Spain

It is always a special opportunity for the leader of his country to speak to this General Assembly. My speech will be brief and may be summed up at the very outset in very few words as follows: I am speaking to you as the President of a European democratic country involved in sustainable development. My compatriots especially value the existence of freedom and respect for the law as factors for progress in Spain. We think these two values, freedom in all areas of life and compliance with the law comprise the best recipe for progress among peoples. The last twenty-five years of progress in my country have fortunately coincided with the change in the millennium. Freedom of opinion, peaceful political choice and the broadening of fundamental rights have become values which enhance us. Of course, this has not been accomplished without effort and risks along the way. However, I now have the satisfaction of speaking of that progress. The culture of community upon which this democracy is based is openly expressed by the Spanish people of the Iberian Peninsula and we are celebrating this during the commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of our Constitution. We are an open country, trusted throughout the world, and we wish the same principles and situation for others. The determination to increase freedom throughout the world and the concern to ensure that laws of the international community are complied with are values that guide our international policies. We share this position with many countries present here. The world would be a better place if the rules we make for ourselves are complied with and if those who breach them know that their non-compliance will not prevail. The United Nations embodies international legality. Compliance with its resolutions is in the interest of all. This is the best way to build a world in keeping with law rather than tyranny, with freedom rather than oppression. It is probably for this purpose that the Security Council and the Organization require reform. Without doubt, this is a complex issue and we support efforts being made in this connection by the Secretary- General. In any case, we bear in mind that increasing the number of Security Council Members will not necessarily increase the effectiveness of the Council. But above all, the United Nations needs its own Members to respect its resolutions. A resolute effort on the part of all countries is necessary to ensure a more secure, yet freer world. Although violations of Security Council resolutions exist, all of us must ensure that the resolutions are complied with. All of us must lend a hand because it is in the interest of all for the ideals of the United Nations to become a reality. Thus, we are committed to security, stability and the reconstruction of Iraq. We also are committed to returning sovereignty to the Iraqi people. We spare no effort and do not wish to dwell on the past. We believe that successful results in Iraq will be due to the efforts of the entire international community. We think that the pledging conference to be held in Spain on 23 and 24 October will be a big stride. I would like, from this rostrum, to invite all of you to participate in that conference. Allow me to present some more concrete ideas. Our efforts must be directed towards restoring the sovereignty of the Iraqi people in a way which will enable them to freely enjoy their own resources. For that purpose there should be an agreement reached to establish a multinational force with the clear mandate of guaranteeing peace and security. Given the situation today in Iraq with its high risk of terrorism, this task cannot be entrusted to a mere interposed force, but rather to one that will specifically ensure peace, security and stability. An additional agreement on the civil administration of Iraqi resources and public services for the people would be easier to obtain after that. I am referring to a civil administration directed by the United Nations with the participation of the new leaders who would be representing a peaceful and pluralistic Iraq. 37 Peace, security and freedom have always had enemies and we cannot close our eyes where such threats exist. We have been the victims of blind terrorist violence in this Organization. We cannot forget that vile and cowardly attack in Iraq by which terrorists hoped to expel the United Nations from Iraq and close it off from the world. The States who flout international law are threatening what is dearest to us, our lives and our freedom. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction would be even more dangerous. I firmly believe that commitment and true cooperation between all States will make it possible to win victory over terror. Last May, Members of the Security Council shared some considerations concerning the fight against terrorism to which I refer now. We will continue to work on preparing a list of terrorist organizations — things should be called by their proper names — and there should be no political or moral quarter given to assassins. Our priorities must be set. We will shut down the sources of financial support to terrorists and will prevent their access to weapons of mass destruction. The treaties on disarmament with regard to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons will help with this task. To prevent and intercept the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, a group of countries has implemented the Proliferation Security Initiative whose first meeting took place in Madrid last June. I invite you also to join that Initiative. We would like to give a voice to the victims of terrorism and for this, three things are required. We must restore truth, regain dignity and pay tribute to the victims of terrorism. If terrorists have sometimes used public tribunals, it is a moral necessity to give an institutional forum to the victims where they can be heard. We must unmask the terrorists and truly listen to the victims. It has been rightly said, Sir, that the United Nations has not been established to create paradise in the world, but rather to keep the world from falling into an abyss. There is no paradise on earth. Efforts are being made to ensure that the world will be freer and more peaceful and to distance us from the abyss, efforts which make it possible for this Organization to make its lofty ideas a reality. It is hoped that no effort will be spared in this undertaking.