Benin

I should like first of all, Mr. President, to tell you how pleased the Benin delegation is to see you presiding over this session of the General Assembly. This is an honour for all of Africa, and especially your country, with which Benin has age-old ties of friendship and, still more, of fraternity. At a time when, more than ever before, the United Nations is called upon to act in the interests of peace and the well-being of mankind, this election is acknowledgement by the international community not only of the dedication of Côte d’Ivoire to the cause of peace and prosperity but also of your personal qualities as a seasoned diplomat. Benin is proud to see a distinguished representative of a country from the subregion of West Africa assume this important responsibility, and can assure you, Sir, of the cooperation and support of its delegation - and here we wish also to congratulate the other members of the General Committee. I would be remiss if I did not align myself, with great emotion and pleasure, with what His Excellency Mr. Konan Bédié, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire said, that in your election we can already see that Africa is resisting marginalization. I should also like to pay tribute to your eminent predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Samuel Insanally of Guyana, who assumed with such great competence and skill the presidency of our Assembly at its forty-eighth session. He has left an indelible mark on this world Organization through his personal contribution to our efforts at revitalizing the General Assembly, restructuring the Security Council and resuming development. On behalf of the people and the Government of Benin, I should like to pay a most deserved tribute to the United Nations and its Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros- Ghali, for the intensive activities they have been carrying out for peace and development for all peoples, especially at this time when armed conflict, ethnic clashes and tribal warfare distort the basic values of mankind. I should also like to welcome the granting to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta of Observer status at the United Nations. Since our last session, positive developments have taken place in the settlement of internal, local and regional conflicts that have caused upheavals in the international arena. I would mention, among others, the emergence of a new South Africa, one that is united, democratic and non-racial, where each person can at last enjoy full citizenship. Benin hails once again the courage and determination of the South African people - courage and determination that have enabled all humanity to win this historic victory, one of dialogue over confrontation and of peace over violence. Our Organization, which is proud of its contribution, must see to it the consolidation of the policy of unity and national reconciliation and reconstruction pursued by President Nelson Mandela, whose wisdom and clear- sightedness are equalled only by the historic dimensions of the man himself. In Mozambique, our most cherished wish is for a continuation of the process of reconciliation currently under way until the final holding in October of free and democratic elections in that country, stricken by so many years of civil war. Similarly, we express the hope that in Angola the negotiations under way between the Angolan Government and UNITA might lead to an effective cease-fire and to the establishment of a lasting peace, which are absolute prerequisites for reconciliation and national reconstruction. With regard to the question of Palestine, we welcome the positive and irreversible developments towards a just and lasting settlement since the historic signing, between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel, of the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho. In the same context, the Benin delegation would encourage Israel and the Arab States to continue to improve their relations through cooperation and mutual understanding for the establishment of lasting peace in the Middle East. As regards the situation between Kuwait and Iraq, it is important, in the interest of security and stability in the Gulf, that Iraq confirm clearly, and without ambiguity, its recognition of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and the international borders of Kuwait by agreeing, among other things, to Security Council resolution 833 (1993). Other conflicts are now in the process of being settled elsewhere, for example in Cambodia and Central 31 America, where praiseworthy efforts are under way with a view to the gradual and definitive normalization of the political situation. In spite of these encouraging facts, we regret to note that the persistent activities of forces for fragmentation and disintegration are hindering the achievement of peace in certain parts of the world. In this context, we should point out, inter alia, the very alarming situation in Somalia, where military intransigence and political intolerance are to no avail prolonging human suffering, jeopardizing the lives of the staff of United Nations peace-keeping and peacemaking operations, and provoking some irritation within the international community, whose valuable contribution to a peaceful and lasting settlement is absolutely necessary. It is time for the protagonists, on whom an acceptable solution to their conflicts depends, to show good will and flexibility. We deplore the fact that in Liberia, in spite of the considerable efforts made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), supported by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and by the United Nations, the implementation of the Cotonou agreement has been carried out only begrudgingly. Six months after taking office on 7 March 1994, the National Transitional Government has not yet managed effectively to extend its authority to the entire country, whereas the disarmament and demobilization process is practically suspended. Since a return to normalcy in Liberia is absolutely necessary for the continuation of the programme of economic integration of the subregion of West Africa, my country urges the Liberian parties to abide by the Cotonou agreement so as to speed the return of the country to normalcy. Once again Benin encourages the international community to maintain and increase financial assistance so as to enable the ECOWAS Military Observer Group, expanded by troops from Uganda and Tanzania, to fully discharge its mandate. With regard to Rwanda, ravaged by a war reminiscent of another age, Benin joins in the indignation expressed by the international community by condemning most vigorously the massive and systematic violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law. We welcome the humanitarian activities and good offices of the United Nations, of the OAU, of France, of the United States of America, of the African countries, and particularly those of the subregion, as well as those of non-governmental organizations in coming to the assistance of refugees and helping to initiate a dialogue among Rwandans. The delegation of Benin is convinced that any lasting national reconciliation in Rwanda must be based on the Arusha agreement of 4 August 1993 in order to maximize the opportunities to rebuild the country. But in order to avoid a repetition of the Rwandan holocaust elsewhere, we should support efforts to identify those guilty of abuses, whoever they may be, so that they might answer for their crimes against humanity. In neighbouring Burundi, most recently torn by armed clashes, the return to a precarious calm and the agreement for a government that was recently signed by the parties to the conflict bear witness to a new awareness on the part of that fraternal people, the fate of whom had been of great concern to all peace- and freedom-loving men and women throughout the world. We urge them most earnestly to continue along this path so as to consolidate their unity and cohesion. Furthermore, the international community has followed very closely recent developments in the situation in Haiti. In fact, on the basis of Security Council 940 (1994), the United States Government showed firmness and intelligence by forcing the Port-au-Prince dictators to agree to give up the power they seized three years ago. Benin exhorts the United Nations, the Organization of American States and the United States of America to unite their efforts to bring about the effective reinstatement of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the peaceful restoration of democracy in Haiti. The Republic of Benin is prepared, within its modest resources, to make its contribution to the triumph of peace and democracy in Haiti. In Europe - specifically in Bosnia and Herzegovina - it is to be regretted that the Serbs have rejected the latest peace plan of the Contact Group, which offered them 49 per cent of the Bosnian territory. We will welcome the agreement by the Belgrade authorities to deploy United Nations forces along their country’s borders and to enforce the international arms embargo. Faced with the intransigence of the Bosnian Serbs, the international community should take over the protection and defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia, so as to avoid any spread of this interminable conflict, which has already been exacerbated by the hateful practice of "ethnic cleansing". 32 Following the collapse of ideologies, the role of the United Nations in world affairs is and remains essential. We should avoid any weakening of its ability effectively and efficiently to promote peace, as this would do great harm to its credibility. The revitalization, restructuring and democratization of the United Nations must continue in order to increase its efficiency in carrying out the work it has undertaken. This, for example, should be the case for the Security Council, which has the responsibility of acting on behalf of Member States for the maintenance of international peace and security. Its legitimacy, its credibility and its effectiveness will be strengthened if we are able to take steps to enlarge it and change the composition of its membership so as to reflect the increase in the number of States Members of this world Organization. Aware of the fact that, in this new context, the Security Council cannot remain as it was designed and created a half-century ago, the delegation of Benin is in favour of a patient search for consensus on all issues pertaining to its reform. The production, international transfer and accumulation of arms are a threat to peace and stability the world over. This is why the international community’s commitment to peace requires the firm determination to make real progress in the process of general and complete disarmament under international control. In the area of conflict prevention and crisis management, we must strengthen the capabilities of the United Nations and support the idea of good offices and of preventive diplomacy as advocated by the Secretary-General in the Agenda for Peace. Respect for the principle of the sovereignty of States could hinder the implementation of this approach. Indeed, crises or conflicts today are for the most part internal in nature - civil wars, territorial partitions, ethnic clashes, religious or tribal struggles, and so forth. But these crises and conflicts can also threaten international peace and security. Hence there is a balance to be struck between intervention and respect for the sovereignty of States. In this context, we shall continue to encourage close cooperation with regional organizations, pursuant to Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Within Africa, there is already in place a mechanism for preventing, managing and settling conflicts which makes the development and strengthening of such cooperation possible. I would also mention, as part of regional contributions to global efforts for peace, the conclusions reached by the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation in the South Atlantic, held in Brasilia on 21 and 22 September 1994. We can never emphasize enough the close relationship between peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development. And we should be pleased that our Organization offers a proper framework for the achievement of consensus on this relationship. The Declaration and Programme of Action of the important World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in 1993 prove that the international community is determined to face up to these non-military threats to peace and security the world over. Economic and social issues are of concern today to the entire world and raise moral issues among politicians, Governments and representatives of civilian society. The end of the cold war, far from ironing out difficulties, has further widened the gap between the developed and the developing countries. The developed and the developing countries must work together and understand one another if there is to be progress and, especially, peace for all. There are many social and economic problems facing the world, and we must attack these ills at their very roots. The preparations for the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the United Nations, and the major conferences it has organized since 1994, provide us with an opportunity to better deal with the major problems that are undermining and marring today’s world. Above and beyond general political declarations, promises unkept and wishes unfulfilled, all the actors in the international community must by common agreement draw up concrete, effective and immediate solutions that will allow us to avoid chaos in the developing countries, in particular in Africa and in the least developed countries. Otherwise, our expectations for the beginning of the twenty-first century will not be met. None the less, there is room for hope when we remember that the Assembly, in resolution 47/181 of 22 December 1992, asked the Secretary-General to submit to it a report on an agenda for development, after consulting with Member States. The drafting of this agenda, to be adopted during the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, will be a clear declaration of the right to development and a reorientation 33 of the objectives and priorities of the United Nations system towards socio-economic activities and programmes designed first and foremost to eliminate poverty and then to develop human resources through education, training, the creation of productive employment, and social integration. It is thus possible to change the current situation and to reverse the process of impoverishment, aggravated by economic stagnation. The agenda for development will usefully complement Agenda 21 and the Agenda for Peace in the quest for sustainable development. Our vision of the twenty-first century and our prospects for the future should be illuminated and strengthened by the effective implementation of the various programmes and plans of action adopted since the beginning of this decade within the framework of the United Nations system. I would like to cite, as examples, the Plan of Action for children, the Programme of Action for the least developed countries in the 1990s, and the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s (UN-NADAF). While the implementation of the first two programmes has already begun and we will already be able to take stock of them a mid-term review in 1995, UN-NADAF is still in its infancy. Indeed, there has been no concrete action, no funding for projects and no commitment of financial resources since the adoption of the new programme in December 1991 by the General Assembly. Furthermore, the planned resumed session to continue and complete negotiations on the draft resolution to create a diversification fund for African commodities has remained wishful thinking - for want, we are told, of a president to lead the debates and to conclude the work - and all this, in spite of the efforts made by the President of last year’s General Assembly session. None the less, we welcome the conclusions and recommendations of the second part of the thirty-fourth session of the Committee for Programme and Coordination on a revised, system-wide plan of action for economic recovery and development in Africa. But we need not limit ourselves to establishing a closer relationship between a system-wide plan and UN- NADAF or to determining the priority sectors to be the focal points of action carried out thanks to the cooperation of United Nations bodies for the remaining period of the plan’s implementation. In addition to the present resources, we must mobilize supplementary resources for the effective implementation of the activities and programmes involved. The economic and social crises that today are causing upheaval in Africa have highlighted the challenges to be taken up by that continent in order to make progress along the path of development. To cope with these crises, most of our countries have undertaken far-reaching political and economic reforms. In Benin, we are continuing our march forward to make sure that our democratic process - begun almost five years ago - takes root and that our national economy is consolidated. In spite of substantial efforts and sacrifices, our political and economic structures remain fragile and vulnerable. Furthermore, taking up the challenges of the 1990s in Africa necessarily means finding rapid and lasting solutions to problems linked to foreign indebtedness, seeking an inflow of new financial and other resources to meet the growing development needs, ensuring the transfer of new and appropriate technology; and promoting a truly open and equitable system of international trade, as well as encouraging the diversification and modernization of African economies. As regards external debt, the developed countries will have to exert clear and resolute political determination by pursuing a policy of cancelling outright the official debt of the African and least developed countries; by deciding, in the managing boards of the multilateral financial institutions, to reduce by 50 per cent the multilateral debt of the developing countries, particularly of the African and least developed countries; and by negotiating with the banking institutions a rescheduling of commercial debt. We remain convinced that these initiatives are within the scope of the Governments of the developed countries and can be implemented in a demonstration that the world is changing. With regard to international trade, the mixed results for Africa of the negotiations of the Uruguay Round give us little hope that, within the framework of international trade, our countries will soon emerge from the marginalization in which they have existed since the late 1980s. As in all previous rounds of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the Uruguay Round led to the elimination of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. But the common estimates of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development show that the overall result of this eighth round of negotiations will only benefit the industrial countries. For 34 Africa, for example, the OECD studies predict losses of over $2 billion by the year 2002, not to mention the fact that the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific that are linked to the European Union by the Lomé Convention risk losing certain advantages they have enjoyed until now. Furthermore, the results of the negotiations of the Uruguay Round are making the developing countries, particularly those of Africa, dependent on food products imported from developed countries, whereas the objective of the current strategies is to ensure food security in Africa. In such circumstances, Benin earnestly hopes that the first action taken by the World Trade Organization will be to close the loopholes of the negotiated text by making bold decisions and recommendations on behalf of Africa and thereby correcting drawbacks foreseen from the outset. The decisions and recommendations of the Earth Summit will, as they are implemented, gradually become solid landmarks for current and future generations in the building of a society that, thanks to the achievement of sustainable development, will not run the risk of self- destruction. In this framework, Benin welcomes the adoption on 6 May 1994 in Barbados of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. Benin also welcomes the conclusion in Paris on 17 June of the International Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa. We hope that this Convention and the regional Annex for implementation in Africa will serve as a basis for a new contract between Governments, donors and local populations in their efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought. This new contract must be reflected in firm and precise commitments of financial resources and the transfer of ecologically sound technology. If it is not, we will find ourselves in the same unfortunate situation that led, because of a lack of sufficient resources and the poor management of those allocated, to the non-implementation of the results of the United Nations Conference on Desertification held in Nairobi in 1977. Benin therefore appeals to all States to attend the signing ceremony for the Convention on 14 and 15 October in Paris. The curtain has barely dropped on the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development, which marks the birth of a new process for population and development strategies. The intensity of debate during the Conference was commensurate with the importance of the issue. In order to meet the challenge of the development to which countries throughout the world aspire, we must set our children and women, who represent the majority of the populations of our countries, along the road to progress, which requires information, education and training. The work of the preparatory committees for important United Nations conferences being organized at the moment - especially the World Summit for Social Development, the Fourth World Conference on Women, the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the entry into force on 16 November 1994 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, completed last July with the agreement on Part XI - will strengthen the positive trend clearly expressed during earlier negotiations. Nevertheless, the life-giving flame fed by the spirit of Rio de Janeiro might go out if intellectual efforts are not complemented by a mobilization of new and addition financial resources to carry out all the activities planned. The World Summit for Social Development will bring together for the first time Heads of State or Government in order to take decisions on social development. Benin believes that the declaration and programme of action to be adopted in Copenhagen in March 1995 should not be limited to acknowledging and accepting the fact that Africa is the continent facing the greatest number of social problems. These two documents should be a reference point that clearly defines concrete measures, an implementation schedule and the estimated costs of activities aimed at eliminating poverty and creating productive employment and social integration. Benin suggests that the Copenhagen Summit recommend the proclamation of an international decade for the eradication of poverty, which would be the continuation of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty adopted under General Assembly resolution 48/183. The new international situation calls for strengthening, democratizing and rationalizing the activities of the United Nations, and it is up to us the Member States to make an outstanding contribution in the pursuit of the noble objectives of peace, justice and development. We feel that this is possible if all Member States respect the obligations incumbent upon them under the Charter. 35 The delegation of Benin is convinced that our current deliberations will be guided by a common determination to take concerted and concrete steps best suited to the necessity of maintaining peace and promoting prosperity throughout the world. In particular, this will require a rejection of indecisiveness and self-absorption.