On behalf of the Government and people
of Papua New Guinea, I congratulate you, Sir, on your election as President of the
forty-fifth session of the General Assembly. I am confident that with your able
leadership and guidance the Assembly will deal with its work in a positive and
constructive manner. I also wish to place on record my country's appreciation of
the contribution made by your predecessor, Major-General Joseph Garba of Nigeria,
to the work of the Assembly last year.
We acknowledge that the world of today is highly volatile and interdependent,
and the need for an organization such as the United Nations is more important today
than ever before. New challenges are now being faced within the framework of the
United Nations system. The United Nations, we believe, provide the appropriate
forum ,or the international community to solve problems through consultation and
dialogue, without the need to resort to violence. The achievements, over the
years, of the United Nations system are commendable, particularly in the areas of
disarmament, decolonisation, the environment, economic development, social justice and the maintenance of world peace. The United Nations can contribute further to
international stability and social harmony, but this can occur only through
goodwill and with the tolerance and understanding of all member nations. Papua New
Guinea is committed to the United Nations and what it represents, and will continue
to play its part in achieving world peace and harmony.
Complex problems and challenges continue to face us this year, but the
Assembly is convening at a time of great hope, a time of profound changes in
relationships between nations. We have witnessed a marked improvement in East-West
relations, particularly between the Super-Powers. The era of the cold war is
vanishing, bringing hope, opportunity and, for some, uncertainty. Massive shifts
in the world political order will invariably be reflected in changing economic
relationships.
We acknowledge with satisfaction the comprehensive report by the
Secretary-General, particularly with regard to the United Nations involvement in
the achievement of independence for Namibia and progress in negotiations for
peaceful settlements of regional conflicts in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Western
Sahara, Central America, South Africa and, more recently, the Persian Gulf. The
report also addresses other pressing issues such as human rights, drugs,
disarmament, the environment, trade, finance and debt servicing.
Although major conflicts and tensions may appear to be peripheral to us in the
South Pacific, we are not immune to their effects. We feel their impact on our
economy, our international obligations, and our moral convictions.
I speak today in full awareness of the international media publicity, both
positive and adverse, that Papua New Guinea has attracted over the past two years.
The increased activity in our petroleum and mining sectors, the closure of the
Bougainville copper mine in May last year and the subsequent unrest in that
province of our country have focused attention on Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately
for Papua New Guinea, the Bougainville and law-and-order crises have tended to
attract more attention than the many positive developments taking place in the
country. Like many developing countries we have our share of problems, and we are
addressing them with energy and determination. Initiatives have been taken by my
government to promote economic growth, to further develop education and training
opportunities, particularly in tertiary and technical areas, and to generate
employment and income opportunities. At the same time. we are developing the
capacity of the public service and strengthening law-enforcement agencies.
As a result of the closure of Bougainville mine, my government, with the help
of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international and
national aid agencies, has developed an integrated structural adjustment programme
to assist Papua New Guinea through a difficult series of short-term problems.
Among other things, the programme will ensure that major resources are
progressively developed for the benefit of the country and its people.
A first round of negotiations with Bougainville leaders produced an accord and
the basis for the restoration of services by the national Government to that
troubled island. My Government is committed to continued peaceful dialogue with
the people of Bougainville that together we can achieve an amicable settlement
of the crisis and a return to normalcy.
The South Pacific Community is made up predominantly of small, island States,
scattered throughout a vast ocean. For a long time our interests and well-being
have been accorded the lowest priority by world military and economic Powers. We
are vitally concerned about our region. Like others, we in the Pacific wish to
develop under conditions of peace and security. Most Pacific nations depend on a
small number of agricultural and marine products for their livelihood and export
income. For these reasons we concluded the South Pacific Nuclear-Free-Zone Treaty,
The Convention for the Protection and Development of the Natural Resources and
Environment of the South Pacific region, and the Convention for the Prohibition of
Drift-net Fishing in the South Pacific. We therefore strongly deplore nuclear
activities and the dumping of toxic waste , which threaten our fragile ecosystems.
We also view with deep concern wanton exploitation of our resources.
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the historic Declaration on the
Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. It also ushers in the
International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. Papua New Guinea urges
that the progress of decolonisation should be accelerated and strengthened as part
of the present favourable disposition surrounding the work of the United Nations.
We are pleased that positive measures are continually being pursued in New
Caledonia by the French authorities to provide a framework for a peaceful evolution
of the Territory towards an act of self-determination and independence. We urge
that any act of self-determination should be consistent with United Nations
principles and practices, and that all options, including independence, should be open.
In order that a well-informed decision may be made, the Administering Authority and
others should further expand their assistance for education and training, in
particular for the Kanak population. New Caledonia is on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the United Nations to continue to
monitor developments in New Caledonia. It is our express hope that the Administering Authority will facilitate regular visits to New Caledonia by inviting visiting missions of the United Nations.
Apart from New Caledonia, there are other Pacific islands still under the
shackles of colonialism. It is our hope that the Administering Authorities
concerned will accord genuine self-determination to these countries.
We in the Pacific have always been aware of the importance of protecting the
environment. Indeed, the cultural and physical survival of many of our countries
depends on the proper management of that environment. The Convention for the
protection and Development of the Natural Resources and Environment of the South
Pacific Region, to which I referred earlier, is a clear indication of the
importance we attach to this issue.
We are greatly concerned that, in spite of ominous warnings about the future
of this Earth, expected climatic changes and predictions of dramatic rises in the
levels of the sea, gases responsible for the greenhouse effect continue to be
emitted without strict regulation. It is our fervent hope that countries, particularly industrialized countries, will effect significant cuts in the emission of greenhouse gases, including the establishment of obligatory emission reduction standards.
We continue to oppose the disposal of toxic waste at sea unless it conforms
with standards Prescribed under the London dumping convention.
The United States has taken stringent precautions in destroying chemical
weapons on Johnston atoll. We take little comfort in suggestions that Johnston
atoll should be the permanent disposal site for the American chemical weapons
destruction programme. We urge the United States not to use the facility as a
permanent site for the disposal of chemical weapons and toxic waste, and I express
our firm belief that it should be closed done once the current operations have been
completed. We will also continue strongly to oppose French nuclear testing at
Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls.
Pacific islanders have close affinity to the sea, and their dependence upon
its resources needs no emphasis. Papua New Guinea is, therefore, pleased with the
progress made on the elimination of driftnet fishing.
We welcome the decision taken by Japan to cease drift netting a year in advance
of the date stipulated in resolution 441225. We urge the Government of Japan and
other distant water fishing nations to enter into negotiations with us on acceptable
arrangements.
Papua New Guinea's desire to participate meaningfully in the resolution of
regional problems brings us into regular interaction with member countries of the
Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN has taken many important
initiatives, particularly in the South-East Asian region, which we have fully
supported.
We would like to acknowledge with satisfaction the leading role that both the
Soviet Union and the United States have played, in recent years, to reduce tensions
in the world. Their efforts and those of other States in the United Nations
Security Council deserve our full support. Papua New Guinea is aware that progress
made in the search for solutions to problems in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Western
Sahara, the Middle East, the Korean peninsula and southern Africa is directly
related to the convergence of views between the super-Powers and the permanent
members of the Security Council.
Papua new Guinea welcomes the announcement by Viet Nam to withdraw its troops
completely from Cambodia. we commend the efforts of the ASEAN group of countries, Australia and the United Nations Security Council, in devising the united formula for the resolution of the Cambodian problem. Papua New Guinea believes that United
nations involvement is necessary in order to ensure free and fair elections in Cambodia.
In the Korean peninsula, my Government looks forward to the re-unification of
North and South Korea. We support initiatives by both nations to reach a peaceful
re-unification of Korean people, and urge them to continue on the path of
reconciliation. In the same time, we support the admission of both North and South
Korea to the United Nations as full Members. We believe this will facilitate
dialogue and hasten the re-Unification process.
The question of northern Sahara appears to be nearing resolution. The
Secretary-General's settlement proposals, announced on 11 August 1988, offer the
chance to resolve this thorny issue once and for all. Members of the United
Nations have a responsibility to see that the people of Western Sahara are able to
exercise their right to self-determination. Thus, the organization and the
supervision of a referendum by the United Nations in co-operation with the
Organization of African Unity must be allowed to take place.
The situation in the Middle East continues to cause us grave concern. My
Government has always maintained that the Palestinians have a right to a homeland,
just as much as Israel has a right to exist within secure borders. These two
conditions appear to be prerequisites if a lasting solution to this problem is to
be achieved.
We have strongly condemned the use of force as a means of solving
disputes and, in this context, Papua New Guinea continues to be alarmed at and
condemn Iraq's invasion and continued occupation of Kuwait since 2 August 1990.
As a member of the United Nations, my Government is committed to supporting the
trade and economic embargo against Iraq sponsored by the United Nations Security
Council. We urge all members of this Assembly to continue to co-operate in seeking
a peaceful solution to this crisis.
My Government believes strongly that international pressure and sanctions have
resulted in the gradual dismantling of the apartheid system. Developments in South
Africa offer reason for guarded optimism. After years of oppression and injustice,
the creation of a genuine non-racial democracy may at last be a real possibility.
We have a continuing responsibility to encourage the process of reconciliation and
democratic reconstruction.
We are saddened by the recent riots in the black townships involving the rival
groups of the African National Congress (ANC) and Zulu Inkatha movements, which
have left so many people dead. It is our firm conviction that sanctions should be
continued until apartheid is completely dismantled.
Papua pew Guinea applauds the achievement of Namibia's independence and
commends all patties who were involved in this exercise.
There are many changes taking place in the world economy today. The move
towards a single-market Europe in 1992, regional initiatives such as the
Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Group and the shift by Eastern European countries towards market-oriented economies have serious implications for developing countries.
The continuing global economic recession have had a considerable adverse impact
on the economic and social well-bring of all nations. Inflation, high interest
rates, a change-rate instability, rising unemployment, slow growth and
protectionism have all taken their toll on our national economies.
On a positive side, Eastern Europe's economic transition could offer new
opportunities for developing economies through increased demand for their
commodities. We believe that closer co-operation between developed and developing countries
now are more important than ever. The benefits from new markets in Eastern Europe need to be evenly shared if open trading relations are to be
maintained. The possible harmful impact on the financial resources available to the developing world must be minimised.
The formation of the Asia-Pacific economic co-operation group is intended to
develop closer co-operation between countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and also
to accommodate developments taking place in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
The Lome IV Convention, which was signed on 15 December 1989, contains new concepts and ideas, which make it different from the three preceding arrangements.
Lome IV contains increased financial packages for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific
(ACP) countries, and includes now provisions for structural adjustments and
assistance to ACP countries facing severe balance-of-payments difficulties.
It is of considerable importance to ACP countries that the levels of
development assistance agreed to in Lome IV remain unaffected by the opening up of
Eastern Europe's wider contacts in the rest of the world. Any adjustment or restructuring of the world trading and financial system must not adversely affect the position of the developing countries. The shifting of focus as well as the
diversion of financial resources for developed countries to Eastern Europe, would
greatly disadvantage the economies of the developing countries, whose claims to a more equitable distribution of the world's resources have been outstanding for decades.
It is important that an open world trading system be maintained if economic prosperity is to be distributed fairly.
A strengthened general Agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) is essential if
we are to provide a stable framework for the expansion of trade, and to make
possible the full integration of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as developing
countries, into the global economy. we believe that the highest priority on the
international economic agenda is the need for a successful outcome to the Uruguay
Round of talks at the end of this year. Difficult political decisions will have to
be taken in order to achieve far-reaching and substantive results from all the
items to be discussed at the Uruguay round.
The remarkable political and economic changes that are taking place between
the super-powers in respect of Central and Eastern Europe, and those that are
taking place in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and elsewhere, point to
the emergence of a new world order , with shifting alliances and economic groupings.
Papua New Guinea is confident that the United Nations will address these issues and
devise measures that will allow member States to cope with the uncertainties that
lie ahead.
We continue to support the United Nations in its unique role in the resolution
of conflict, and in the building of a strong framework for international
co-operation. Over the years we have supported the work of the United Nations
because we believe it to be vital to the continuing development of a peaceful and
prosperous world community.
Finally, we assure you, Mr. President, and the Secretary-General of our
continued support for efforts to maintain end develop the work of the United Nations.