products, services, and activities will be rewarded by
consumers and national policies alike.
The meeting also adopted the Marrakesh Ministerial declaration as an input
into next September's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
The Declaration emphasizes the contribution that action on climate change can
make to sustainable development and calls for capacity building, technology
innovation, and cooperation with the biodiversity and desertification
conventions. With the Summit a little less than a year away, small island
developing states such as my own, which are amongst the most vulnerable to the
adverse effects of climate change, continue to urge the speedy ratification of
the Protocol. This will require a global coalition among states to ensure that
it enters into force and become legally binding after it has been ratified by at
least 55 Parties to the Convention, including industrialized countries
representing at least 55% of the total 1990 carbon dioxide emissions from this
group. While it remains true that those with the highest per capita levels of
greenhouse gas emissions should take the lead, it is also incumbent upon all
countries to work together to ensure that there is full compliance with
commitments contained in the Protocol.
A paramount concern is the transhipment of nuclear waste through the
Caribbean Sea. The countries of the Caribbean have been insistent that it be
stopped, all to no avail, and our populations live in constant fear of an
accident. We call on those who engage in this deadly traffic to respect the
rights of transit states such as Antigua & Barbuda.
The most populous democracy in the world, India, spoke on the first day of
the General Debate and highlighted concerns which we reiterate: there needs to
be a more determined movement toward the liquidation of external debts of low
income and highly indebted countries; there should be poverty alleviation
programmes designed for countries facing financial crises; and the stabilization
of international prices of primary commodity exports.
Mr. President:
The measures we have outlined above are essential for building a just and
equitable international order. Anything less would simply be the imposition of
the will of the powerful on the weak. All societies are measured by the way they
treat their most vulnerable members, and the international community of nations
is no different. I call on all delegates here assembled to heed the plea of the
victims and to construct an international order which can lift human
civilization to achieve the highest ideals of the United Nations.
I thank you, Mr. President
*****
STATEMENT BY THE HON. BILLIE A. MILLER, M.P.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, AND
MINISTER
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE, BARBADOS,
TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15, 2001
Mr. President,
I join with other delegations in congratulating you on your election to chair
the proceedings of the 56th Session of the General Assembly. I also take this
opportunity to express my deep satisfaction at the award of this year's Nobel
Peace Prize to the United Nations and to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It is a
well deserved vote of confidence in your leadership, Mr. Secretary-General, as
well as recognition of the pivotal role being played by the United Nations in an
era of immense challenge for the international community during these early
years of the twenty-first century. We are greatly reassured that your firm
guidance will continue for a further term to shape the direction of the
Organization.
At this time of renewed sadness for the people of New York and of the
Dominican Republic, may I also offer my deepest condolences to the families and
friends of those who lost their lives in Monday's tragic crash of American
Airlines flight 587.
For all of us, this year's journey to New York to address the 56th Session of
the General Assembly stands in stark contrast to the comfortable annual routine
we have grown to appreciate. We come instead to a city behind barricades, a
people traumatized and bewildered, a mood of foreboding and uncertainty on the
streets and in these corridors. The horror of terrorism, Mr. President, one that
has scarred innocent lives for decades in the Middle East, in Northern Ireland
and other parts of Europe, in Asia, Africa, and in Latin America, has now landed
on these shores with a fury and intensity that few of us would have thought
possible.
The Government of Barbados has been explicit and unequivocal in its
condemnation of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and has pledged to
cooperate fully with the international community in the sustained effort to
respond to this global threat. No cause or grievance can ever justify the use of
violence as a means of settling disputes or legitimize the taking of innocent
lives. The use of terrorism is incompatible with the ideals of the United
Nations and cannot be allowed to prevail.
Barbados shares America's grief, for we too have lost five proud and hard
working citizens to this senseless carnage. We share America's bewilderment, and
disbelief, for our citizens too have experienced that sense of violation and
loss of innocence that comes with an unprecedented terrorist strike. 25 years
ago, on October 6th, 1976, the unthinkable happened to Barbados, with the
terrorist downing of a Cubana Airlines Flight just outside of our territorial
waters. Although the masterminds of that attack were identified and apprehended
they were never punished for their crime, but instead encouraged to remain
actively engaged in their campaign of terror. We share America's sense of
outrage and determination to bring the perpetrators of the September 11th
attacks to justice. We muss: also insist that there be zero tolerance for
terrorism, whatever it's source or ideology.
Mr. President, terrorism is a global problem which requires a global
solution. For many years the United Nations has recognized the threat which
terrorism poses to the promotion and maintenance of world peace. Since 1963,
when this Organization adopted its first anti-terrorism Convention, some one
dozen related Conventions have been approved by the International Community.
Barbados is a party to seven of these instruments. Earlier this week I had the
honor of signing the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist
Financing. Our Government is actively reviewing the remaining Conventions and
their administrative and legislative implications with a view to providing for
early adherence.
Mr. President, Barbados is committed to taking all necessary measures to
minimize the risk of terrorist acts being perpetrated or financed in or from its
national territory. A thorough review of security has been undertaken at our
airport and seaport, and our authorities have taken immediate action to ensure
compliance with the enhanced ICAO and FAA guidelines issued post September 11th.
We have also taken legislative action to further strengthen our already well
regulated financial services regime through amendments to the Money Laundering
(Prevention and Control) Act, and the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act.
Within the Caribbean Community we have agreed to increase cooperation in
intelligence gathering, analysis and dissemination among our security and
enforcement personnel. We expect shortly to be in a position to report in detail
to the Security Council on measures it has taken in compliance with the terms of
Resolution 1373.
Just as we agree that terrorism is a global phenomenon from which no country
can consider itself immune, so too must we understand that it is a complex
problem necessitating a multidimensional response. As our Secretary General has
so aptly put it: "We face two possible futures: a mutually destructive
clash between so-called "civilizations" based on the exaggeration of
religious and cultural differences; or a global community, respecting cultural
diversity and rooted in universal values. The latter must be our choice - but we
can only achieve it if we bring real hope to the billions now trapped in
poverty, conflict and disease."
We must all accept that the quest against terrorism can never hope to succeed
if it is viewed simply as a military campaign to strike at the power base of the
latest practitioners of terror. It must also seek to find effective and lasting
solutions to the problems of underdevelopment, poverty and deprivation,
inequality, intolerance and injustice that marginalise so large a percentage of
the world's population. For it is from these conditions of hopelessness and
despair that spring new converts to the cause of terrorism.
The events of September 11 th, and the extent to which they have impacted on
the economic fortunes of all of our countries, have shown us the other face of
globalization: the reality of our growing economic interdependence. Now more
than ever there is need to recognize the value of multilateralism and the
pre-eminent role of the United Nations in the search for lasting solutions to
the challenges that will confront us in the early years of this new century. The
importance of giving priority to a revitalized Development Agenda cannot be
understated.
In this regard, Barbados looks to the International Conference on Financing
for Development as a constructive forum for refocusing the dialogue on effective
mechanisms for the implementation of the stalled development agenda. We support
the need for reform of the international economic and financial architecture to
meet the current development challenges. We are pleased that international tax
cooperation will be one of the issues discussed at the Conference.
Many developing countries, including Barbados were encouraged to diversify
into the financial services sector as a viable development alternative, and now
derive a significant proportion of their national revenue from this source. We
therefore continue to insist on the need for universal participation in
decisions that affect the operation of this sector.
Mr. President, Barbados is far advanced in the implementation of its national
commitments under Agenda 21. We believe that the World Summit on Sustainable
Development presents an important opportunity to build a new and expanded
relationship with our development partners for the full implementation of
commitments already undertaken at Rio. Johannesburg should not merely review the
status of progress of Rio, but should also outline strategies for dealing
decisively with the sustainable development challenges that have emerged since
1992. For all Small Island Developing States, follow up of the Barbados Program
of Action will form an integral part of this process.
Naturally, the Caribbean Basin countries will continue with their efforts to
create a special regime for the Caribbean Sea with the ultimate goal of
achieving its recognition as a special area in the context of sustainable
development.
It is no secret that the efforts towards the creation of a new international
trading system have led to bitter disappointment for the majority of developing
countries, who have been severely disadvantaged by the imbalance of rights,
obligations, benefits and concessions agreed at Uruguay, and by the failure of
Seattle to address that imbalance. We hope that the Doha decision to launch a
New Round will lead to a meaningful resolution of these critical developing
country concerns. We are convinced that sustained economic and social progress
for the developing world will only be achievable within the framework of a fair,
equitable and inclusive trading arrangement, which gives due recognition to the
differences in size and level of development of member states. We welcome the
agreement on drug patents, which represents a major victory for the efforts of
developing countries to respond to their priority public health needs and is of
great significance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The impact of the September 11 th events on the Caribbean has been immediate
and severe. The economic repercussions have served to emphasize the extreme
fragility and vulnerability of our small states in the international economy.
The countries of the Caribbean Community, whose economies are heavily dependent
on tourism and financial services, have joined forces to coordinate a regional
emergency response and recovery strategy to mitigate the effects of the crisis.
It is clear, however, that responses at the national and regional levels alone
will be inadequate to deal with the magnitude of this unprecedented situation.
In the words of the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon Owen Arthur:
"the international financial community has traditionally required
developing countries to rely heavily on policy responses to deal with economic
crisis. But the situation that we face has not been caused by policy failure,
recklessness nor financial excesses by developing countries. Policy responses
without the commitment of real financial resources will therefore not suffice.
Barbados therefore stands ready to support a well conceived response from the
international financial community to the crisis at hand".
Mr. President, it is the mission of the United Nations to promote the
peaceful co-existence and the political, social and economic welfare of the
world's peoples. It is in this context that we must recognize the significance
of the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerances, and renew our confidence in the capacity of multilateral
organizations to resolve differences and promote a sense of shared values. This
Conference presented a unique opportunity for countries to take a proactive
approach in diffusing both historic and contemporary conflicts, and in coming to
terms with the injustices of the past and creating new understandings for the
future. We regret that in many respects the Conference did not get the serious
high level attention it deserved, and that the treatment of its fundamental
issues was less wide ranging and definitive than we would have wished. For in
the words of Professor Hilary Beckles, of the Barbados delegation:" the
crisis of modernity that finds expression in spiraling racial hatred, xenophobia
and related intolerance is not the sole burden of any one part of the global
community, even though the victims of the crimes of which I speak continue to
feel in -the course of everyday life the kind of pain and anguish not easily
imagined by others."
The citizens of the Caribbean are a transplanted people who have forged from
the crucible of slavery, colonialism and economic exploitation a vibrant,
pluralistic, multiracial society built on tolerance and respect for ethnic,
religious and cultural diversity. In these difficult times, we believe that
there is much to learn from our experiences and much that can be done to promote
the culture of peace and understanding especially among the youth. In this
regard, Barbados attaches importance to the early convening of the United
Nations Special Session on Children, and a rededication of efforts towards the
achievement of the International Development Targets already set.
Mr. President, we would do well to remember that, in the words of the
Secretary-General: "none of the issues that faced us on September 10th has
become less urgent".
It would be an unfortunate irony if the global response to terrorism were
conducted in such a manner, through the massive redeployment of resources from
other priorities, such as the fight against narco-trafficking, extreme poverty,
disease and environmental degradation, as to further exacerbate the economic,
political and cultural instabilities which are the primary breeding ground for
terrorism. Small countries like my own are not part of the problem but we are
nevertheless required to be part of the solution, in circumstances which place a
disproportionate burden on our financial, human and administrative resources,
which had already been struggling to respond to the global economic recession.
Barbados remains fully committed to the United Nations system, and to the
values, which it seeks to promote. We are keenly aware of the important work,
which the United Nations continues to carry out in the Eastern Caribbean. We are
pleased to provide tangible support for that work through the provision of
purpose built headquarters to house the seven Agencies whose sub-regional
offices are located in Bridgetown. We will continue to work closely with the
agencies in developing a model partnership for Eastern Caribbean development. In
this context we welcome the support of the UNDP, in partnership with the IMF and
the Government of Canada for the Caribbean Technical Assistance Center which was
inaugurated last week in Barbados. We look forward to similar levels of UN
cooperation for other important programs, in particular that of UNDCP, whose
work is providing critical support to the region in an extremely volatile
international economic and security environment.
Two years ago the Prime Minister of Barbados emphasized that we were leaving
the Twentieth Century and entering the Twenty First: "conscious of the
dangers, but excited by the prospects". Recent events must not be allowed
to dampen our optimism. We must remain firm in the hope that humanity possesses
the fortitude and determination to triumph in the face of extreme adversity, and
that respect for diversity, human dignity, and the sanctity of human life will
prevail.
We are not expected to complete the task, Mr. President, but neither are we
at liberty to abstain from it.
I thank you.
*****
STATEMENT by H.E. Mr. Anthony Charles ROLLE, Chairman of the Delegation,
THE BAHAMAS, TO the General Debate of the 56th Session of the UNITED NATIONS
General Assembly, NEW YORK, 13 November 2001
Mr. President,
You have been elected to Chair what is undoubtedly one of the most
challenging sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in recent times. My
delegation congratulates you on your election; we pledge our full support to
you; we express our confidence that under your leadership, the work of this
Assembly will positively impact on our collective efforts to meet the many
challenges facing our world.
My delegation also takes this opportunity to commend your predecessor, His
Excellency Harry Holkeri of Finland, for his commendable leadership as President
of the Fifty-fifth Session of Millennium Assembly.
Mr. President,
We are in times of great tragedy, but also of laudable triumphs. Our
Secretary-General and United Nations have rendered outstanding and inspiring
service to the peoples of the world. Mr. Secretary General, we celebrate
with you and this organization the well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize awarded to
you, even as we express our appreciation for the exemplary leadership you
continue to provide to the United Nations.
Mr. President,
My delegation also wishes to take this opportunity to express its sincere
sympathy to the Governments of the United States and the Dominican Republic and
to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash of a US domestic
aircraft in New York yesterday.
Mr. President,
While recognizing the many challenges the global community would face in the
twenty-first century, leaders at last year’s Millennium Assembly nonetheless,
were optimistic that peace and prosperity would be important hallmarks of the
new century. Their hopes have been severely undermined by the indefensible acts
of terrorism perpetrated in the United States on September 11 2001.
The horrific scenes of death and destruction in New York, Washington and
Philadelphia, so indelibly etched in our minds have, no doubt, changed the world
forever. The Government and People of The Bahamas mourned with those from
countries all over the world, including our sister Caribbean countries, which
lost loved ones, and expressed our sadness at the senseless loss of life and the
wanton destruction of property.
Even as events in Afghanistan unfold, the United Nations and indeed the
world, now face a dilemma – how to confront the grave challenge which
international terrorism has defiantly issued to the world, and at the same time,
meet the Charter obligations to promote human rights and social progress and
better standards of life in larger freedoms.
We must, Mr. President, be visionary and creative, in ensuring that the
resources and energies of the United Nations, and of the international
community, are used to implement a balanced agenda that would deal effectively
and resolutely with terrorists and terrorism, and also continue to positively
impact human rights, economic and social development and other common
objectives.
Mr. President,
The international community has spoken with one voice in condemning
international terrorism as a major destabilizing force in the world. The acts of
September 11 2001, fundamentally shifted security concerns regarding terrorists
and terrorism to the workplace, streets and homes of innocent people, creating
anxiety, insecurity and uncertainty worldwide.
Significantly, the terrorist acts have had serious and damaging consequences
on a rapidly globalising world economy. The economies of both industrialized and
developing countries have been severely disrupted, with grave implications for
future economic and financial stability.
The economic outlook, particularly for many developing countries, is indeed
grim. The small economies of the countries in the Caribbean have experienced
massive disruption, given their vulnerability to external shocks, and heavy
dependence on tourism, especially from the North American market. There has been
significant loss of employment in the tourism, financial services and related
sectors, even as governments’ revenues have fallen, and foreign reserves are
threatened.
The countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have moved decisively to
assess the implications of the terrorist attacks on its member states. As Chair
of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, The Bahamas was host to a
Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference held 11 –12 October, 2001, which
adopted the Nassau Declaration on International Terrorism. That Declaration sets
out the action governments would take to mitigate the impact on the region’s
tourism, aviation, financial services and agricultural sectors, which are the
major contributors to the GNP, foreign exchange earnings and employment in the
countries of the region.
CARICOM Heads of Government also unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its
forms, and reaffirmed their commitment to work with the international community
in the multifaceted fight against terrorism, in accordance with international
law and conventions. It is therefore our hope, Mr. President, that the
international community will support the countries of CARICOM during this
difficult and challenging period.
Mr. President,
We in The Bahamas have taken our obligation to co-operate in the fight
against terrorism very seriously. We have complied with Security Council
Resolutions, including resolution 1333, which calls for the freezing of funds
and other financial assets of Usama bin Laden, the Al Queda organization and
individuals associated with it. The International Obligations (Economic and
Ancillary Measures (Afghanistan) Order 2001, enacted in our Parliament, in
September of this year, prohibits any person dealing with any property and any
financial institution licensed in The Bahamas from transacting business with
Usama bin Laden, Al-Queda or any individuals or entities associated with them,
and who, for these purposes, may be designated from time to time.
We have been able to take such timely action because of the comprehensive
legislation enacted and implemented, as well as the effective regulatory regime
established by my Government to ensure that its financial services sector is not
abused by criminals for money-laundering or other financial crimes. It is this
decisive action, which resulted in the Financial Action Task Force’s removal
of The Bahamas from its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in the fight
against money-laundering in June of this year.
As part of its overall review of the international regime for action against
terrorists and terrorism, my Government, in October of this year, signed the
United Nations Convention on the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. We
are following closely the discussions on a comprehensive convention against
terrorism, in determining what further action the Government will take in this
area. We hope that a comprehensive, practical and implementable instrument would
be adopted, that would take into account the existing anti-terrorism regime. In
this, we see a clearly delineated role for the United Nations, and particularly
the Security Council, which is well placed to articulate a coherent policy for
global co-operation in the fight against international terrorism.
Meeting our obligations, however, has not been without sacrifice. The
Bahamas, like many other CARICOM countries, has been obliged to divert scarce
resources from other critical development objectives to initiate the sweeping
security changes required at airports and sea ports and to otherwise mitigate
the impact of the September 11 events.
For the Government and people of The Bahamas, the ravages of Hurricane
Michelle have further compounded the significant economic setbacks caused by the
September 11 events in the United States. Just last week that Hurricane made a
direct hit on our Archipelagic state, causing extensive damage to
infrastructure, agriculture and vegetation in some of the major islands.
Government is still determining the extent of the damage, but has already begun
the essential period of reconstruction.
Mr. President,
Globalization and trade liberalization are, and must remain, central issues
on the world’s agenda. Generally, globalization has presented significant
opportunities, and has had positive impact for many countries. However, for
others, particularly in the developing world, the freer flow of capital,
technology, finance, goods and services across national boundaries - the essence
of globalization - has not met the stated objectives of improving overall
economic prosperity, reducing poverty and closing the technological gap.
To the contrary, the social costs of globalization - poverty, inequality, and
unemployment – remain serious challenges for many of the countries of the
developing world. These challenges are further compounded by factors including
an onerous debt burden, limited or inadequate export infrastructure to
effectively participate in the global trading system, and inability to access
the markets of the developed world.
My Government, nevertheless, is cognizant that the international trading
regime of the World Trade Organization (WTO) provides a significant framework
within which countries may benefit from globalization and trade liberalization,
and work towards appropriately addressing the costs and risks they may import to
the global trading system. In July of this year, The Bahamas submitted its
application for accession to the WTO. WTO membership is a priority for my
Government, and we hope that our application will receive the requisite support.
Mr. President,
We are in the period leading up to late 2002, during which the United Nations
is defining its economic and social development agenda with greater precision,
through a series of assessments of international action in specific areas. The
Bahamas was pleased to have participated in the organization’s review of its
work, and setting of its agenda, for further action in the areas of racism,
racial discrimination and human settlements and the illicit trade in small arms
and light weapons. My Government believes that every effort should be made to
consolidate those areas in which progress was made at the World Conference on
Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that took
place in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 8 September of this year. Global
objectives in respect of Human Settlements received considerable impetus from
the Special Session on Human Settlements that took place in New York in June
2001. The Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New
Millennium, adopted by the Conference, should prove invaluable in addressing
chronic problems of inadequate shelter.
The United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in all its Aspects addressed a problem that for the small countries of
the Caribbean is a particularly serious one. We would have wished for the
Conference to have been more forthright in its adoption of measures to better
address these critical issues, but readily accept the Programme of Action to
Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons
in all its Aspects as an essential first step. Decisions taken at these
and other United Nations meetings, Mr. President, are indeed decisions of the
organization, which The Bahamas hopes will be implemented as such by all member
states.
Mr. President,
Few countries in the world, if any, have been spared, the vagaries of
HIV/AIDS. The statistics are compelling – over 30 million people affected.
With respect to the developing world, they are even more compelling - more than
95% of those affected live in the developing world. The Caribbean region has not
been spared, but we are taking decisive action. Our Pan-Caribbean Partnership,
launched in February of this year, has the full support and commitment of Heads
of Government for effective action against HIV/AIDS in the wider Caribbean. The
Government of The Bahamas welcomes the contribution of the Government of Canada
to the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Programme.
The recent Special Session on HIV/AIDS, held in New York in June 2001 gave
Heads of State and Government the opportunity to set an agenda for slowing and
reversing the destructive impact of HIV/AIDS around the world. It is an agenda
that must be implemented, to halt and reverse this tragedy that is devastating
populations and threatening to reverse development gains made in many developing
countries. The developing world will, and must, look for help and support to
those having the technology, research capacity, and resources, and which have
themselves been able to control the spread of this deadly disease.
The year 2002 will also be an active one both for United Nations benchmark
assessments and readjustment of priorities, and for addressing significant
issues on the international agenda. The International Conference on Financing
for Development will be convened in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002. As plans
develop, we hope that all members of the United Nations will come to appreciate
the need to ensure that the Conference provides the framework within which
commitments can be made such that technical assistance could be provided to poor
countries for basic infrastructural development, the standards of people
worldwide who live in endemic poverty can be raised, developing countries can be
assisted in attracting foreign direct investment, and information and technology
would be more freely transferred to developing countries. My Government,
for its part, is of the view that small developing, middle-income countries such
as The Bahamas, because of their economic and ecological vulnerabilities, would
not be excluded from development financing.
It is also the view of my Government that the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, to be convened in South Africa in September 2002, should be
complementary to undertakings made in the International Conference on Financing
for Development. Ten years after the Rio Summit of 1992, the ever increasing
fury of natural disasters, climate change and sea level rise, and the depletion
of biological resources, and overall environmental degradation are but some of
the issues begging reassessment, that must be part of the blueprint for
determined action emanating from South Africa.
Likewise, The Bahamas hopes that the Second World Assembly on Ageing, to be
held in Madrid, Spain in 2002, and the Special Session of the United Nations
General Assembly on Children, postponed to 2002, should assess progress, but
more importantly, must emphasize action that will provide guidance for national,
regional and international policy and planning in their respective areas.
Mr. President,
The initiatives the United Nations will take up in 2002 to review and assess
progress in a significant number of areas should bring clearly into focus the
actions that must be taken by member states and by the organization to
accomplish agreed economic and social objectives. It is the hope of The Bahamas
that these reviews will be followed by a period of intense implementation of
decisions that have been agreed, so that qualitative and quantitative
improvements may be realized in all areas.
We believe that such improvements are essential, but must be in concert with
United Nations initiatives to meet demands in other critical areas, such as
conflict resolution, war and humanitarian crises worldwide. They should also be
in concert with the organization’s efforts to address effectively and
comprehensively issues such as illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons,
alien smuggling and refugee flows which do not respect national boundaries. In
all such cases, the danger of inaction could have dire consequences,
particularly for international peace and security.
Mr. President,
The current preoccupation with terrorism has fortunately not paralyzed the
United Nations. What it has done is to emphasize the need for an effective and
cohesive United Nations, capable of responding flexibly to unexpected and
contradictory events in a timely and effective manner with little or no
disruption of its programmes in other areas. We believe that the United Nations
Charter constitutes a viable and firm foundation for the organization to balance
and achieve its objectives, to maintain international peace and security and
promote economic and social progress. The Bahamas fully supports the United
Nations in all its endeavors.
I thank you, Mr. President
*****
STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE
JOHN BRICENO, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER,
MINISTER
OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, BELIZE, TO THE
GENERAL DEBATE
OF THE FIFTY SIXTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
NEW YORK,12TH NOVEMBER 2001
Mr. President Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen:
That we have forged forward with the 56th Session of the General Assembly and
that political leaders have assembled for the General Debate marks an
extraordinary accomplishment and one that brings great credibility to the United
Nations. To all who reside in this great city I applaud and thank you for
continuing your work.
Today, more than ever, our efforts and energies should focus on implementing
the purposes and principles of our Charter and inspire hope and confidence in
all humanity. Your Excellency, Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo, on behalf of my
delegation I extend congratulations to you on your election as president of this
56th Assembly. The manner in which you have guided our work thus far is
outstanding and worthy of our recognition. We wish you continued success as you
preside over this Assembly. To the Secretary General and to the United Nations
Organization we extend congratulations on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Before proceeding, please allow me on behalf of the Belizean people to extend to
the President and people of United States of America, especially to the people
of New York City our heart felt condolences on the tremendous loss suffered on
September 11.
For most of us, the immediate reaction to this tragedy was one of shock and
disbelief. As we joined in mourning the loss of innocent lives, including some
of our own nationals, the international community moved swiftly to adopt a
number of resolutions here at the United Nations. Through these actions we
forcefully condemned acts of terrorism and reached out to the United States of
America in solidarity, firm in our support to uphold the principles of justice
and the maintenance of peace.
Today despots feast in the raging rivers of desperation, seeking refuge among
the weak, prying upon the vulnerabilities of the less fortunate. Those who are
caught in the sweeping currents of poverty, forced to five in a world were a
dollar is a luxury, find little hope for a better future and are often abused by
those who manipulate for selfish and destructive reasons. For us securing a
better future for the millions who five in poverty continues to be our most
noble of challenges.
To meet this challenge, the United Nations must remain true to its task as
set forth in the Charter and reaffirmed just over a year ago when our Heads of
State and Government gathered here and adopted the Millennium Declaration. This
Declaration outlines various issues crucial to the realization of a world with
for less poverty, death and despair, exhorting the values of freedom, equality,
justice and tolerance. We must not allow the events of September 11 to cause us
to lose focus on this righteous undertaking--we must stay the course.
For Belize the path to fulfilling the goals of the Millennium Declaration
begins with addressing the issues of development and poverty eradication. We
confirm our support for the Declaration on the Right to Development, which was
adopted in Resolution 41/128 in 1986. As a small state working to provide
greater opportunities for its people, especially those who live in poverty,
meaningful sustainable development is critical and can only be achieved through
partnership with the International Community. Regional and global cooperation
are fundamental components for progress and can only be achieved through a
universal acceptance of our shared responsibility to create opportunities for
growth and development. Please allow me to say a few words in Spanish.
Senor Presidente
La globalizacion demuestra, en una gran, magnitud nuestra interdependencia,
como tambien la importancia de cooperar con el resto del mundo basado en los
principios de respeto mutuo. Un desarollo verdadero y sustentable requiere de
practicas de comercio inclusivas y transparentes, y asi proveer las
oportunidades que faciliten la participacion de paises en desarollo en la
economia global. La ubicacion geografica de Belice nos permite participar tanto
en la Comunidad Caribena, como tambien en el Sistema de Integracion
Centroamericana, ofreciendo la oportunidad de proveer diversas perspectives en
la lucha contra la pobreza. A la mismo vez aumenta nuestras opciones para una
mayor participacion con todos las entidades interesadas en desarrollar
mecanismos inovativos para integrar en una manera eficaz a nuestras economias
dentro del sistema economieo global. En ese sentido, consideramos que la.
cooperacion es primordial - una cooperacion equitativa y participativa, donde
nuestras inquietudes y vulnerabilidades obtendran la atencion que se merece.
Mr. President
The Twenty-sixth Special Session on HIV/AIDS held last June brought together
the International Community to collectively affirm the urgent need for critical
action to combat this pandemic on the part of all stakeholders. For us in the
Caribbean, the Conference was of special importance. Ranked the second highest
in rate of HIV/AIDS infection after Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean states are
working with its international partners to combat the spread of this deadly
disease. Any progress made during the HIV/AIDS Conference must be attributed to
the collaborative spirit displayed by all those involved, both at the political
and technical levels. The inclusion of civil society as well as the private
sector contributed to the effectiveness of the conference and remains crucial to
the success of any programme to eradicate HIV/AIDS. We welcome the decision by
the Secretary General to reach out to the entire world community to assist in
the establishment of the Global HIV/AIDS and health Fund to help alleviate the
suffering of the millions of people afflicted by the scourge.
Mr. President
The protection and preservation of our environment is a major concern to the
developing world, as so many of us depend on our natural resources for our
survival.
The commitments made by the international community for the protection of the
environment have not been implemented and if not addressed urgently, the
consequences will impact negatively on our small dependent economies as well as
the global community. We attach great importance to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change and welcome the successful results from the
recently concluded meeting in Marrakech hoping to see more states ratify the
Kyoto Protocol.
In the Central America and the Caribbean we perpetually suffer from the
effects of natural disasters with the number and intensity of hurricanes
increasing over the last decade. This has been attributed to the effects of
climate change caused global warming. For two consecutive years, Belize has been
struck by category four hurricanes magnifying the need to protect our
environment and minimize our vulnerabilities. It is imperative that we gear our
efforts towards creating the necessary mechanisms to reverse and curtail
negative actions that contribute to the deterioration of the state of our
environment. For this reason, Belize along with its partners in Caribbean Region
continue to seek the support of the United Nations for a Special Regime for the
Caribbean Sea.
Mr. President
If we are to speak of a shared responsibility for development and the
maintenance of peace and security, this year especially, we must ensure that
everyone be allowed to participate in this global forum. In this light, we
continue to appeal to this organization to consider the right of the 23 million
people on the Republic of China on Taiwan and allow their voices to be heard in
this world institution. Equally we must continue to advocate for the Right of
the Palestinian People to self-determination, including the right to their
independent State.
With respect to our commitment to the development of peace and security,
Belize is pleased to report the continuation of dialogue with our neighbor the
Republic of Guatemala We continue to support all efforts to peacefully resolve
our differences.
Mr. President
This year has been designated as the "United Nations Year of Dialogue
Among Civilizations." The recently concluded debate on this Agenda Item
produced meaningful discussion on the advantages of diversity and its benefits
to human progress. Enhanced by globalization, our actions impact others
immediately, creating new realities and require more openness and greater
sensitivity to the differences among us. In our country where seven different
languages or dialects are spoken and diverse ethnic populations live together
peacefully, my delegation welcomes the prospect of increased dialogue among
civilizations, one inclusive of all peoples, that will improve upon the
understanding of who we are and where we came from. The Secretary General in his
report to the Organization on the United Nations Year of Dialogue among
Civilizations noted the importance of ensuring that the process of globalization
be comprehensive and fair. Let us grasp the opportunity given to us through this
process to work together as equal partners in this global community, seeking to
understand our common objectives while respecting our differences.
Mr. President
The Millennium Declaration recognizes the existing inequalities in our world;
likewise it offers a comprehensive formula for greater prosperity for all. It
directs us toward a collective responsibility through greater partnership among
countries of the world. At this time when we are faced with new global
realities, let us make this Declaration meaningful by accelerating our efforts
to achieve the just objectives of lasting peace and prosperity for all of our
peoples.
I thank you
*****
Statement
by
Honourable Pierre Charles,
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the
Commonwealth of Dominica to the general debate of the 56th Session of the
United Nations General Assembly, New York, November 13, 2001
Mr. President
I am pleased and honored to address this august assembly on behalf of the
Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I wish to extend my
congratulations to you and your country, the Republic of Korea, on your election
to the high office of President of the 56th session of the United Nations
General Assembly, confident that your proven diplomatic skills will serve you
well in guiding the affairs of the General Assembly with efficiency and purpose.
Your immediate predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Harri Holkeri, is most deserving
of our thanks and appreciation for the very able manner in which he presided
over the Millennium Summit and the 55th session of the General Assembly.
Permit me, further, to congratulate the Secretary General His Excellency Mr.
Kofi Annan on his election to a second term and for the award of the Nobel Peace
Prize to him and the United Nations.
Mr. President
This general debate is being conducted in unusual circumstances. The horrendous
terrorist acts of 11 September 2001 have altered the lives of many in ways
traumatic and fundamentally tragic. I must again extend deepest condolences and
pledge the full support and solidarity of the Government and people of the
Commonwealth of Dominica to the Government and people of the United States of
America and to all bereaved families.
The ripple effects of those acts have resonated in locations far removed from
New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, aggravating economic and social
conditions and seriously disrupting efforts aimed at meeting the many challenges
confronting the United Nations and the international community. In short, in one
way or another and to a lesser or greater degree we are all victims of those
acts of terrorism that were visited upon the United States of America two months
ago.
The Commonwealth of Dominica condemns, without reservation, what is undoubtedly
the worst terrorist act of our times. We are in strong accord with the
sentiments and mandates contained in Security Council Resolutions 1368 (2001)
and 1373 (2001), and General Assembly Resolution 56/1, all of which call upon
the international community to take unified and cooperative action "to
prevent and eradicate acts of terrorism". We understand the necessity for
the exercise of the right of self-defense in pursuit of those objectives and we
support the actions being taken "to bring justice to the perpetrators,
organizers and sponsors" of the terrorist acts of 11 September 2001.
Cognizant of the importance of international cooperation in the fight against
terrorism, Dominica has proceeded to establish a task force to put in place the
necessary legislative and executive measures for the implementation of Security
Council resolution 1373. But to be effective beyond the immediate crisis,
counter-terrorism measures, mechanisms, and strategies must be sustained through
a comprehensive approach that seeks to create and strengthen, through the United
Nations, a legal framework against international terrorism, complemented by
strenuous efforts aimed at improving the social and economic conditions which
adversely affect the poor and dispossessed.
Mr. President
Beyond the immediate peace and security issues affected by the events of 11
September there was considerable impact on the global economy which has been
thrown into accelerated decline, with consequences that are particularly
disturbing for small developing countries like the Commonwealth of Dominica. In
the Caribbean, there has been strong evidence of damage to vital sectors of our
economy such as tourism, financial services and agriculture. Actual and
projected loss of jobs in the region are in the thousands and for those
countries that were already experiencing fiscal pressures the prospect of higher
unemployment and decreased revenues are daunting.
Complicating the problem is the great concern that in the fight against
terrorism and in the drive to enforce counter-terrorism measures certain areas
in which developing countries in the Caribbean region have a competitive
advantage such as the financial services sector may be subjected to inordinate
pressure and unfairly targeted and linked to illegal activities such as money
laundering. We are convinced that well regulated competitive tax jurisdictions
should be treated separately and distinctly from illegal activities such as
money laundering. The Commonwealth of Dominica remains firmly committed to the
struggle against international terrorism to the same extent that we strive to
ensure that our financial services sector, a major pillar of our economic
diversification thrust, does not provide support to the perpetrators of criminal
activity in the financing of terrorism.
Mr. President
The current effort against international terrorism is important and our focus on
that activity is warranted. There are, however, other dimensions of the global
agenda which should command the attention of the international community and the
United Nations. They cannot be relegated to the back burner of our concerns.
They comprise a wide range of economic, social, political, and humanitarian
problems faced on a daily basis and for the most part by the poor and
disadvantaged of the world. Indeed, some of them are likely to be exacerbated by
the fight against terrorism and their successful resolution will continue to be
the greatest challenge of the United Nations and the international community.
At the Millennium Summit last year there was general agreement on the issues
that needed urgent attention and the goals to be achieved. One year later those
goals appear to be as far from being realized as ever. Commitment appears to be
lacking on all fronts. The objective of a 50% reduction in the number of persons
living in poverty worldwide by the year 2015 suffers from the perennial tepid
effort at dealing with the root causes of poverty. Contributions from the
industrial countries are woefully inadequate and the required adjustment of the
strategies of the international financial institutions are slow in coming. The
outcome is a less than desirable creation and maintenance of the enabling
environment for more effective management of projects geared to poverty
reduction.
Mr. President
That lack of commitment is evident in other areas. A year after the Millennium
Summit and six months after the United Nations General Assembly special session
on HIV/AIDS, the international community seems to have lost interest in a crisis
that the Secretary General labeled the greatest public health challenge of our
times'. As front page news, HIV/AIDS had a short attention span after the
special session but the disease claimed millions of lives last year and created
millions of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa which continues to have the highest
rates of infection; the Caribbean region ranks a close second.
The Global AIDS and Health trust fund proposed by the Secretary General is
clearly not realizing its spending target of $7 to $10 billion. And achieving
the stated goal of bringing to a halt, and beginning to reverse the spread of
HIV/AIDS by 2015 as declared by world leaders at the Millennium Summit, is now
very much in doubt.
The majority of people infected with HIV/AIDS live in the developing world and
the high incidence of HIV/AIDS infection is considered a function of poverty.
The circularity of the problem has tremendous implications for economic
development, poverty reduction and the efforts at raising the living standards
in developing countries.
The accepted premise that international development cooperation plays a vital
role in the development of the mechanisms necessary for the enhancement of trade
competitiveness of developing countries, the strengthening of financial systems
and the development of human resources are clearly undermined by the declining
trend in official development assistance (ODA).
Once again we see the lack of commitment to the fulfillment of a stated goal. It
is generally accepted that were industrialized countries to meet their promised
official development assistance of 0.7% of GNP the developing world would be
much further along in solving many of the problems with which they are plagued.
As a substitute for the failed promise, developing countries have been told to
place greater reliance on foreign direct investment (FDI), most of which
bypasses the most needy and the smallest economies. The Commonwealth of Dominica
falls into that category of states for which official development assistance is
vitally critical to the development of their economies.
That is why the Commonwealth of Dominica and other states in the Caribbean
region attach such importance to the convening of the International Conference
on Financing for Development which will be held in Mexico from 18 to 22 March
2002. Given the changing global realities that are impacting adversely on the
economies of developing states, the conference will provide an opportunity for
us to assess the impact of declining ODA and for creating new mechanisms for
financing development.
Over the past several years and in many different foray particularly in the WTO,
we have been calling for the formal recognition of the special problems facing
small vulnerable economies. We fear that without such recognition it will be
impossible for most small states to be fully integrated into the multilateral
trading system of the globalize world. Our fears have been confirmed both by the
generally poor performance of small states under WTO arrangements and in a very
authoritative report by the World Bank and Commonwealth Secretariat on the issue
of smallness and vulnerability.
The unique characteristics of small vulnerable economies, which have been
articulated in numerous studies, give a clear indication of the challenges that
these economies face in improving their development prospects and in adjusting
to liberalization and globalization. Many of these economies are at the
crossroads. The reality is that trade preferences are eroding; official flows
are declining, while historical ties with former partners in development are
fading. It is therefore imperative that in order to prevent further
marginalisation of small economies, steps must be taken in the multilateral
trading system and elsewhere to address the concerns of those economies and to
ensure their growth and development.
Mr. President
The exclusion of the Republic of China on Taiwan from membership of the United
Nations makes little sense in today's world of globalization and interdependence
particularly in light of the fact that this sovereign state with a
democratically elected government is the world's 17 th largest economy, the 15th
largest in international trade, the 8th largest foreign investor, the 4 largest
in terms of foreign exchange reserves and the 3rd largest exporter of IT
products.
The Commonwealth of Dominica intends no interference in the internal affairs of
any member state, nor can such interpretation be validly applied to our action.
Our plea is a simple call for justice of twenty-three million people of the
Republic of China on Taiwan and an appeal for the recognition of their right to
be treated, in international affairs, no differently from citizens of any other
country.
Mr. President
11 September 2001 will undoubtedly be remembered for the horrifying nature of
the terrorist acts, the magnitude of the senseless destruction of lives and
property and the forced recognition of our common vulnerability. But the
heroism, the extraordinary fortitude and selflessness of ordinary men and women,
and the demonstrated triumph of the human spirit over the worst manifestations
of evil inspire us to hope that, with dedicated commitment, we can create for
all of mankind a world that is measurably better that that which we have today.
The time to begin is now.
Thank you, Mr. President
*****
STATEMENT BY H.E. THE HON. ELVIN NIMROD, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AND
COOPERATION, GRENADA, TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 56TH SESSION
OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 15 NOVEMBER 2001
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My delegation at the outset extends profound sympathy to the families of the
victims who lost their lives while in sudden flight to the Dominican Republic.
Mr. President,
The rescheduled general debate now convened, well into the work of the 56th
Session of the UNGA, only serves to reconfirm our awareness of your great
diplomatic and communicative skills. And for this, my delegation thanks
and congratulates you once again. Under your competent leadership we hope
this will be a fruitful and decisive Session of the Organization.
Mr. President,
This being my first opportunity, I would like on behalf of the Government and
people of Grenada to heartily congratulate the Secretary-General, His Excellency
Kofi Annan and the United Nations on the designation as recipient of the Nobel
Peace prize.
Mr. President,
Just as the 55th Session was the Millennium Assembly of joyful hope and
optimism, this 56th Session, by contrast, can be called the unpredictable
assembly of challenge and adversity, from which the international community,
nevertheless, can derive strength and unity in the pursuit of a common enemy who
will eventually be found and brought to justice.
The challenge and uncertainty have come about because terrorism has descended
upon the civilized world. The catastrophic and traumatic events of September
11th have changed not only the lives of individuals for whom we grieve so
painfully, but it has also changed the modus vivendi and the modus operandi of
our present day civilization in many respects. If this cloud of hatred and
revenge is allowed to settle, history will long remember the triumph of evil due
to inaction.
Thus, Mr. President, the broad international coalition brought together by
the United States of America and supported by Security Council resolution 1373
and General Assembly resolution A/56/L1 stands as a bulwark ready to break the
immoral and physical backbone of terrorism.
Mr. President,
Grenada fully supports and endorses Security Council Resolution 1373 which
sets out important measures that countries large and small, rich and poor, must
all take together to prevent and combat terrorists in our jurisdictions or
wherever they may be found.
The newly formed Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC), under
the chairmanship of the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, is a
welcome and laudable effort in the struggle that deserves the backing and
support of all member states, morally, strategically and financially. In
addition, it is soliciting assistance from persons with particular skills in the
performance of special functions.
The Government of Grenada has already begun to take steps within its
jurisdiction to implement measures within our capacity that prevent and suppress
the financing of terrorists acts.
Our priority is aimed at seeking to prevent those who finance, plan,
facilitate or commit terrorist acts from using Grenada for those purposes
against other States or their citizens, as well as finding ways to intensify and
accelerate the exchange and the sharing of information. Grenada is
examining its administrative and other processes with a view to improving
efficiency in this regard.
We are active in the global fight against terrorism. Grenada is
cooperating with the United States authorities to ensure that there are no
terrorists’ funds in any of our offshore institutions.
Further, Grenada has thoroughly examined its economic Citizenship
Program. This was to ensure that no known terrorists had inadvertently
been granted Citizenship. We are now confident that no such person is an
Economic Citizen of Grenada.
In light of the changed global environment and our commitment to assist in
the fight against terrorism, in any way we can, the Government of Grenada has
taken a decision to suspend indefinitely, the Economic Citizenship Program.
Added to this, Grenada continues to intensify its participation in regional
and international cooperation efforts, as we seek to ensure that there are no
gaps in the global framework for the fight against this heinous crime.
Grenada will reinforce and extend its international cooperation arrangements in
the field of justice, policing and law enforcement.
Mr. President,
The Government of Grenada fully supports the development of a comprehensive
and effective legal framework to combat terrorism.
My Country has begun a review of international conventions already in place,
with a view to signing, ratifying and fully implementing them. Those not
yet in effect will be implemented. Some of these conventions are within
the UN system while others are of a Regional or Hemispheric nature.
Priority is being given to the existing twelve (12) UN and international
conventions against terrorism, in particular, the UN convention on terrorist
financing.
Mr. President,
It is necessary for the international community to send a clear signal to the
terrorists that their philosophy is fundamentally wrong and totally
unacceptable. We must stand united in our efforts to combat and
exterminate activities aimed at killing innocent people and destroying
communities.
The Government of Grenada joins the Caribbean Community in pledging our full
support in the efforts to confront terrorism and restore the rights and freedoms
of people the world over.
Mr. President,
My delegation would like to focus for a few moments on the impact that this
dastardly act has had nationally, regionally and internationally.
In my Country, as elsewhere in the Caribbean, the effect of the global
economic turbulence has hit the tourism and aviation sectors hardest.
Tourism, the hotel industry and aviation play a synergistic role so crucial to
the economies of most small states, in terms of foreign exchange and employment.
The sub-region had already begun to feel the effects of the international
economic downturn, which caused deterioration of our fortunes. But it is
clear that since the terrorist attacks on the United States of America, Grenada
and the other OECS States are suffering from further reduction in economic
activities. We are now severely challenged.
We are experiencing shortfalls in revenue collections. Our tourism
sector is experiencing a drastic reduction in visitor arrivals. Indeed,
the International Monetary Fund predicts arrivals in the Caribbean Region could
fall short by as much as 50 percent. Our air and marine transport are also
experiencing severe reductions. Regional air carriers have registered as
much as 45% fall in passenger load since September 11th.
Mr. President,
The picture looks bleak, but we are determined that our response must prevent
the devastation envisioned by the perpetrators of terror.
Soon after September 11th, the Prime Minister of Grenada and Chairman of the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell,
convened a meeting of the (OECS) to discuss the impact on tourism and related
activities – hotels, banks, agriculture, manufacturing, and
transportation.
The sub-regional meeting of the OECS took a number of decisions that would
respond to our economic challenges. One such measure is the formation of
the Grenada National Economic Council (NEC). This will give effect to the
revival of sustainable tourism. It will address fiscal and economic
performance, and it will give impetus to productivity.
Additionally, only recently in the Bahamas, the CARICOM Heads of Government
met and approved a US$18m Joint Public/Private Sector Emergency Tourism
Promotion Programme demonstrating self-help at its best in the Region.
Mr. President,
The events of September 11th, with the ensuing economic and geopolitical
instability, have propelled us to reorder our priorities. We need to focus
on restoring confidence in the international economic and multilateral
cooperation.
As we all know, the member states of the World Trade Organization (WTO) do
not participate on a level playing field. The developing world is still
struggling to bridge the economic and social divide in our global community.
Some were not in favor of the second round of negotiations. Yet, most States
were willing to put their differences aside and endeavor to march toward the
next stage of economic and multilateral cooperation.
This is clearly what we aspire to in this august body.
Mr. President,
While terrorism, and rightly so, has dominated the general debate, mention
must be made of the unfinished agenda of the last decade of the 20th century
with respect to social and economic development, central to which is the human
person.
Mr. President,
The many UN summit-level conferences that have been held in the past ten
years, all stressed sustainable development and the centrality of the human
person in the process:
-The UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio
in 1992;
-The Human Rights Conference in Vienna in 1993;
- The Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in
1994;
- The Social Development Summit in Copenhagen in 1995;
- Habitat II on Urbanization in Istanbul in June 1996;
- The Food Security Summit in Rome 1996;
- The Millennium Summit Declaration in 2000;
- The Special Session on HIV/AIDS in 2001.
The question is how much of the outcome of these conferences has been
implemented with respect to poverty alleviation, the empowerment of women,
health, education, children and the elderly, trade liberalization, economic
cooperation, information technology transfer.
Mr. President,
Could it be that these conferences and special sessions promised more than
they could deliver? Promising too much is as bad as doing too little, is
still the best conventional wisdom.
Mr. President,
The fight against poverty underpins all of the above. To feed the
hungry is both a divine and social imperative. Thus, the international
community is particularly concerned that the outcome of the International
Conference on Financing for Development to be held next year in Monterrey,
Mexico and the World Summit for Sustainable Development (Rio + 10) in
Johannesburg, South Africa, both so important for small states, will yield
positive results. The Barbados Plan of Action still a major and
unfulfilled component of Rio + 10 relating to Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) should be high on the implementation agenda this time.
Mr. President,
For more than forty years now, an embargo exists against a small country in
the Caribbean. What this has done is ostracize the Cuban people and caused
them undue hardships. What it has achieved is to make the Cuban people
innovative. The old wounds have healed, the pain dulled and the cause
diminished.
I wish to register Grenada’s support for the removal of the United States
of America Economic Embargo on Cuba. You will recall, Mr. President, that
last year one hundred and seventy six (176) Member States voted in favor of the
removal of this embargo. Only three (3) voted against and four (4)
abstained. This shows the overwhelming response of the International Community
against this sanction.
Trade, as we know, is important for the development of any people and with
the establishment of the embargo there is no freedom of trade between Cuba and
the United States.
In the wake of the devastation caused to that country by Hurricane Michelle,
it is now critical, for steps to be taken to remove the embargo and give the
Cuban people a chance to recover from this unstoppable force of nature. The
easing of the economic embargo against Cuba can assist in the overall
development of that country, a small nation, seeking against all odds, to
maintain a modern, dynamic society in the Caribbean and Latin America. The
lifting of the embargo will augur well for friendly co-operative relations among
all the countries of this Hemisphere.
Mr. President,
Now, I turn to the issue of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Grenada believes that a country that exhibits fortitude and has moved its
economy from poor and underdeveloped, to affluent and prosperous deserves
recognition. A country that consistently shows international responsibility
deserves to be admitted to this community of nations.
The time has come to reconsider the exclusion of the Republic of China on
Taiwan from membership of the United Nations. The Republic of China is
home to twenty three (23) million people. It is a free and democratic
country, and a peace-loving member of the international community. In
economic terms, Mr. President, the Republic of China on Taiwan is the 17th
largest economy in the world, the 8th largest investor and the 4th largest
exporter of information technology products, and the 3rd largest holder of
foreign reserves. It is preposterous to continue to keep such a country
outside the World Body.
The Government of Grenada is appealing to correct this wrong. We,
therefore, are requesting that the United Nations will recognize the natural
rights of the people of Taiwan to become active participants in this
organization. We believe that the Government and people of Taiwan are
seeking to participate in the United Nations to constructively contribute to the
international community. Grenada implores that they are given that right.
However, Grenada notes with satisfaction, the admission of the People’s
Republic of China, the Republic of China on Taiwan and Vanuatu into World Trade
Organization (WTO). It is the hope of my delegation that the past, present
and future performance of Taiwan as a major democratic and international
economic player, though not now a member of the United Nations, will in the
not-too-distant future, regain its rightful place in the family of nations.
Mr. President,
The United Nations membership must make Article 3 of the Charter a major
priority in the next few years. Our founding fathers called for this body:
“to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an
economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and
encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all
without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion…”
We must do all in our power to provide added economic opportunities for the
developing world. For we believe that trade is one avenue to achieve
this. I therefore call on the Economic and Social Council to actively
pursue undertakings that could create an encouraging atmosphere for Member
States to have the opportunity to raise the standard of living of its people.
In this current global environment, we must be conscious that inclusion in
the process of the global economy is vital.
Mr. President,
Finally, I must recall Article 1 of the United Nations Charter which calls
for the Organization: “to maintain international peace and security; and to
that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal
of threats to peace....” We must be relentless in our pursuit of the purposes
of this organization. Our challenge is to work towards the elimination of
terrorist activities.
Our quest must be for economic opportunities for all states. And our goal
should be for the peaceful coexistence of all peoples of the international
community.
Thank you Mr. President.
*****
ADDRESS BY THE HON. S. R. INSANALLY, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE
REPUBLIC OF GUYANA TO THE GENERAL DEBATE AT THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 15 NOVEMBER 2001
Mr. President, Excellencies, Mr. Secretary General, distinguished
delegates
Although the embers from the towering infernos which occurred on September 11
last have not fully died, it may nevertheless be possible to analyse the impact
which that horrific disaster has had on international relations and, more
particularly, the political, economic, and social consequences which it is
likely to have for the world.
Such an analysis, it is to be hoped, will instruct us on how we may best
respond to these new challenges and pursue the goals of global peace and
development in this new twenty-first century.
Mr. President, It is fortuitous that this examination will be conducted under
your Presidency since, coming as you do from the land of the morning calm, you
will no doubt bring to bear on our debate not only a fresh and dispassionate
view, but also a ray of hope after the long dark night through which we have
passed. My delegation offers you our warmest congratulations and good wishes as
you continue to guide the work of this historic General Assembly which, though
inaugurated in the depths of despair, may yet hold out the promise of redemption
for mankind.
I would be remiss were I not also to extend our gratitude to your
distinguished predecessor, Mr. Harri Holkeri, who presided with great verve and
vigour over the Assembly through very critical and interesting times. He has
contributed much to the revitalization of the General Assembly.
To the distinguished Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, I convey our
greetings and commendation for his steady leadership of our organization. The
recent award of the Nobel Peace Prize to him and to the United Nations is a
source of great satisfaction and pride for Guyana and, indeed, for the entire
membership.
Mr. President, as was so aptly stated by the Economist of the week September
15 - 21, the terrorist attack on the United States altered the geopolitical
landscape as indelibly as it did the Manhattan skyline. The world is a changed
place since that horrendous event, changed in that we suddenly find, under
threat, by unorthodox and hitherto unimaginable means, the values by which our
organization is driven - values, the attainment of which have been the object of
our onerous and protracted labours for a period extending over many decades. We
cannot help but feel a sense of sorrow and shame that such a barbaric act - as
the destruction of the World Trade Center and a part of the Pentagon most
certainly was - could have occurred in this day and age only a short distance
from this house of our common humanity.
Like most leaders of the civilized world, the President of Guyana, His
Excellency Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, was swift to condemn this egregious crime. His
condemnation of the perpetrators was clear and unequivocal. As a small and
vulnerable state, with limited ability to defend itself in the event of
encroachment on its territorial integrity, Guyana cannot accept the threat or
the use of violence to resolve conflicts and disputes, whether inter-state or
intea-state. All differences - no matter how complex or justified must be
settled, as called for in the Charter of the United Nations, by peaceful means
such as those specified in Article 33.
The violence which was visited two months ago upon some five thousand human
beings - including many of our own nationals - in this our host city and,
indeed, before that, upon so many other peoples and places in the world, must
not only be roundly condemned but also condignly punished. The international
community must now develop an arsenal of appropriate legal instruments,
including a comprehensive Convention against Terrorism, to combat this new enemy
of our times. The message must clearly be sent to all who would use terrorism to
pursue their objectives - no matter how laudable these may be - that their
actions will not be tolerated by the members of this organization and instead,
will be dealt with firmly with the full force of the law.
At home and in our various regions we must build defences that are strong
enough to keep out terrorism and its concomitants, such as arms and drug
trafficking, and other forms of transnational crime. Within the Caribbean
Community, of which Guyana is a member, we have agreed to set up mechanisms for
information sharing and coordinated action to deny these criminal elements
access to our territories. A Regional Task Force has been established to
identify measures necessary to creating a cordon sanitaire to help insulate us
from their onslaught. This is not an easy mandate since, as the immigration
doors in the developed countries become more tightly closed, hundreds of
hardened criminals are being deported to our countries which, because of severe
financial and human constraints, are ill-equipped to handle the influx. One can
only pray that our populations will not come to serious harm.
Mr. President, although perhaps not as immediate or striking as these
political and security consequences, the economic and social impact of the
September 11 disaster, has been no less powerful and pervasive. All countries
have undoubtedly been affected by the fall out, but small and vulnerable states,
such as my own, will find it especially difficult to cope with the resulting
hardship. Our countries, with far fewer alternatives available to them than to
the more developed because of an unfavourable international economic system,
high levels of external debt and unequal terms of trade will suffer
disproportionately. As always, the exporters of primary products now, as in the
past, are the first to suffer a downturn in the world economy and the last to
recover - a process that occurs with a frequency that is altogether depressing.
These imbalances and asymmetries which seriously affect the progress of
development in developing countries are now likely to become even more
pronounced in the rapid process of globalization. Still, as is often said
"it's an ill wind that does not blow some good". We would, therefore,
wish to believe that, out of the calamity which has recently befallen us, will
come an improvement in our lot. We should not be foolish, however, to think that
this will happen automatically. Salvation will depend on our willingness to
learn from our experience and to do better in the future. From the ashes of
World War II arose the phoenix of the United Nations, giving hope to new
generations that they could live in peace, prosperity and larger freedom. Sadly,
the end of the Cold War did not generate a similarly bold enterprise, leaving
humanity to wander aimlessly in search of a peaceful existence. We must, before
it is too late, honour our commitment to the United Nations Charter and create a
new vision and strategy with which we may face the challenges of this new era.
In keeping with the spirit and substance of our historic compromise, we must
act responsibly to remove from our midst all threats to global peace and
security. Foremost among these, is the situation in the Middle East at the core
of which is the Palestinian problem stemming from the persistent denial to an
entire people of the enjoyment of their basic and inalienable rights. The peace
process must be immediately re-engaged with seriousness of purpose and
determination to put an end, once and for all, to the senseless violence and
bloodshed which has been the unhappy fate of the Palestinian people. They, as
well as other peoples of the region, must be allowed to live in a state of their
own, free from fear or want, within safe and secure borders. However, it is not
only the Middle East which suffers from the ravages of conflict. In far too many
places - in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and in Europe, the
risk of violence is ever present, fuelled by a variety of factors and made more
dangerous by the possibility of spreading through large swaths of territory,
sometimes transcending national frontiers. To avert these threats, we must fully
utilize the machinery provided in the Charter for the peaceful settlement of
disputes.
Not only must we insist upon the cardinal principles upon which peace relies
- such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states -
we must also employ the practical measures which the Charter sets out for the
maintenance of international peace and security. It is unfortunate that the
Security Council, which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of
international peace and security, is too often perceived as undemocratic and
opaque, giving rise to doubts about the legitimacy and effectiveness of its
activities. Only a significant reform of the Council, including a restriction on
the use of the veto, will generate the public confidence which that body needs
to function satisfactorily. Similarly, the peace-making and peacekeeping
machinery of the United Nations needs to be overhauled so as to enable the
Organization to satisfy the growing demands placed upon it. Clearly, the world
wants peace and wants the United Nations to provide it. We must therefore strive
to ensure that the organization is adequately equipped to respond in a timely
and commensurate manner.
It is important in all of this, Mr. President, that the Agenda for Peace not
be allowed to diminish or displace the Agenda for Development since, were this
to happen, the prospects for any durable peace would be virtually non-existent.
Peace and development are inextricably intertwined, and any attempt to separate
them would not only be artificial but also dangerous. We would do well to bear
this in mind should recent events prompt a reordering of global priorities, and
lead to a diversion of attention from economic and social issues to purely
political and security concerns. Already, in the immediate aftermath of the
September 11 attack, the President of the World Bank was reported to have said
that the 2015 target for halving global poverty could not now be reached and
that, in fact, poverty would increase over the next year or two. This
deterioration is not easily contemplated by small economies like our own and
those of the Caribbean region.
At a meeting which was held to analyse the impact of the events of September
11 on their countries, CARICOM Heads of Government adopted the Nassau action
plan to enhance regional security and bolster their fragile economies to
withstand the shocks resulting from the recent terrorist attacks. In Guyana our
Government has just elaborated, after extensive consultations with our
population, a strategy aimed at the further reduction of poverty which is
undoubtedly the great bugbear to progress. However, neither of these attempts at
sustainable development will succeed without the support of the international
community, more particularly the developed and the multilateral financial
institutions.
It is therefore imperative that the United Nations pursues actively the
Agenda for Development to enable developing countries, especially the small and
weak, to ride out the current political and economic storms. The upcoming High
Level Conference on Financing for Development which will take place in
Monterrey, Mexico next March represents a unique opportunity to examine both the
internal and external constraints that significantly affect the mobilization of
financial resources for development, as well as to collectively address the
inefficiencies and inequities of existing financial markets. The high
concentration of these markets on existing financial assets aimed at short-term
profit, rather than on new assets linked to the creation of wealth and
employment for longer-term development remains a source of great concern and
must be remedied.
Early action is also needed to implement the key multi-sectoral
recommendations emerging from the Special Session on HIV/AIDS held earlier this
year, in order to address the developmental challenge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
which has caused more than eighteen million deaths worldwide. In welcoming the
establishment of the Global HIV/AIDS and Health Fund, I would urge that the
operational aspects of the Fund be finalized without delay in as inclusive a
manner as possible.
Similarly, the World Summit on Information Society scheduled for 2003 should
serve, we hope, to focus attention on the further marginalisation of developing
countries and the widening of the digital divide in an increasingly
knowledge-based global economy.
Equally promising is the World Summit on Sustainable Development which will
be held next September in Johannesburg and will give the global community an
opportunity to evaluate the progress made since the UNCED in Rio 1992. While we
have succeeded in raising the level of awareness of both the concept of and need
for sustainable development, little else appears to have been achieved. Yet to
be fully addressed are the economic, social and environmental concerns that are
at the heart of sustainable development. Johannesburg will offer a critical
opportunity for doing this. We should therefore be careful not to engage in a
re-negotiation of the Rio principles but, rather, seek to promote the transfer
of technology and provide more concessionary sources of finance for the
implementation of national policies and programmes in support of sustainable
development.
Mr. President, we must now acknowledge that the prevailing international
system of development cooperation is deeply flawed and has failed to achieve its
primary objective of increasing growth and improving the quality of life in poor
countries. Inherent in the system are many debt and poverty traps that continue
to ensnare millions of the world's poorest people. Not only is the experience
painful, but it often deprives the poor of their basic human rights, there being
a nexus, now universally recognized, between the acutalisation of human rights
and economic development. It is out of this recognition that my delegation, last
November, brought before the General Assembly resolution number 55/48 on the
role of the United Nations in promoting a New Global Human Order.
As envisioned by the late President Cheddi Jagan of Guyana, the proposal for
a New Global Human Order acknowledges that the major constraints affecting
economic and social progress in developing countries reside in capacity
limitation in the critical areas of markets, administrative and institutional
structures in both the public and private sectors, the leveraging of resources
and the ability of developing countries to negotiate as equal partners in a
number of forums outside the United Nations. The proposal therefore seeks to
improve the effectiveness of development cooperation programmes, optimise scarce
financial resources and reduce the spread of poverty. It also addresses new ways
of managing development cooperation which could significantly overcome problems
of aid dependence, current imbalances and asymmetries in international trade,
and the high indebtedness that continues to affect developing countries.
These objectives, in the view of the Government of Guyana can be achieved
through a comprehensive dialogue among governments, based not only on political
and economic considerations, but also on ethical and moral principles, which are
necessary to the creation of a more humane and just order. This dialogue, which
began at the last session of the General Assembly will be renewed at the
fifty-seventh session when, we hope, the concept will be further embedded into
the international consciousness and ultimately accepted as the way forward to a
more enlightened system of international relations.
Mr. President, it is entirely appropriate that this dialogue should be held
within the United Nations since the multifaceted and transnational nature of
today's challenges requires a multilateral, rather than a unilateral approach.
There is no doubt that the United Nations is ideally suited to promote such
global partnership in an international environment that requires firm, focused
and inclusive governance. Given the universality of this Organization's
membership, the principles and values that it has long upheld, and the growing
interest of civil societies in its activities, the United Nations has a singular
opportunity to exercise a leadership role in international political, social and
economic policy-making.
At this time of great uncertainty and trepidation, we must recognize more
than ever, the continuing need for the United Nations Organization which,
despite its many accomplishments in its fifty-six years of existence, is yet to
yield the promise of its Charter. We must not allow complacency, self-interest
or unilateralism to compromise that global vision of the founding members.
I thank you
*****
STATEMENT BY THE RIGHT HON.
P.J. PATTERSON, QC, MP,
PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA,
TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 56TH SESSION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, New York, November 10, 2001
"A United Nations
Renaissance"
Mr. President,
I am delighted to join .in the chorus of warm congratulations expressed
before this Assembly to the Secretary-General of our Organization, 'His
Excellency Kofi Annan, and to the United Nations itself, on the joint award of
this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
We also join in this proud salute to those who have fallen in the line of
duty and recognize those who continue to serve in areas of danger and all for
the cause of peace.
It is a fitting tribute that this Prize dedicated to the cause of peace and
so richly earned by our Secretary-General in his own right and by the United
Nations Organization in its collectivity, has been conferred on them this year.
No one doubts that the accolades are deserving. They are most fitting at a
time when the entire world is in upheaval.
The catastrophic attacks cynically perpetrated on International Peace Day in.
the city that is host to the United Nations and elsewhere, have in their wanton
slaughter of innocents and awesome destructiveness, sent shockwaves around the
world. The messiahs of terror have, by the sheer magnitude and horror of their
unprecedented crime against humanity, unified nations and people in the
determination to remove the specter of terrorism in all its many forms wherever
it is manifested.
Mr. President,
Jamaica stands firmly with the international community on resolution 1.373
(2001) of the Security Council against terrorism. As a member of the Council, we
assert with particular emphasis and deliberation our unwavering commitment to
the cause of ending this pernicious evil.
To defeat the forces of tenor, our collective action must be firm, decisive,
and broad-based.
International laws must become a binding framework for the defeat of
terrorism.
Jamaica welcomes the ongoing efforts to elaborate the draft Comprehensive
Convention against Terrorism. We hope that the momentum will be seized, during
this General Assembly, to achieve measurable progress in this critical area. At
the same time, the international community needs to take action towards the
universality of the existing Conventions and other instruments against
terrorism.
Jamaica is accelerating domestic action to achieve those objectives and, in
this regard, I was pleased to sign, this morning, the International Convention
for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
Mr. President,
For the past two years, Jamaica has worked with other members of the Council
to make peace-keeping operations more efficient; to create strategies for
sustained peace-building; bring warring factions to the peace table and beyond
that, promote compliance with resulting accords; put in place mechanisms for
protecting those most affected by situations of conflict, especially the women
and children among them.
We are pleased with the work already undertaken in respect of the Brahimi
Report on Peacekeeping Operations.
Through a number of Tribunals, we have demonstrated that the United Nations
will act to end impunity. Despite sustained international efforts, several
flashpoints still remain.
Jamaica is deeply concerned by the continuing cycle of violence and reprisal
in the Middle East. Efforts to achieve a durable cease-fire have been thwarted
at every turn.
Numerous resolutions by the Security Council have been ignored. We recognize
the positive efforts of some Permanent Members to influence a return to the
peace process, but the Security Council should not be marginalized in these
initiatives.
Jamaica again urges the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to
spare no effort in complying with agreements already reached. We call on both
parties to remain engaged in the quest for a durable peace.
Mr. President,
We dare not neglect the millions of children worldwide who suffer from
hunger, disease and ignorance. In situations of conflict, children are the most
vulnerable victims.
We have all been horrified by their exploitation as child soldiers, by the
trafficking and sexual abuse that numerous children have suffered. We have to
remember that they constitute the generation of tomorrow, in whose hands will
rest the future for international peace and security.
Nor must we forget the importance of humanitarian assistance to the innocent
people in conflict areas of the world; to refugees and displaced persons, as
well as to those who are victims of natural and man-made disasters. For them,
the United Nations must become a beacon of hope for the peace and stability,
which will enable them to lead normal and productive, lives.
Mr. President,
Military strikes cannot by themselves eradicate terrorism. In our response,
we need to be mindful that the time has come for us to inaugurate a new era of
peace; not simply through preventing war, but by eliminating the causes that
gives rise strife and violence.
And so, I come to this podium today, to call for a United Nations
renaissance, for a rebirth of this Organization, which will not just permit it
to be the harbinger of peace, but empowers it to foster the climate that ushers
in a new age of global development and a dynamic partnership for human
prosperity.
We are in a time of fear, not just in this country or here in this city, but
worldwide. Fear for the lives of people; fear for the state of economies,
national and global; fear that our propensity for wanton destruction may impair
the capacity of the planet itself to sustain life. These fears are compounded by
other blights: of disease, of ignorance, of bigotry, of ethnicity, of religion
and of gender, the blights of cruel and autocratic governance and, most
pervasive of all, the blight of poverty.
The expansion of the global economy in the last tour decades has not
eliminated gross poverty or even reduced its prevalence.
A sophisticated, globalized, increasingly affluent world currently co-exists
globally and within countries, with a marginalized underclass.
The hungry, the homeless, the destitute are less impassioned about the
physical insecurities of terrorist repression or the damaging consequences of
military warfare.
The unemployed, those who are ill without healthcare; those who are cold
without heating; those who are old without social support; for these victims,
'security' is a meal, a roof, a job, medicines, warmth and relief from poverty
in general.
But these needs are as real and insistent - and represent for them the most
immediate denial of their rights as human beings.
During the last decade, the process of globalization, deregulation and
privatization has swept the world.
It is incontrovertible that it has not been a golden age for a large
proportion of the world's people. Not just for the 1.3 billion of the absolute
poor in developing countries whom the benefits of globalization seem to have
bypassed, but for many millions in industrial countries also.
We delude ourselves if we believe that all those engaged in street protests,
whether in Seattle, Washington, Prague, Quebec City or Rome, are simply
anarchists.
International institutions must not only be accountable: they must be subject
to democratic governance.
It is becoming more widely recognized that a new global institutional
architecture is needed to establish representative superintendence of the global
economy, directed towards enlargement of social and economic justice worldwide,
targeted to a sharp redirection of the numbers mired in gross poverty and
deprivation.
Some of the desired progress may be possible through existing institutions.
More radical reform may also be required.
Democratic superintendence of the global economy has to be a central feature
of the fresh global architecture we seek to fashion during this decade.
The new global architecture must incorporate appropriate arrangements for a
start to be made in raising global resources for global purposes - in ways that
do not generate alarm.
The persistence of gross poverty, the long list of environmental abuses, the
disturbing reduction in development aid and the vagaries of foreign private
investment make the case for global revenues compelling.
Mr. President,
The world faces crucial choices. We have to identify and follow a guiding
principle if humanity is to make an enlightened response to the challenge.
We can hardly return to the principles of a feudal world in which military
power and economic strength are concentrated in the hands of a few, while we
indulge in an illusion of order through the marginalization of the many. In our
interdependent, interconnected world, this is no longer a credible option.
Our only way forward lies here in the United Nations; from the vision that
propelled the generation of 1945 to pursue the path of collective responsibility
for peace and human progress through a regime of multilateral action, anchored
by the United Nations.
Mr. President,
It was coterie of governments, in a rare moment of collective wisdom and
creativity that settled the United Nations Charter. It was not without flaws in
its inception and some have remained to hobble its capacity to initiate the
renaissance we need.
It is within this context that the demand for the reform of the Security
Council becomes even more urgent, since its present design and functioning
weaken its capacity to fulfill its mandate.
We must remove existing constraints on the United Nation's capacity. Even as
we work to improve it, to reform it, we must proclaim the United Nations to be
the temple in which we can all worship. We, the People -- must be made a
reality to thus fulfill the commitment made in their name in the Charter of
1945.
Today, our greatest hope lies in people; in people of all races, of all
genders, of all faiths; people of all continents and oceans, people of all ages,
the `ordinary' people of the world and those who hold themselves of higher
station_ All the world's people are affected by the calamities that loom; all
must be involved in turning humanity away from gloom and to finding the light.
The Charter does not set out the principal organs of the United Nations
in a hierarchical order, but the General Assembly is the only `principal organ'
under a Charter that embraces all the members on a 'one member, one vote' basis.
It is the symbol of the United Nations as a universal organization in the
democratic tradition.
I believe it is within this General Assembly that the true renaissance of the
United Nations must begin.
The special value of the General Assembly is its universality, its capacity
to be a forum in which the voice of every Member State can be raised. It
provides the opportunity for countries to ventilate issues, bring complaints to
the floor in the General Debate; and suggest new ideas in Committees. But the
assumption surely is valid that deliberation should inform action.
High among the changes that should mark the United Nations' renaissance is
the revitalization of the General Assembly as a universal forum of the world's
states. Even with a reformed and somewhat enlarged Security Council, many Member
States with a capacity to contribute significantly to the policies and programs
of the United Nations and to global governance will have to remain on the
sidelines. A General Assembly that occupies more of the stage and reorders its
work to snake it more focused, more result oriented, will allow each of us a
meaningful role in world governance through our work in the Assembly.
It is in the interest of the world community to have a mere vigorous and
effective General Assembly. It can and should play a vital legitimating role in
the United Nations, consonant with the universality of its membership.
Here in this General Assembly, we are the practitioners of international
affairs. At the heart of the conduct of those affairs lies a sense of realism.
I, too, am conscious that the accumulated baggage of decades cannot be shed in a
single heave.
That is why I do not speak for reform; but advocate instead a renaissance - a
rebirth which offers the chance of facing the 21st century with sound values, no
longer predicated on a world or adversarial states, but on an interactive world
of people that has espoused neighborhood values: of respect for life and
liberty, for justice and equity, for tolerance and caring; values that balance
rights with responsibilities - that elevates the democratic ethic at both the
national and global levels.
Mr. President,
We are a long way from that consummation, however devoutly we may wish it.
But we are sufficiently frightened by the prospects that confront us to
recognize the need for humanity to take the path 'less traveled by'.
There are enough good people in all our societies - who together are the
silent majority of the world's people - to ensure that by choosing this new
path, we can indeed make a real difference.
We have to fund a better way than the one a divided world has been
pursuing. That way has to lie through the United Nations as an Organization; but
a United Nations revitalized; its agencies repaired, reformed and responsive to
a culture of new values appropriate to our time.
Mr. President,
This new era of global relations demands bolder and more ingenious approaches
to confidence building and to development as a prerequisite for international
peace and security, An equitable framework to finance national and global
development, to fuel expansion of international trade and foster sustainable
development must be placed on the front burner, whether we gather in Qatar,
Mexico or South Africa.
If these three global Conferences are to succeed, Member States must be
guided by full recognition that this new era of global relations demands more
ingenious approaches to confidence building and to development as a prerequisite
for international peace and security.
In closing Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you
on your Chairmanship of this General Assembly and to commit Jamaica's total
support for the attainment of our common goals in the service of mankind.
Whatever may be our color, culture or creed, we belong to a single race - the
human race; occupying a single planet, which has more than enough to enable each
and every nation to enjoy the abundance which Mother Earth has to offer and for
all its people to dwell together in harmony.
Now more than at any time in its history, the United Nations is the best
vehicle to procure global peace and to foster international cooperation.
Let this General Assembly proclaim that the renaissance of the United Nations
has indeed begun.
*****
Statement By H. E. THE Hon. Timothy Harris, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Education,
St. Kitts and Nevis, TO
the GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 56th Session
of the
United Nations General Assembly, NEW YORK, November 14, 2001
Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you heartfelt
congratulations on behalf of my delegation and Government of St. Kitts and
Nevis, on your accession to the honorable post of President of the Fifty-sixth
Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
I would also like to congratulate your predecessor on a job well done,
especially during such an exhaustive period of the United Nations. The
success of the United Nations is built on the hard work of its members and both
of you have shown dedication to the positive functioning of this esteemed
institution.
n the last decade, world leaders have been working tirelessly in
different fora to redefine and address the myriad challenges that characterize
this so-called New Order. This has placed great premium on the United Nations,
which has been providing an able platform for exchanges of ideas, practical
dialogue and conflict resolutions. My delegation is satisfied that marked
progress has been made in identifying many of the critical issues. The United
Nations deserves high praise, and, we commend member states for their
willingness to use the diplomatic and political resources of the Organization in
the conduct of their international relations.
The involvement of the United Nations in recent times is a fitting
backdrop for the decision that the coming year be designated “the year of
Dialogue Among Civilizations.” This, Mr. President, is most timely and it
serves as a revalidation of our belief that dialogue is a critical ingredient in
promoting partnership and improved understanding among governments and peoples.
Dialogue is the foundation of solid democracies, strong people-centered
institutions, civil societies and sustainable human development. Dialogue is
still that very important catalyst which often staves off war and conflict,
enabling consensus and confidence building in an atmosphere of mutual respect
and trust. Thus, it is quite obvious why the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
supports this idea.
Mr. President, in a certain sense, a New World Order dawned on 11
September 2001, when terrorism, in a most outrageous form, reared its ugly head
in the cities of Washington and New York, in the United States of America, with
the loss of thousands of innocent lives. Dialogue among the international
community rapidly spawned an anti-terrorism coalition of countries, thereby
defining the protagonists in this unfolding New Order. My country stands
solidly with this coalition, especially in pursuing the generally agreed
strategies to contain terrorism. Despite the horrendous act of 11
September 2001, and the subsequent bio-terrorism, life goes on adjusted to a New
Reality.
Another case where dialogue may prove useful in advancing human security
will come when Governments meet at the World Conference on Financing for
Development in Monterrey, Mexico next year. St. Kitts and Nevis regards this as
an important occasion to promote the interests of all nations. But, we are
especially hopeful that this conference will embrace the aspirations, and
promote better appreciation for the needs, vulnerabilities and special
circumstances of small economies in Small Island Developing States.
My Prime Minister has repeatedly urged the International Community to take
a more unbiased look at the peculiar situation of small, vulnerable economies.
This is not an appeal for international charity, but a signal to promote the
kind of realism through which a Marshall Plan of commitment can be devised to
energize small, vulnerable economies so that they can effectively participate in
a Globalized Economy.
Dialogue is important in building real participatory democracies. But
democracy among nations is as crucial as democracy within nations. When the
people we serve feel that our actions as leaders do not reflect their dreams,
goals, and aspirations, they may use their democratic right to effect change.
We have a duty to give loud voices to their silent legitimate hopes. We
must place added value to the hopes and expectations of our people, in order to
legitimize the concepts of representative democracy. It is within this context
that I urge this body to redouble its efforts in finding a solution to the
unfortunate stalemate that beleaguers relations between the Chinese people
across the Taiwan Straits.
My Government remains convinced that both sides of the Taiwan
straits should become fully engaged in this peaceful and non-coercive process
without the distraction of preconditions. It would lead to the successful
resolution of what appears to be a very contentious issue. At the same time, we
encourage the United Nations to be vigilant and ready to assist where possible
or when required. Prior to the peaceful settlement of their dispute, it is
imperative that we establish a mechanism by which the International Community
can benefit more appropriately from the proven expertise, technical know-how and
skills of the 23 million people of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Mr. President, we call on the United Nations to assist in the resolution
of the question of full inclusion of Cuba into the affairs of the Western
Hemisphere. Also, we urge the people of Cuba, as we look towards the year
of dialogue, to embrace the challenge of ensuring that they can participate
fully in the Community of Nations.
Participatory democracy among nations must be erected on the twin pillars of
mutual respect and trust. But trust wanes in the face of unilateral
actions such as threats made by the OECD countries to blacklist and impose
sanctions on sovereign Caribbean Governments, consequent upon the OECD countries’
misunderstanding of fiscal initiatives taken by sovereign Caribbean Governments
as a way to underpin sustainable economic development.
Mr. President, as we look forward to the coming year of “Dialogue among
Nations” we urge member states to resist the lure of national paternalism and
unilateral action as a means of problem solving. In a matter so crucial to the
economic future of Caribbean countries, it is inconceivable that conclusions
could have been reached and decisions arrived at without the courtesies of
dialogue with the very countries against whom such scathing indictments had been
made. However, most recently, wiser counsel has prevailed and, in a spirit
of dialogue and partnership, significant progress has been made via a compromise
agreement. The Caribbean Community hails this agreement on offshore fiscal
initiatives as a step in the right direction. Such is the power of
dialogue among civilizations.
Further Mr. President, we imagine that the mechanisms of globalization,
if timely and equitably applied, can be productive, inclusive, and can improve
lives. It must be emphasized that although small states may justifiably harbor
some apprehension about Globalization, we do not oppose it.
On the contrary, we welcome the opportunities to empower our citizens so
that they may compete successfully in a global market place; mindful that
empowerment and the ability to compete successfully, however, require
appropriate skill-sets, academic resources and material tools. In order for
small states to benefit fully from the New Economic Order, the global agenda
must become a humane agenda sufficiently responsive to facilitate equitable and
affordable access to modern technology, that is to say, technology that is
appropriate and responsive to the basic needs of poor communities and small
states.
Without realism and a holistic approach in examining the social and
economic conditions within small states, there is potential for serious
dislocations when these states attempt to operate within the global marketplace.
As responsible member states, we have a genuine obligation to work to improve
the lives of the disenfranchised. Mr. President, this, I am sure, is the main
reason we are here today. Therefore, we must continue to right this important
chapter in the development of human security. We must also remain cognizant that
as members of the global village, we have to discard old suspicions and embrace
partnership, dialogue and diversity as necessary components of our
interdependence.
Partnership and understanding will prove essential in our efforts to
tackle common problems such as drug trafficking and the pandemic of HIV/AIDS.
The Special Session on HIV/AIDS came at an important juncture and we urge member
states to support the decisions that were made. In small states, like St. Kitts
and Nevis, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS presents one of the most devastating
challenges to the development of human security because such a disease threatens
to unravel the delicately woven balance of social growth and economic potential.
Our people are at great risk and the prospect of losing decades of
development and talented people to this illness is amazingly real. Aside from
losing our young and most productive people, Governments, in turn, are expected
to reallocate significant amounts of already meager resources from critical
development programs to provide costly care and treatment. We salute the United
States Government, the World Bank, and others for their recent and important
initiative to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Caribbean and we urge
others to adopt similar initiatives.
Mr. President, we see what an important role dialogue is playing in the
hemispheric approach at the Organizations of American States through the
Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism. This allows member governments to collaborate
in the fight against drug trafficking, in supply and demand reduction and in
difficulties in implementing national or shared strategies. We believe this
approach is useful because it raises the currency on common approaches, weakens
unilateral actions and allows member states to share experiences on
interdiction, epidemiology of drug abuse and other trends. The fight against
drug trafficking is a transnational one. We cannot point fingers or apportion
blame. We need to take action.
St. Kitts and Nevis welcomes the approach of the OAS, which permits us in
the Caribbean not only to come to terms with the reality that our islands have
become conduits for this profitable but destructive trade, but also to work in a
multilateral framework to find common solutions. Equally, such a mechanism
focuses attention on the root problems and encourages hemispheric partnership.
We hope that these kinds of approaches will become integral components of
problem solving at the United Nations.
Mr. President, the past year (the 55th Regular Session) was particularly
eventful for the United Nations. We began with the Millennium Summit and
concluded with the HIV/AIDS Special Session. In between we interacted on many
contentious issues. It is my hope that during the new year we can move forward
with renewed vigor, building on the hard work that our predecessors left in our
charge, and paving the way for a brighter future for those to whom we will pass
the baton. Once again, we salute you, on behalf of the people of St. Kitts and
Nevis.
Thank you.
*****
ADDRESS BY H. E. MR. EARL S. HUNTLEY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF
SAINT LUCIA, TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH
SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15, 2001
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr. President, let me first offer the congratulations of the delegation of
St. Lucia on your assumption of office and let me assure you of our full support
for the successful outcome of these deliberations.
Mr. President, as we meet with the global fraternity of nations for this 56th
Session of the General Assembly, Saint Lucia once more joins its voice with
those who have deplored and condemned the despicable acts of terror of September
11, 2001, that so brutalized our great host city New York and our host country,
as they cruelly and callously extinguished thousands of innocent, vibrant lives.
We are however heartened by the universal resolve of all peace-loving nations to
rid the earth of the scourge of terrorism. We have noted too how quickly and
steadfastly some of these nations have come together in a coalition in pursuit
of that endeavor and have embarked on a war against terrorism.
Mr. President, we should however recognize that the defeat of that type of
terrorism - as laudable and desirable an act as it is, will not by itself,
create a greater humanity or a better world. For there are billions in the world
today, who have not been at war, but who have not known peace, as they suffer
from other terrors; there are millions, so many of whom are children, who are
succumbing daily to the horror of malnutrition and starvation. There are still
other millions who are withering away from diseases. There are the thousands
whose human rights are violated on a daily basis. We therefore need to remind
ourselves that there are many other issues which have been engendering their own
brand of fear and conflict in the world today; and that more often than not the
underlying cause of such conflict is the lack of economic and human development.
Mr. President, if we are to attain a greater humanity, if we are to create a
better world, we must commit ourselves to a greater collective responsibility
towards all those other issues. We must adopt the same rapid global militaristic
response to solving them as we have done in the new war on terrorism. Some of
these issues have been with us for too long and by now should have disappeared
from the world agenda. Our fragile humanity cannot endure another century of
widening disparities between and within nations. We can no longer withstand the
silent battle between the "have" and the "have not". Our
humanity cannot tolerate increased disease, deprivation, hunger, illiteracy,
poverty, economic strife and war.
For the ideal of a greater humanity not to continue to elude us we must now
found it on this new attitude, this new vision in which people everywhere,
nations everywhere, are galvanized into higher levels of cooperation in the
pursuit of these common concerns - in particular concerns such as the
guaranteeing of economic and social security, sustainable development, and the
governance of the multilateral trading system. In this new philosophy of
cooperation, the United Nations must play the central role.
It is from-this perspective Mr. President, that Saint Lucia reiterates its
call for the adoption of a holistic approach towards poverty eradication. Saint
Lucia is firm in its view that the United Nations is the only organization-
capable of pooling the requisite knowledge and financial resources for global
action against poverty. International cooperation on poverty eradication must
give, due consideration to, among other things, debt forgiveness, through
concerted support for an unproved HIPC initiative. It must ensure special and
differential treatment on a contractual basis for developing countries and
sustained financial support for the UN's development programs.
Mr. President, the plague of HIV/ AIDS which continues to ravage the world
also demands this new collective response. Saint Lucia acknowledges that the
United Nations has already begun spearheading the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
The UN Conference on HIV/AIDS has done a great deal to raise global awareness
about the magnitude of the pandemic: Saint Lucia also welcomes the establishment
of a Global AIDS Trust Fund which is intended to increase the ability of the
global community to combat this scourge. However if humanity is to win the fight
against this 20th Century plague, the international community must make
available, new and additional financial resources towards research and the
development of affordable drugs. We stress that these drugs must be cheap and
widely obtainable. It is time that corporations cease putting the acquisition of
more and more profit ahead of the health and lives of the unfortunate who have
been afflicted by diseases such as AIDS. Are we not being inhumane, when our
overriding objective is to make as huge a profit as possible on the sickness of
so many rather than ensuring that the essential drugs that they need to end
their suffering, are easily available?
Mr. President, as we survey the multilateral trading system, St. Lucia
continues to be concerned that the thrust towards allowing market forces to
totally determine the scope, structure and outcomes of economic activity, is not
being counterbalanced by mechanisms to fairly distribute welfare gains and to
protect the more vulnerable, small states like Saint Lucia, from the
consequences of market failure.
The perilous state of the banana industry in Saint Lucia and the other
Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean, is the painful outcome of that thrust
- an ill-advised policy of "globalisation and trade liberalization at all
costs". The charge of WTO incompatibility that was made against the
preferential trade regime, justly accorded to Saint Lucia and other ACP banana
producing countries under the Lome Agreement, has brought about the near
collapse of this vital industry. Saint Lucia welcomes the recent initiative by
the US for a new licensing agreement for the trading of bananas on the European
Market - an initiative that brought an end to the debilitating banana war with
Europe. Saint Lucia once more wishes to record its deep appreciation of the
perseverance and fortitude of the European Union, which stood by its
international obligations throughout these years of dispute. And we applaud the
news just in from Doha that after eighteen months, a WTO waiver has finally been
granted to the Cotonou Agreement thus paving the way for the implementation of
the new banana marketing arrangements. We hope that these recent developments
are not too late to save our industry. But the case of the great banana dispute
will always remain as a striking testimony to the inequities of the liberalized
trading system.
Mr. President St. Lucia is also concerned about the actions of several
organizations, such as the World Economic Council and the OECD, which seem to be
attempting to usurp the traditional roles and functions of the United Nations
and of national Governments. In the face of the near demise of the vital banana
industry, Saint Lucia and the other OECS islands sought to diversify their
economies by building on their competitive advantage in offshore financial
services. But would you believe, Mr. President, that OECD countries denounced
our efforts as being "harmful" to them and resorted to branding
Caribbean offshore financial services as havens for criminal activity. For us,
this is a violation of our territorial integrity, our sovereignty and our
economic rights. Saint Lucia accepts that it has an obligation to ensure that
its financial services are not used by unscrupulous individuals and interests.
However, Saint Lucia cannot in all good conscience surrender its sovereignty to
a governance system imposed by a few.
Mr. President, in the face of these selfish actions by developed countries
and the myopia of globalization, the role of the United Nations in bringing
order into the system has become even more pressing. . Mr. President, Saint
Lucia therefore re-issues its call for a rebirth of the United Nations System,
not only as an organization concerned with peacekeeping operations and
humanitarian missions, but also as an institution that is capable of effectively
governing the global economic system in a way that ensures an equitable
redistribution of the benefits of economic growth. We need a United Nations that
will safeguard against global economic crises and promote the adoption of
sustainable developmental policies.
In that context and with the emerging specter of a global economic recession,
the upcoming United Nations Conference on Financing for Development becomes even
more relevant, even more urgent. This Conference is of enormous importance to
the small island developing states of the Caribbean, faced as we are, by low
aggregate GDP, low domestic savings and investment capacity and undeveloped
financial markets. The development agenda of the Caribbean region cannot proceed
without requisite financing, nor can it be sustained without an enabling
international environment. We must all therefore commit to ensuring the success
of this conference.
Mr. President, our renewed call for the rebirth of the United nations is
further fuelled by an observation that it is systematically being displaced as a
source of guidance and as a font of collective wisdom on global issues. We fear
that if the UN continues to be marginalized in determining global development
policies and strategies, then the concerns of developing countries will be
excluded from the global agenda. A recent example of this, is the decision not
to include issues relating to the implementation of the Program of Action for
the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS/POA), in the
preparatory meetings for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. We see
this as undermining the spirit of the UN Resolution, which convened the UN
Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, held in Barbados in 1994. Indeed, it was recognized then, that the UN
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) had not paid sufficient
attention to the special circumstances of SIDS.
There are two other examples of UN inaction that leave us very concerned. Mr.
President, Saint Lucia laments the adoption by the United Nations of a
watered-down Convention on Small Arms. In small, island developing states like
Saint Lucia, growing economic instability has given rise to increased levels of
drug-related crime. In the Caribbean region, small arms are used in most of the
violent crimes that are committed against our law-abiding citizens. The global
trade in small arms must therefore be stemmed in the interest of peace and
stability. A weak small arms convention was therefore now what we required.
Mr. President, we remain deeply concerned that the plan of action of the
first international decade for the Eradication of Colonialism did not succeed in
the decolonisation of the remaining 17, mostly small island, non - self
governing territories. Accordingly, we request, as a matter of priority, that
the necessary resources and expertise be provided to implement the longstanding
resolutions on decolonisation, and the critical analyses called for in the plan
of action of the present international decade.
Mr. President, I close by extending on behalf of the Government and people of
Saint Lucia, warmest congratulations to His Excellency Kofi Annan, Secretary-
General and- the hard-working staff of the United Nations on the recent award of
the Nobel Peace Prize. We regard this award as an eloquent testimony to the
sterling efforts of this organization at building a peaceful world. At the same
time, we see the award as a challenge to the United Nations to remain resolute
in its commitment to the multilateral framework and not to allow itself to
become incapacitated by inaction, especially where the defense of human security
is concerned.
We all recognize that the events of September 11th have brought about a new
era in world affairs and new challenges for all of us - and in particular for
the United Nations. In the times that he ahead, the United Nations system must
do more that it has done before. It must resist the use of force in situations
where wisdom is needed. It must work harder at becoming a source of hope to the
hopeless and a reservoir of power to the powerless. It must re-double its
efforts at restoring the preservation of humanity as the highest of all ideals.
The horror of September 11th has shocked some of us to establish a coalition
against terrorism. It is time for the tragedy of underdevelopment to shock all
of us into forging new coalitions for development. In this conjuncture, let us
use this United Nations, energized by its Nobel Award, to create these
coalitions. Let us build a coalition in defense of the wretched of the earth -
to end their hunger, to terminate their poverty, to eradicate their diseases, to
forever banish their wretchedness.
Mr. President, I thank you
*****
STATEMENT BY H.E. the
Hon. Louis Straker, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for
Foreign Affairs, ST. VINCENT AND THE
GRENADINES,
TO THE GENERAL DEBATE
OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 14, 2001
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr. President, I bring you greetings from the small and beautiful Country of
St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Please accept my congratulations on
your appointment as President of the 56th Session of the General
Assembly. You are assured of my Country’s full support for a
successful session. I also offer heartfelt congratulations to
Secretary General Kofi Annan on his re-election to a second term; and to the
United Nations body and the Secretary General for the prestigious Nobel Peace
Prize received in honor of their efforts to ensure a better and more peaceful
world. It is impossible to think of more deserving recipients of this
award as this coalition of nations and our beloved Secretary General strive to
ensure that the organization fulfils its charter.
Mr. President,
I commend the President of the United States of America for the statesmanship
and resolve with which he continues to deal with the difficulties at
hand. I also salute the civic leaders of this great city of New York
for the inspirational leadership during this problematic time. The
city has been visited by tragedy once again this week. I offer on
behalf of the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines sincere
condolences to all those touched by this latest disaster not least our neighbors
and friends in the Dominican Republic.
Mr. President,
Our government stands firm with the international community on Resolution
1373 of the Security Council against Terrorism. We are working closely with
governments of CARICOM, Latin America and the United States in an effort to
fight the scourge of terrorism. Our government has tightened security and
implemented measures intended to close any possible avenues that criminals and
terrorists may exploit. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that
barbarism is defeated. Compliance with Resolution 1373 is difficult
and expensive for small states with limited means and technical
expertise. But we will comply.
Mr. President, the international community has mustered an impressive effort
to fight the plague of terrorism. In this midst of this, however, we must
not lose sight of the fact that terrorism will not be eradicated by one victory
in one war. It behooves us as world leaders to look deeper into the
causes of violence and terror. It is the firm belief of my
Government that marginalization of the poor and underprivileged create a hotbed
for extremism and lawlessness.
Mr. President
We of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean have triumphed
through the evils of slavery and colonialism to emerge with a truly noble
civilization. We are a people made up of races from the four corners
of the world who have melded into one beautiful whole. We are
democratic in our governance and tolerant in our attitudes. We are a
hard working, industrious people. We are proud. It is
not in our nature to seek alms from the rich. But Mr. President, it
is self evident that an economy such as ours, which is almost totally dependent
on agriculture and tourism, needs help if we are to survive and prosper.
Mr. President
The influence of the multi-national Chiquita and Dole banana companies has
been working for years to destroy the industry of our peasant banana
farmers. The WTO, of which we are a member, seems bent on widening
the gulf between rich and poor. We are not optimistic about the
outcome of this week’s summit in Doha. A farmer working one or two acres of
mountain land and eking out a living cannot compete with the giants who control
thousands of acres in the Central American countries. Mr. President,
if you take away that which feeds us, you must offer something in
return. That is why the upcoming conference in Mexico on financing
for development is of seminal importance to the small and developing countries
of this world. It is time for the economic giants of the world to
stop paying mere lip service to the idea of financing for development and put
into practice real and workable means for the poor, underprivileged and
vulnerable nations to join the mainstream. We need the commercial
barriers erected by those intent on maintaining their hegemony to be
removed. We adhere to the adage of “Trade, not Aid”.
But this is not yet a realistic option and in the present climate will not be
for the foreseeable future. We hate asking for charity.
We merely ask that promises be kept and commitments adhered to. As a
Small Island Developing State we need relief from the burden of our foreign
debt, high interest rates and other unfair international trade
constraints. We need the Bretton Woods Institutions to perform their
function in a democratic and just manner.
Mr. President, HIV/AIDS remain rampant worldwide. The recent
grave disaster in the United States of America has pushed other burning issues
of the day off the world agenda. But people have not stopped dying
of AIDS. The twenty-six million who have been forecast to succumb to
the scourge in the next ten years will still succumb. In the same
way that the U.S.A. and the European Union were able to “persuade” drug
companies to produce drugs to combat Anthrax at a fraction of their normal
price, the same drug companies must be “persuaded” to produce affordable
treatment for this plague which is causing a national security threat to many
poor countries. The state of affairs of HIV/AIDS has reached circumstances of
extreme urgency in our country. The Caribbean is now only second to
Sub-Saharan Africa as having the fastest rise in the incidents of
HIV/AIDS. We are not equipped to handle this crisis. We
are not able to afford the drugs to treat our people. Therefore, Mr.
President, they are dying – dying in their hundreds and thousands.
This world crisis, Mr. President, unlike terrorism, is one of which we know
exactly what is required. Do we have the will to provide the
necessary? The UN special session of the General Assembly last June
on HIV/Aids ended with a global commitment to combat this disease.
Are we living up to our commitment?
Mr. President,
Prior to September 11, our government implemented sound fiscal policies that
resulted in positive economic growth for our country. However, after that
infamous day, the economic outlook turned extremely bleak. Our burgeoning
tourist industry has suffered tremendously with employment taking an especially
heavy blow. Hotel occupancy dropped to a fifteen-year low. There
seems to be no end to the ripple effects on the industry. Just as
people were beginning to fly again, we had the tragedy in Queens on
Monday. This plunges us deeper into economic gloom and the real and
frightening possibility of recession looms ever closer.
Mr. President,
Following the admission of Tuvalu to the United Nations last year, we are
very close to realizing the principle of universality set forth in our
charter. Now, only one remaining country awaits admission to the
United Nations. That country, as we all know, is the Republic of
China on Taiwan.
The ROC’s impressive record of economic and political development is one of
the most persuasive reasons to eliminate the UN’s sole exception to
universality. Fifty years ago, Taiwan was a poor and underdeveloped
society. Fifty years later, the ROC has become an affluent and
prosperous country with a per capita GNP of around $14,000, annual trade of over
$300 billion, and a GNP of $320 billion.
Although the ROC is only the 138th largest country in the world in terms of
lands and the 46th largest in terms of population, it is today the world’s
17th largest economy, 15th largest trading nation, eight largest investor,
fourth largest holder of foreign exchange and third largest exporter of IT
products.
Under our principle of universality, we cannot continue to exclude a country
with such an impressive record of achievements. The time has come,
Mr. President, to open our doors to the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Mr. President
The situation in Afghanistan calls for immediate action on the part of the
United Nations to fill the power vacuum left by the departure of the ruling
Taliban from the capital Kabul. We must make sure that the new
administration is representative of all factions and we must further ensure that
the suffering and starving people receive immediate humanitarian aid to ensure
their survival through the coming winter months.
Finally, Mr. President,
I must reiterate that I am encouraged by the efforts undertaken by the United
Nations to work toward a society that ensures security and human dignity for all
in the future. The future looks good if we all work together for the
betterment of mankind. I assure you that my Prime Minister Dr. Ralph
Gonsalves, the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are fully
committed to supporting you in these endeavors, and may God direct all of us in
this path.
I thank you Mr. President.
*****
ADDRESS BY
H. E. MRS. MARIA E. LEVENS, MINISTER FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, REPUBLIC OF SURINAME,
TO THE GENERAL DEBATE
OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 12 NOVEMBER 2001
Mr. President,
My delegation lacks the words to convey the sadness about the plane crash in
a residential area in New York this morning. At moments like these silence
speaks for itself. From this silence, the government and people of Suriname
offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims. We pray that
our love, friendship and peace may comfort all who have been affected by this
tragedy and the horrific attacks on the 11th of September.
During the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations the need for
dialogue proves to be most essential in the world. In Suriname we have always
tried to apply the concept of dialogue.
Suriname is a small country with a multi-ethnic population. Our ancestors came
to Suriname generations ago from West Africa, China, India, Indonesia, Europe
and the Middle East. Owing to mutual respect and understanding we have been
fortunate in
Suriname that these groups live and have lived peacefully together. More than
ever, we realize that this harmony should be treasured and nurtured, since we
cannot take peace and harmony for granted any longer.
Our Government plays a very important role in this peaceful coexistence
because we have strongly promoted and actively worked on mutual respect and
consensus. We believe that for people to be actively involved in the development
of the country, they have to see themselves represented in the national and
local Governments. We strongly promote this consensus democracy in Suriname, for
this power sharing arrangement has stimulated all ethnic groups to be tolerant
and respectful of each others political ideologies, cultures and religions. Our
Government and people highly uphold the freedom of religion, as well as
tolerance and respect for each others cultural expressions.
In the same vain the indigenous people of Suriname live in the interior with
their own cultural and religious beliefs. The needs and rights of indigenous
people are dealt with at the highest level in our Government. Views and concerns
are shared with the Central Government through continuous dialogue. Therefore,
my government looks forward to the first conference of the Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues in May 2002.
Mr. President,
We know and have experienced that people's primordial attachments deepen in
times of need and despair. The grief of families from the United States of
America and other parts of the world were deeply felt, and all over the globe
many families and groups turned to each other for comfort. Our hearts go out to
all victims and their families.
We cannot yet assess all the social and economic effects of these attacks.
However, we have already seen the devastating effects on the Caribbean in terms
of loss of income, in for example tourism and trade.
Natural disasters have also affected our area and my delegation sympathizes with
the people of the Caribbean, especially Belize and Cuba who were struck by
hurricanes Iris and Michelle recently.
As a member of CARICOM we know that we have grave problems in the region.
Limited access to global markets because of stringent trade rules and WTO
regulations have resulted in increased poverty in our region. Suriname pleads
for an institutional arrangement between the UN and the WTO to allow developing
countries easier access to this body.
Mr. President,
We have further expanded and deepened the regional ties. In this respect we
would like to express our gratitude to the countries of the Western Hemisphere,
which have offered us assistance and shown their support to include us in the
various integration movements.
In the Caribbean, we enjoy a high level of democracy and are guided by
the rule of law. Our Governments have been actively involved in creating an
environment to attract foreign investors and to increase production of goods and
services. We still need assistance. The promises made by the Developed countries
in the Millennium Declaration of 2000 have not yielded the increase in Official
Development Assistance (ODA). We, the countries in development, need equal
opportunities.
If we as the international community agree that human centered development is
at the top of our agenda, we need to understand that we have to achieve this
together. If our goal is to eradicate abject poverty, we must make an effort to
achieve this goal. Cutting by half the number of people living on less than 1US$
a day, by 2015 is one of the main goals we want to achieve for the truly
disadvantaged.
The Financing for Development Conference, to be held in March 2002 in Mexico,
will give both, Developed and Developing countries, an opportunity to come to
concrete agreements and arrangements for resources for development. If we do not
take the opportunity of the Financing for Development Conference to work towards
sustainable development for all people in the world, we will miss a great chance
to achieve a more equitable distribution of global wealth.
We would also have missed a chance to intensify our struggle to combat deadly
diseases as HIV/AIDS and malaria affecting millions in the world. We committed
ourselves to continue the struggle against HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean Region and
in Africa, and we must not lose sight of the people who still die every day of
this disease.
It is up to us, the international community, to find solutions and improve the
lives of those billions of people, who are faced with global problems such as:
extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, illiteracy, the debt burden,
the refugee problem, environmental degradation and the widening gap between rich
and poor.
Mr. President,
Suriname has made great efforts in gender equality and we have training
programs in gender sensitivity for civil servants with the assistance of UNDP.
We have women in high-level positions and it gives me great pleasure to tell you
that our current delegation consists of mainly women. We are pleased with this
development in my country but we still have a long way to go.
Our Commitment to the role of women has prompted my country to work on a
resolution in the third committee of the General Assembly, namely Mainstreaming
the Situation of Older Women into Society, to ensure that this part of the
population will not be marginalized further in all our societies.
Aging has become a subject of increasing concern to the international
community, for it raises significant social and cultural questions, as well as
questions of economic stability. My government will join the international
community and the UN to address and support the UN initiative of a "Society
for all Ages". We should come up with appropriate strategies to
collectively deal with these issues during the Second World Assembly on Aging.
Mr. President,
Human development constitutes one of the key pillars of the development
policy of my government. People, especially our children, are our country's
greatest treasure. This is why looking after their well being is placed high on
our national agenda. Suriname is looking forward to the Special Session on
Children that has been postponed to May 2002.
Mr. President,
Suriname hopes that the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) of
2002, in Johannesburg, and the assessment of the Earth Summit of September 1992,
will lead to recommendations and commitments for the implementation of real
sustainable human development in a globally sustainable environment.
Protecting the environment is a responsibility of all countries. Suriname has
taken a first step in conserving bio-diversity for contemporary and future
generations by establishing the largest protected nature reserve in South
America three years ago. With this first step, we hope to encourage other
countries in the world to protect the environment, and to work together on the
many emerging global environmental threats.
Suriname is extremely concerned about the transshipment of nuclear waste
through the Caribbean Sea, but we are pleased to see that so many countries have
ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
Mr. President,
The ever widening global digital divide that hampers developing countries
from benefiting fully from the advancements in information technology is a
concern that we have discussed in various international forums.
Mr. President,
The effects of globalization have not been favorable to most developing
countries, however, we have come to understand and experience that our world is
an interdependent world, we cannot turn back this clock.
The attacks of the 11th of September have shown us how interdependent we are.
The loss of lives was directly felt in the US and in more than 60 countries in
the rest of the world. The economic effects are also felt in all parts of the
world.
Mr. President, in conclusion,
The Secretary General and the United Nations received the Nobel Peace Prize
this year at a time when the world was still trying to comprehend the horrific
attacks of September 11th on the United States. Suriname hopes that this
distinguished award will encourage the United Nations to continue its important
work for human rights, for peace, social justice, human development, human
rights education and economic prosperity for all the peoples of the world.
We congratulate the Secretary General with this prestigious award and his
re-election, and Mr. President we congratulate you on your election and look
forward to your guidance and leadership during the 56th General Assembly.
As a UN family we are called upon to practice tolerance and to live together in
peace with one another as good neighbors. Because of the devastating
consequences after September 11th, we have the obligation to look closely at the
root causes of terrorism. The causes of terrorism have to be discussed and dealt
with to protect all our peoples and interests.
For the World is our home and we are the people who live in it.
I thank you Mr. President.
*****
STATEMENT by The Hon. Mervyn Assam, Minister of Enterprise Development
and Foreign Affairs,
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, TO THE GENERAL DEBATE
of the 56th
SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
NEW YORK, 15th NOVEMBER, 2001
Mr. President,
Trinidad and Tobago congratulates
you on your election to preside over the 56th Session of the
General Assembly. Your unanimous endorsement by both your regional group
and all Member States, is testimony of the high esteem in which you and
your country are held by this Organisation. You may rest assured of the
full cooperation of my delegation as you engage in the task of presiding
over the work of the United Nations.
The Government of Trinidad and
Tobago takes this opportunity to thank H.E. Harri Holkeri, President of
the Assembly during its 55th session, for the skillful manner
in which he guided the organisation during his tenure.
My delegation also congratulates the
Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on his election to serve this body for
a second term. Mr. Annan has brought a unique vision and a sense of
purpose to the United Nations, engendering in the organization a renewed
spirit to address the issues confronting the international community at
the dawn of this century. In so doing, he has sought to put the basic
rights and collective aspirations of human beings at the centre of the
work of the United Nations. It is not surprising therefore, that both Mr.
Annan and the organization which he so effectively heads should this year
be recipients of one of the world's most coveted and prestigious awards,
the Nobel Prize for Peace. Trinidad and Tobago extends most sincere
congratulations. It is with an equal sense of pride that I feel compelled
to make mention here too, that the twin island State of Trinidad and
Tobago is the birth place of another of this year's Nobel Laureates, Sir
Vidia Naipaul, recipient of the Prize for Literature.
Mr. President, it is propitious that
the year 2001 was proclaimed the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations
by the General Assembly. It is a clear acknowledgement by the
international community that it is only through dialogue, that the voice
of diverse peoples and their approaches to the many challenges that face
them, find expression. Indeed, tolerance and a respect for diversity
remain key components of the strategies that must be developed to address
these concerns. Dialogue that is fair and free of fear, speaks not merely
of a civilized society but of a society that will endure. History, Mr.
President will judge us, not by our so-called progress, but by what we as
a people, as nation states, and as a world community allow to endure.
Relatedly, the fundamental values enshrined in the Millennium Declaration
are so integral to this process, that they can never be over-emphasized.
They provide the much needed guidance required in maintaining focus and
commitment as we strive to address these global challenges. Indeed, in the
context of unfolding world events there appears to be greater need, more
urgent need to re-commit ourselves to the values inherent in dialogue and
among nations.
Two months ago in our host city and
country, the world witnessed the most heinous terrorist assault. Many
Member States, including my own, count their citizens among the victims.
We have all been affected by the diverse and widening repercussions
stemming from the assault. It was a harsh and tragic reminder that we live
in a global environment and that events in one country can have an impact
on each and every one of us.
Mr. President, we must recognize
these vicious acts for what they are. No country is immune from terrorism.
We have a collective responsibility to send a strong and clear message
that such acts will not go unpunished. Action has been initiated to
counter them. It is with renewed vigour therefore that Member States must
pursue at the national and international levels all appropriate measures
designed to combat this scourge against mankind. In keeping with this
stance, Trinidad and Tobago had already acceded to eleven of the
international conventions against terrorism. Trinidad and Tobago
vehemently condemns terrorism in all its manifestations, wherever it
occurs.
Mr. President, acts of terrorism lie
in the hearts and minds of the misguided. There are now looming threats of
recourse to bioterrorism, chemical warfare and even nuclear weapons. The
international community should not delude itself that conventional tactics
will return that sense of security that many parts of the world enjoyed
prior to September 11. A world forum like the United Nations must address
the fundamental underlying causes - the social, economic, political and
psychological conditions - that provide a fertile breeding ground for
terrorism. We do have a moral responsibility to our citizens, to our
children, and to the coming generations, to make the world a better place
for them by denying the terrorist his use of Fear and Intimidation.
Mr. President, despite the gravity
and topicality of the phenomenon, we cannot allow the spectre of terrorism
to deter us in our sense of purpose as we pursue developmental objectives
aimed at the betterment of our peoples. Neither should we allow it to
deflect attention from other activities which impact just as negatively on
our societies, such as the illicit drug trade and the illegal trade in
small arms. For its part, my Government has enacted legislation
authorising the confiscation of the assets resulting from drug
trafficking. In like manner, existing legislation will be strengthened and
relevant measures put in place as part of my country's contribution to the
international effort in the fight against terrorism.
Mr. President, it is this very need
to preserve democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, that
spurred the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to propose in 1989, a
renewed focus on the establishment of a permanent International Criminal
Court. We will continue our efforts to have the crimes of illegal drug
trafficking and terrorism included within the jurisdiction of the Court.
At the national level the government
of Trinidad and Tobago recognises the need to also maintain a focus on
promoting economic growth and creating a better quality of life for all
its citizens as key elements in preserving democracy. In this context, the
Government has identified nine(9) key objectives aimed at creating a
healthier, better educated and a highly skilled nation, capable of fully
participating in the life of the national community and wider global
society. But even as we pursue these objectives, we know that as a small
island developing state, we have special needs and vulnerabilities.
Therefore what is required is a supportive, regional and global
environment. That is why we place special significance on the achievements
of the various development targets set out at last year's Millennium
Summit. As a Small Island Developing State, we would like to remind this
Assembly of the Summit's resolve to implement rapidly and in full. the
1994 Barbados Programme of Action and the 1999 outcome of the
Twenty-Second Special Session of the General Assembly pertaining to the
needs of Small Island Developing States.
Trinidad and Tobago is also of the
view that trade remains one of the essential elements for our
economic growth. While safety and security concerns have become a
priority, the onus is still on the international community to guarantee
the strength and stability of commodity prices on which the majority of
developing countries depend to finance their growth and development.
Consideration must also be given to
extending debt relief to middle income countries, as this will free
resources otherwise allocated to debt servicing to assist in the financing
of critical sectors such as health and education. Trinidad and Tobago, for
example, currently utilizes a significant portion of its GDP to meet debt
servicing requirements, resources which would be better utilized in our
fight against the AIDS pandemic, which is fast emerging as a major
development challenge, not only for Trinidad and Tobago, but for many of
our sister islands in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world.
Mr. President, resource mobilisation
at the national, regional and international levels is central to the
development of small island states. Trinidad and Tobago has consequently
given priority to the mobilisation of domestic resources within an overall
macro-economic policy which encourages the creation of a competitive
business environment.
Success in domestic resource
mobilisation is however heavily dependent on the external environment and
linked to success in accessing the markets of developed countries. Many of
the factors which impinge on attracting foreign capital lie outside the
control of developing countries. Trinidad and Tobago faces the particular
problem of attracting foreign investment in the non-oil sector, 'which
affects the overall development of social infrastructure. Foreign Direct
Investment also tends to flow where profits are highest, not necessarily
where sound policy for the creation of a hospitable local environment has
been instituted.
Of equal significance for developing
states is next year's Conference on Financing for Development, where the
central issue of reforming the decision-making system will be under
review. International Financial Institutions for their own part, must
therefore work to ensure that developing countries are allowed to
participate more fully in all policy decisions which directly affect them.
Similarly, the Special and
Differential Treatment provisions of the WTO agreements must be
implemented if developing countries are to maximize their potential gains
of Trade. Trinidad and Tobago is convinced of the need for the WTO to
recognize the differences in the levels of development capacity which
exist among its members, including developing members. Our position on
this issue was clearly enunciated at the just concluded Doha Ministerial.
As an ACP Member State, of critical
concern too is the inordinate and unjustifiable delay in granting the
waiver request for the ACP/EC Partnership Agreement. It is an issue which
has serious systemic implications for the Organisation and it is for this
reason that Trinidad and Tobago, like fellow ACP members, considered it
imperative that it be addressed at the Ministerial Conference.
Even as I am addressing you now,
active discussions are taking place in Doha on these two issues and it is
my hope that the deliberations will result in the interest of developing
countries.
In the sphere of health Mr.
President, no one would dispute that a real connection exists between a
nation's development capacity and the health of its people. In this
regard, my Government has noted with special interest the call to
strengthen the resolve adopted at the Millennium Summit to halt and
reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015. At the heart of our concern is the
fact that the Caribbean region ranks second in the world where AIDS is the
leading cause of death in the 15 - 44 age group, a distinction the region
can ill afford to bear.
Trinidad and Tobago has again
demonstrated its own commitment to international efforts by having hosted
last month, the Tenth International Conference for People Living with
HIV/AIDS. Further, Trinidad and Tobago was among those countries specially
selected to participate in Phase II of the HIV/AIDS vaccine trials, which
aims to develop a safe, affordable and accessible vaccine. The Government
too, has successfully negotiated with pharmaceutical companies a ninety
percent reduction in the cost of antiretroviral drugs (AZTs). Trinidad and
Tobago supports also the establishment of the Global Aids Health Fund. As
a member of the Transitional Working Group of the Fund, we will seek to
ensure that in the modalities of the Fund, accession will not be
burdensome and bureaucratic, and that special consideration will be given
to the most seriously affected countries.
Another element in the pervading
cycle of under-development is the presence of persistent poverty.
Trinidad and Tobago fully supports the call of Heads of State and
Government at the Millennium Summit, to strive to cut in half by 2015, the
proportion of people living in extreme poverty. At the state level,
Trinidad and Tobago's progress in the area of poverty eradication is
illustrated by the high ranking it has enjoyed since 1977 in the United
Nations Human Development Index.
Likewise, Trinidad and Tobago
remains committed to the agreement on the economic and environmental goals
of the United Nations. We therefore welcome the agreements reached at the
Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 6) of the
United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, especially the establishment of a special climate fund, a
fund for LDCs, and the Kyoto Protocol Adaptation Fund to be established,
in order to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes. We now
encourage developed countries to ratify the Protocol so that it can enter
into force as quickly as possible.
As a small island state which relies
heavily on the marine environment for our petroleum, natural gas, fishing
and tourism industries, we are also committed to upholding the principles
and fulfilling the obligations of the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea. We support the work of the International Seabed Authority in
respect of the development and exploitation of minerals of the deep seabed
for the benefit all humankind. In our quest to ensure the preservation of
the marine environment, we reiterate that the question of the transhipment
of hazardous waste through the Caribbean Sea is a cause of deep concern to
the region since, in many instances, the marine environment constitutes
the only meaningful resource on which some states depend for their very
existence.
Mr. President, against a landscape
of differing stages of development, of differing cultural perspectives and
of disparate and competing interests, what does emerge is an undeniable
strength of purpose within this body, that unites us all in a shared
commitment not only to improve the standard of human life but to preserve
it at all costs. Harnessing this strength of purpose ultimately depends on
every Member State appreciating its inherent value, and the value it adds
by its participation in the work of fora such as these. It is for this
reason, Mr. President, that we must continue the dialogue, albeit more
vigorously, to ensure that the interests of peace and security are better
served. Reform of the Security Council must therefore be advanced in a
meaningful way. Democratization of the Security Council will require more
equitable representation. This goal can only be accomplished by expansion
of the Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories.
The task before us is not
insurmountable. We must deepen the dialogue to accelerate implementation
of the goals defined in the Millennium Summit and specified in the various
global conferences and reviews which have taken place to date. We must
ensure that the process of implementation is conducted within a spirit of
equity and justice. Equal attention must be given to all groups of
countries, developed and developing, large and small, landlocked, transit
and small island developing states. Trinidad and Tobago remains fully
committed to this process. Let us make this 56th Session one of
defining the process of implementation.
I thank you.
*****
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