I would like to begin by expressing to you, Mr. President, our sincere
congratulations on your election to the presidency of the forty-seventh
session of the General Assembly. The trust and confidence bestowed upon you
reflects appreciation for you personally as well as recognition of the
positive role played by your country, Bulgaria, in international affairs. I
wish you success in the pursuit of your mission.
On this occasion, I would like to congratulate your predecessor.
Ambassador Samir Shihabi, for his effective conduct of the affairs of the
General Assembly during its previous session.
I also would like to acknowledge the continued sincere efforts by the
Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, to enhance the prospects for
peace and reduce the elements of tension which prevail in many parts of the
world. These efforts and pursuits represent a continuation of the efforts of
his predecessor, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar.
I am pleased to join with the other heads of delegations in welcoming all
the States which have joined the United Nations this year so that they may
participate, along with all other Member States, in realizing the noble
objectives of this Organization. It is my hope that these States will be able
to play an effective role in the Organization, and contribute positively to
the realization of peace, security, stability, and development for the benefit
of the international community as a whole.
We are assembled here in this international forum in which nations, small
and large, powerful and weak, meet on the basis of equality and work together
for the establishment of right and justice, order and security, prosperity and
peace. We learn from the lessons of the past, to chart a course for the
future in an environment of fast-changing global conditions and
circumstances. We follow, with great interest, the general trends of what has
come to be known as the new world order, an order founded upon the principles
of the United Nations and on the tenets of international legality. This order
rejects the use of force in the settlement of disputes. We must understand
that this order cannot evolve by itself, but requires us to change our
perception of the role of the United Nations. We must develop our methods and
practices in harmony with the basic principles of the Organization, whose
purpose is to replace war ind destruction with cooperation between nations and
peoples and thereby lead to development, respect for the dignity of man,
security, peace and prosperity for our world.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to bring about a fundamental change in
our understanding of the role of the United Nations from one of crisis
management and the preservation of peace to one of active participation in
peacemaking.
In this context, I would like to express appreciation for the proposals
presented by the Secretary-General for enhancing the role and effectiveness of
the United Nations. His Agenda for Peace which contained those proposals,
deserves prompt attention, objective consideration and thorough study in order
for us to arrive at an appropriate formula for the functioning of the
Organization that would be compatible with its desired more effective role.
Subsequently, attention could be given to the introduction of basic structural
and institutional changes, if required.
Even a cursory review of the current international situation would reveal
that there still remain hotbeds of tension which threaten security and
stability in many regions of the world. It would show too that the role of
the United Nations becomes increasingly more important concomitantly with the
increase in the possibilities and opportunities for cooperation among nations
in enhancing and supporting the Organization so that no nation may commit
aggression against or threaten the security, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of any other nation.
The United Nations has clearly demonstrated that it is capable of playing
such a role when it firmly faced up to the Iraqi aggression against its
neighbour, Kuwait, a peaceful nation that may be small in size but which plays
a major role and makes major contributions to the family of nations. By so
doing, the United Nations was able to liberate Kuwait from a blatant
aggression and restore legality to its territory. The image of this noble
stand still remains before us and is indelibly etched in our minds.
On this occasion, it behoves us to express our appreciation and
admiration for this role and to emphasize now, more than ever, the need for it
to continue and be promoted, for we have noticed recently the return of the
Iraqi regime to the pattern of threats and false claims regarding Kuwait in a
manner that is reminiscent of that regime's declarations on the eve of its
aggression against Kuwait. In so doing, it makes a mockery of its obligations
under international treaties and resolutions. It also continues to
procrastinate in implementing the resolutions of the Security Council and
fails to comply with their stipulations. It has given itself the right, on
the basis of sovereignty, to starve and humiliate the Iraqi people and subject
Iraq to dangers that threaten its unity and security while it goes on
claiming, falsely and slanderously, that it is the international community
that is responsible for the dangers that beset Iraq and the miseries of its
people.
We are totally convinced that the only means of averting instability in
the region and dealing with the suffering of the people of Iraq lies, first
and foremost in ensuring the complete and comprehensive implementation of the
resolution of the Security Council which reflect the collective will of the
international community.
We have heard, with great concern, the declaration by the United Arab
Emirates that its efforts have failed to achieve a peaceful and amicable
solution with the Islamic Republic of Iran in relation to the complete
sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over the three islands of Abu Mousa,
Tun the Greater and Tun the Smaller. We express our support for the position
taken by the United Arab Emirates on this issue and for its demand that Iran
reverse its unilateral actions and that the problem be settled through
negotiations on the basis of international law and international legality.
The Middle East is among the regions which attract a great deal of the
international community's attention and is the focus of its efforts. It is
time that this region enjoyed its rightful share of peace, security and
stability so that all its energies may be directed towards development and all
its resources may be devoted to ensuring the prosperity of its peoples. The
Middle East is capable of providing a decent standard of living for all its
inhabitants and has the potential to become a peaceful oasis of stability,
prosperity and creativity.
To achieve the objectives we desire, it is our vital duty to strive to
eliminate the threat posed by the stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction
in the Middle East. We therefore welcome the conclusion of negotiations on
the non-proliferation convention banning chemical weapons. The draft
convention resulting from those negotiations is before the General Assembly at
its current session. We affirm our support for the objectives of the draft
convention. This support derives from the great concern of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia to make the Middle East a region free from weapons of mass
destruction of all kinds whether nuclear, chemical or biological. However,
that goal can be reached only when all States in the region without exception
refrain from the production, stockpiling or possession of weapons of mass
destruction of any kinds.
It should be noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has adhered, both in
word and in deed, to the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, and the Arab States have demonstrated the collective will to
adhere to that Treaty as well. It has therefore become imperative that all
States in the region, including Israel, abide by both the chemical-weapons
convention and the non-proliferation Treaty, so as to achieve the desired
balance necessary for peace, security and stability for all States in the
region.
The Arab States have expressed a sincere, genuine desire to establish a
permanent, just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This has been
demonstrated by their participation in the peace negotiations sponsored by the
United States and the Russian Federation. Their positive position in those
negotiations has proved to be a serious orientation towards ending the
Arab-Israeli conflict and towards achieving a just settlement of the
Palestinian question that would ensure the restoration of the legitimate
rights of the Palestinian people on the basis of Security Council resolutions
242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and other relevant resolutions of international
legality.
In that context, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has lent its full support to
the current Middle East peace process. Saudi Arabia believes that no genuine
peace can be achieved in the Middle East unless a permanent, just solution to
the Palestinian question is reached and unless Israel withdraws from all the
occupied Arab territories, including Al-Quds which is an integral part of the
occupied Arab territories. The question of Al-Quds has a focal place in the
policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is one of its constant concerns,
within the context of the relevant United Nations resolutions and of the
resolutions of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The success of the current Middle East peace process clearly depends on a
serious, genuine commitment by Israel to implement the resolutions of
international legality and on Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Arab
territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
The Lebanese Government has made considerable progress in the
implementation of the Taef accords and has adopted the necessary political and
constitutional measures in that context. We must continue to support the
efforts of the legitimate authorities in Lebanon and contribute to the process
of reconstruction in Lebanon. In that regard, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
appeals to the international community to help facilitate the establishment of
an international fund to assist Lebanon. We must also reiterate the need for
an Israeli commitment fully and unconditionally to implement Security Council
resolution 425 (1978), which calls on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon
to enable the Lebanese Government to extend legitimate authority over the
entire territory of Lebanon.
The General Assembly was right in deciding to deny the legality of the
succession of the so-called Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the seat held by
the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We view this as a step
in the right direction and hope that other steps will follow with a view to
restoring peace and stability to that part of the Balkans.
The people of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina are falling victim
to a genocidal war waged by Serbian forces with the support of Serbia and
Montenegro. That genocidal war has claimed thousands of innocent victims and
has resulted in the displacement of a large portion of the population away
from their homes and possessions. My country has already declared its full
support for the decisions and resolutions adopted with the consent of all
parties concerned at the recent London Conference on the situation in the
former Yugoslavia.
We hope that concerted efforts will be made to ensure the full and
serious implementation of those resolutions. So far, however, we regret that
none of them has been implemented. We refer to resolutions such as those
concerned with the placement of heavy weapons and artillery under
international supervision; declaring the airspace of the Republic of Bosnia
and Herzegovina a no-fly zone for the operations of military aircraft; the
release of all prisoners-of-war and detainees; the dismantling of detention
camps; and the termination of the policy of ethnic cleansing.
On this issue, the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
does not believe that ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance through
the United Nations to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina is sufficient.
Rather, we believe that all necessary measures should be adopted to stop all
the acts of genocide and displacement that are being perpetrated by the
Serbian forces with the support of the Belgrade regime. That requires the
intensification of pressure on the Serbs and their supporters to force them to
abide by the commitments they took upon themselves at the London Conference.
The creation of a permanent mechanism to monitor the implementation of those
commitments is very necessary.
We note with grave concern that there is some hesitation in declaring the
airspace of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina a no-fly zone for the
military aircraft of Serbia and Montenegro. The hesitation ostensibly stems
from a concern that such a step would lead to an aggravation of the
situation. But the situation is extremely grave as it is and cannot get much
worse. The real dangers to be taken into consideration are those which the
citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina face, namely, genocide, displacement and
torture. All of those constitute the most flagrant violations of the United
Nations Charter, the principles and tenets of international law, and the
Fourth Geneva Convention. The war that rages there is not even a civil war
but a war of extermination waged openly on the people of a sovereign,
independent State whose territory has been occupied by the perpetrators of
that brutal and savage aggression.
Accordingly, we call upon the Security Council of the United Nations to
take all necessary measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter,
including Article 42; starting with the declaring of the airspace of the
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina a no-fly zone for the air forces of Serbia
and Montenegro and ensuring the withdrawal of all regular and irregular
Serbian forces from the territories of the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. At the same time, we urge the international community to make
available all possible material, military and moral support to enable the
Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to exercise fully the legitimate right of
self-defence. In the absence of an effective collective security mechanism,
the arms embargo on the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be lifted.
We are also of the view that those responsible for grave violations of
the Fourth Geneva Convention should be apprehended and placed on trial
according to the principles and provisions of international law. We also
support the right of the people and Government of the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to just compensation from Serbia and Montenegro for the loss of
life and property they have suffered.
Somalia is currently a nation plagued by disasters and tragedies as a
result of a destructive civil war which has brought upon its people death and
displacement and undermined its unity and territorial integrity. The
Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques have endeavoured from the
outset of the conflict in sisterly Somalia to contain that conflict invited
all the parties to the conflict to meet on Saudi soil for the purpose of
achieving national reconciliation. Saudi Arabia still exerts all possible
efforts to put an end to that fratricidal conflict. Saudi Arabia also
provides assistance and relief to Somalia and unequivocally supports the role
of the United Nations in delivering assistance to those who deserve it. It
has welcomed the dispatch of international forces to supervise operations that
provide humanitarian assistance to all regions of Somalia. The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia hopes that concerted international efforts will be made to
provide all possible assistance and relief to this afflicted nation and
supports the effort to put an end to the bloodshed. We urge all Somali
factions to work together towards making their national interest and human
values their overriding objective so as to eliminate the causes of conflict
and disunity among them.
After 13 years of successful jihad the Afghani people were able to
triumph over injustice and regain their national identity. On this occasion
we look forward to the joining of all constructive and sincere efforts to
enable the Afghani people to achieve security and stability in their nation.
We also look forward to the return of normal conditions throughout
Afghanistan, to make possible the rebuilding of what has been destroyed and
thus to enable the people of Afghanistan to work towards achieving a national
unity that would bring together the various groups and organizations and
provide a climate conducive to national unity and the deployment of concerted
efforts in pooling all energies and resources for the well-being and in the
interests of that country's people.
We also need to point out that that part of the world is still suffering
from the continuation of the Jamu-Kashmir problem, which continues to be an
element of instability in the region. The Government of the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques believe that a solution must be found on the basis of United
Nations resolutions to put an end to this long-standing conflict which has
cast its shadow over relations between the two neighbours, India and Pakistan.
While voicing its regrets at the violence South Africa has been
experiencing over the past few months and the serious setbacks it has caused
to the efforts aiming at ending the apartheid system, the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia welcomes the recent developments in that country, which revive our hope
for progress towards the dismantling of that abhorrent system. The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia supports a major role for the United Nations in offering
appropriate solutions and in working towards the establishment of a society
governed by equality and justice.
The positive changes that have taken place in the international political
situation are bound to pave the way for addressing the issues of development
and for the creation of an international economic environment that would help
the developing nations to achieve the sort of economic and social development
that would enable them to realize the ambitions and aspirations of their
peoples after a better life of peace and prosperity. The developed
industrialized nations can cooperate in making this possible by opening their
markets to the products of the developing nations, ending all protectionist
measures, bringing about at an early date a successful outcome to the Uruguay
Round of multilateral trade talks and by finding an urgent solution to the
debt problem. Economic cooperation between the developing countries
themselves is also necessary as it would constitute a fundamental tool for the
promotion of international economic growth.
Questions pertaining to the situation of the world economy are of great
importance and interest to us in Saudi Arabia, for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
has a stake in ensuring the stability and soundness of the world economy and
in avoiding the hurdles and pitfalls that may affect its growth.
Proceeding from this, it has responded positively to the ongoing
discussions on the environment and development and has shouldered its
responsibility in this respect by participating in the international
deliberations aimed at finding well-balanced and practicable solutions to the
questions of climatic change on a sound scientific basis.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is convinced that the future of the world and
the prosperity of all its inhabitants depend on a clear understanding of the
environmental problems that face the planet, full understanding of the
consequences that may result from the policies adopted in dealing with those
problems, careful weighing of the burdens and commitments taken by the
countries of the world upon themselves in addressing those problems, special
attention to the situation of the developing energy producers and consumers
alike and careful examination of the effects the policies adopted in dealing
with the problems may have on the growth of the economies of those countries.
This would constitute a valuable contribution to the achievement of
comprehensive development and the raising of the standard of living of our
peoples so that they may enjoy prosperity, peace, security and stability. The
current international situation that has developed from the ending of the cold
war and the progress achieved in the areas of disarmament and reductions in
conventional weapons, is a rare opportunity indeed for channelling resultant
windfalls towards solving the problems of development and underdevelopment.
The international community is on the threshold of a historic new era
whose challenges and promises are unfolding under our eyes. We are duty-bound
to lay solid and equitable foundations that define the parameters of the
future that humanity has always aspired after, a future in which no one would
awaken to the expectation of war or goes to bed haunted by the nightmarish
prospects of destruction, a future that would melt down the weapons of
destruction in order to forge the tools of prosperity for all, a future in
which the dangers of pollution, the effects of underdevelopment and the pains
of displacement would vanish. We shall never attain such a future unless we
lay the foundations of peace on right and justice. And peace is the essence
of our Islamic faith. As the Holy Koran says:
0 ye who believe!
Enter into Islam
Whole-heartedly;
And follow not
The footsteps
Of the Evil One;
For he is to you
An avowed enemy.