It gives
me pleasure, at the outset of my statement, to congratulate you warmly on
behalf of the Mauritanian delegation on your unanimous election to the
presidency of our Assembly. We are confident that your ability, political
experience and diplomatic skills will enable you to guide this session to its
desired goals.
We should like to extend our thanks also to your predecessor.
Ambassador Samir Shihabi, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for
the judicious manner in which he conducted the work of the past session.
I should also like to take this opportunity to extend to
Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali our warmest congratulations on the occasion of his
election to the post of Secretary-General of our Organization. We should like
to pay tribute to his efficiency and the positive results he has been able to
achieve in the short period he has spent in office. I should like to reaffirm
to him our full readiness to work with him in any way that would contribute to
the performance of his tasks.
At a time when the universal character of our Organization becomes more
and more pronounced through the accession of new States to its membership, I
cannot but seize this opportunity to extend to those new Members our
congratulations on their accession and, in welcoming them, express our
confidence that they will be a new tributary of strength to this Organization.
The year 1992 will always be a landmark on the road to a new type of
dialogue-and-cooperation-oriented international relations. This is attested
to by the high-level international meetings that have been held, and which
have contributed to the emergence of new patterns of international relations.
Examples of such meetings were the first summit of the members of the Security
Council, the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Summit of the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) in Dakar, and the tenth summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
in Djakarta.
At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, it became clear to all that it is
no longer acceptable that islands of wealth should persist in an ocean of
poverty and that international problems cannot be solved in the absence of
sincere and effective cooperation between all peoples.
In these international conditions of rapid change, the causes of
democracy and human rights have undergone a marked development and the idea of
linking social progress to economic development has gained more acceptance.
This proves that no country or group of countries, no matter how powerful, can
face up to the challenges of the age on its own, without extensive cooperation
and consultation.
However, the concept of cooperation and consultation, between countries,
even if it has gained acceptance in theory, has yet to be translated into
actual reality.
In this context, the Rio de Janeiro Conference was a promising start.
The decision of the Earth Summit to hold negotiations with the aim of
developing an international convention on the phenomenon of drought and
desertification is cause for optimism. It is regrettable, however, that this
natural disaster has been allocated the smallest share of the resources
earmarked for the implementation of the environmental programme.
Mauritania, in which the bane of drought and desertification has become a
chronic affliction, has formulated a programme of its own for combating
desertification and correcting the imbalance in its environment.
Proceeding from our experience in this area, we appreciate the
difficulties of the countries which suffer from this phenomenon. I should
like, on this occasion, to declare our solidarity with the peoples of southern
regions of Africa and the Horn of Africa who are now suffering the effects of
drought.
With the ending of the cold war and its ideological conflicts, today's
world faces no greater challenge than that of development. In past decades,
the traditional current pattern of development proved to be deficient and
incapable of achieving its goals. It is generally accepted now that
alleviating poverty and even attaining a measure of economic well-being are no
longer sufficient to satisfy the ambitions of mankind for progress. The
social dimension of the question of development is vital for the happiness of
mankind. This has proved to be true to such an extent that the advocates of
absolute liberalism have come to concede that no economic progress can be
achieved in the absence of a social chapter that would complement it.
Hence the hope we attach to the planned world summit on social
development, as such a meeting would highlight the need to link the economic
and the social in development.
The world economic situation still causes concern. The most telling
proof of this is that the developing countries, particularly in Africa, still
face frustrating international conditions that are downright harmful, such as
protectionism and the burden of foreign debt.
The economies of developing countries are continuously deteriorating and
poverty is increasing and spreading. Unless something is done to combat this
situation, it will become impossible to build a world where stability reigns.
How can we talk about a new world order while nothing concrete is done to
eliminate hunger, disease and ignorance? Was it not declared in the
resolutions of the first summit of the member States of the Security Council
that peace and prosperity are complementary and that no lasting stability can
be achieved without real international cooperation to eliminate poverty and to
achieve a better life for all?
And yet, there is a better chance for international cooperation because
of the increasing practice of democracy in the world and increasing economic
liberalism world wide. In such a context, the United Nations can play a
principal role, as it is the ideal forum wherein international questions can
be addressed, as best exemplified by the special session of the General
Assembly in 1990 and the Rio de Janeiro summit. Those two gatherings have
demonstrated that it is possible for us to conduct a dialogue between North
and South and thereby to create a climate that is conducive to the promotion
of development.
The reorganization of the United Nations Secretariat will be an
opportunity to take into account the interests of the majority of the
inhabitants of the planet who face the challenge of development, and who bear
the burden of its attendant fierce struggle against backwardness, ignorance
and disease. In such a context, special attention should be paid to Africa.
Africa is the continent that exerts strenuous efforts in facing up to the
ravages of natural disasters and, at the same time, in coping with the adverse
and frustrating international conditions that stifle its growth, such as a
foreign debt that now exceeds US$ 225 billion.
It has to cope with all this under the crushing impact of the increasing
depletion of its sources of foreign investment. Therefore, we should provide
effective support to implement the United Nations Convention on the
development of Africa in the 1990s. The political support for the Convention
that was announced by the latest summit in Dakar was a first step in that
direction.
Fortunately, the world now witnesses marked progress in the observance of
human rights. However, and regrettably, there are still dark corners where
the darkness has not been pierced yet by the ray of light of freedom and
tolerance. How else could we explain what is taking place today in Bosnia?
How else could we explain the massacres, the destruction of property, the
humiliation, and the desecration of sacred shrines? Can there be any hope of
putting an end to this tragedy without more pressure on Serbia by every
available legitimate means to force it to comply with the will of the
international community? Is it not high time for the international community
to put an end to the threats to peace and the violations of basic human rights
in all the world's hotbeds of tension?
The World Conference on Human Rights scheduled for next year should
provide convincing answers to such questions. For our part, we shall hold on
to our conviction that the best possible way to ensure respect for human
rights is to consider them as universal standards that must be applied in all
cases, to all, without distinction. In other words, we should not confine
ourselves to condemning repressive practices whenever this serves our
interests and purposes. We sincerely hope that the future Vienna summit will
succeed in affirming the purely humane nature of human rights as far away as
possible from political or ideological considerations.
While we are concerned about the world economic situation and its effects
on international relations at the present time, we are hopeful that the
increasing development of democratic practices will lead to more harmonious
relations between countries. Mauritanians feel proud of their country's
contribution in this respect.
The democratic process which was launched by the Correction Movement on
12 December 1984, has culminated, this year, in the holding of presidential
and legislative assembly elections within a context of political pluralism.
The gradualist approach adopted in achieving this has proved to be the best
way of avoiding the shocks of sudden change. Municipal elections, in various
stages, gave the citizen the necessary lessons and sufficient experience to
acquire a spirit of tolerance, and also tested the electoral machinery.
The Mauritanian people have voted on a constitution embodying a full
multiparty system for the first time in the history of the country. This
constitution, which was voted upon and ratified on 12 July 1991, makes
provision for all the freedoms that are set out in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. Consequently, it provides an effective basis for the rule of
law under which every citizen will enjoy freedom and justice. In support of
this qualitative transition, there has been a general amnesty that covered all
political crimes and misdemeanours committed since the country became
independent. We are therefore very happy to state that in our country today
we do not have a single political prisoner.
We have passed laws on the freedom of the press and freedom of political
parties and political assembly which have led to the publication of
40 independent newspapers and to the establishment of 16 political parties in
addition to various cultural and scientific organizations. This process has
culminated in three major events: the presidential elections of
24 January 1992; the elections to the House of Representatives on 6 and
13 March; and the Senate elections on 3 and 10 April 1992.
All these elections took place in an atmosphere of freedom, tolerance and
transparency which enabled everyone to see everything that was going on and to
monitor it. That this was the case was confirmed by foreign observers who
monitored the election process. Indeed, as one of those observers said, the
real winner of the election race was the Mauritanian people. Mauritanians
have turned their backs on the experience of single-party and non-democratic
systems, and have chosen pluralism and real democracy, and, thus, have become
the source of the authority and legality, as President Mo'awia Ould Sidi Ahmed
al Tayeh remarked in his inaugural address.
Our struggle is not confined to our efforts to develop democracy. We
have simultaneously been waging a battle of economic reform, since 1985, by
means of specific plans and programmes. What is at stake here is raising the
standard of living of every citizen. Included in this campaign are the
efforts to eliminate illiteracy by the year 2000 and to enhance the status and
rights of women. In mentioning these efforts, I should like to extend our
thanks and gratitude to all the countries and international organizations and
agencies that have supported our efforts to achieve a better life for our
citizens.
There are clear causes for concern in the international arena. However,
there are also reasons for hope. As the saying goes, life would be hard
indeed were it not for hope. The Security Council has become more harmonious,
which has enabled it to play a decisive role in solving international
disputes. It is no coincidence that we have seen the United Nations achieving
more in the past two years in terms of the number of peace-keeping operations
than it had been able to achieve over several decades.
Proceeding from this, can we dream that all the peoples of the world will
soon get a taste of peace in view of the steps taken to reverse the arms race
and limit armaments? We now see the parties to conflicts increasingly opting
for dialogue and reconciliation. This should create a favourable atmosphere
to end all conflicts.
Nevertheless, all these shining signs of hope along the path of progress
will not be enough for the realization of peoples' aspirations for more
freedom, independence and prosperity unless they go hand in hand with a
serious commitment to justice.
It would be no exaggeration to cite as an example the case of the
Palestinian people, who continue to be deprived of their right to
self-determination and independence while their sole legitimate
representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), continues to be
excluded and its national uprising is still being repressed.
Our welcome for the Madrid Conference and the negotiating process that
emanated from it last autumn stemmed from our hopes for peace in the region.
However, we make no secret of the fact that we are concerned at the course
those negotiations are now taking. While the previous Government of Israel
resorted to stalling and prevarication and had an "anti" position so far as
any land concessions were concerned, Israel now has an administration that
claims willingness for dialogue. Therefore, we hope that cooperation between
this new administration and the peace-loving forces will lead to a
comprehensive and definitive solution to a problem that has been with us for
far too long and which has overtaxed a people which wants nothing but to
achieve its rights to independence and peace. We believe the only solution is
withdrawal by Israel from all the Arab-occupied territories, foremost among
which is the Holy City of Al-Quds, adherence by Israel to the agreed
international obligations and principles and implementation by Israel of the
resolutions of this Organization.
While on the subject of the Middle East and the hope that international
legality may have the upper hand and put an end to the long suffering of the
peoples of that area, we reaffirm our rejection of any attempt that aims at
undermining the territorial integrity of Iraq and its independence as well as
any action that may jeopardize the safety, security or independence of Kuwait.
While we support fully the sisterly country of the United Arab Emirates,
in its demands regarding its legitimate rights over the island of Abu Mousa,
we wish to express surprise at the actions of Iran in this respect and call
upon Iran to deal with this problem in accordance with the agreements between
the two countries within a context of good-neighbourliness, mutual respect and
brotherliness.
The achievement of the unity between the countries of the Arab Maghreb,
which we have the honour of chairing this year, is a hope that all the peoples
of the area look forward to in order for them to achieve their aspirations
after integration, prosperity and development. An important area such as
this, with more than 60 million inhabitants, coasts from the Mediterranean to
the Atlantic, rich economic resources and a position that makes it a
geographic and cultural bridge between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, should
get enough support from the United Nations to remove all the obstacles that
impede its development and progress.
It is no exaggeration to state that all the Arab Maghreb has been hurt by
the blockage imposed against Libya. In view of the fact that Libya has
declared its full readiness to cooperate with the United Nations and in view
of the constructive proposals contained in the Arab League's decision 5092 of
12 September 1992, we hope the international community will show understanding
for this fair position and reach a solution that will satisfy all and spare
the Maghreb problems it can do without.
In the Western Sahara, the United Nations, in coordination with the
Organization of African Unity, continues to deploy efforts which aim at
overcoming obstacles in the field so that suspicion may not replace the early
optimism that prevailed in the area in the wake of the signing of the
cease-fire agreement on 6 September 1991.
We are determined to continue efforts that would lead our Moroccan and
Sahraoui brethren to a permanent peace that, no doubt, will be a vital factor
in building the Arab Maghreb.
The resumption of diplomatic relations between Mauritania and Senegal
last April, the resumption of daily flights between the two countries and the
opening of borders indicate the turning of a new leaf in the relations of the
two countries. The resumption of cooperation between our two peoples is proof
that the leaders of both countries are determined to put behind them this
painful era in order for the two countries to focus on winning the battle for
development.
The last Nouakchott summit which brought together the leaders of Mali,
Senegal and Mauritania with the aim of achieving the goals of the organization
of the investment of the Senegal river, was a model to be followed in the area
of common African action.
In South Africa, the road to the establishment of a real non-racial
democratic system is still full of obstacles despite the progress achieved
over the past two years. The most dangerous obstacle is the violence that, in
five years, has claimed the lives of thousands of people. Consequently, the
international community should remain vigilant until the objectives of the
United Nations declaration of 14 December 1989 have been achieved in full.
Despite the tragedies and evils and atrocities that sadden the heart in
Somalia, there are still hearts that are full of goodness. In this context,
we must express gratitude to those who have helped Somalia and have made every
effort to ensure arrival of their humanitarian assistance to it in the face of
considerable difficulties. To all those I extend the thanks of my country and
I appeal to our brethren in Somalia to let reason reign, put the national
interest first and try to resolve their problems democratically, by dialogue.
In Latin America, as in Asia, we have seen how democratic development and
dialogue have helped to solve many thorny problems and disputes. Two years
after resolving the question of Nicaragua, peace reigns in El Salvador.
The most important event in Afghanistan was the accession to power by the
Mujahideen after a long devastating war. Our recognition of the new
authorities in Afghanistan was an expression of our satisfaction with this
development. We hope that Afghanistan, after the return of its sons, will be
able to overcome factional strife and, thereby, embark on a much needed
process of national reconstruction.
We reiterate our support for the Paris Agreements on Cambodia, which
commit all political factions to work for peace in that country. We regret
the delay in implementing some of the items of those Agreements, and feel that
a careful study should be made of the reasons behind such delay with a view to
determining the type of measures that would enable the United Nations
Transitional Authority in Cambodia to discharge their task as fully as
possible.
There is no doubt that accession by the two Koreas to the membership of
the United Nations is an event that justifies the hope that Korea will be
unified eventually by peaceful means, through dialogue and consultation.
The United Nations stands today at an important crossroads. The
Organization must regain its prestige in order for it to be able to rise to
the many challenges posed by the international changes on the horizon. In
this context, the reorganization of the Secretariat would enable us to find
the right instrument to face up to those coming challenges in which the
question of development should be paramount. We have great hopes that this
new era will create an appropriate atmosphere for new, more equitable and
democratic international relations. Nothing can help achieve these
aspirations of all peoples and nations more than justice and democracy.