Mozambique

On behalf of my Government and on my own behalf, allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your unanimous election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty- second session. Your election to this office bears testimony to your commitment to the cause of international peace and security. I am sure that with your guidance and wide experience in international affairs, our work will record a successful outcome. You can rest assured of my delegation’s full support during your term of office. I would also like to put on record our appreciation of the manner in which your predecessor, Ambassador Razali Ismail of Malaysia, presided over the deliberations of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. His performance and innovative ideas will indeed help us tackle the challenges before our Organization in the years to come. Let me pay a well-deserved tribute to the Secretary- General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his leadership and the commitment to the ideals of international peace and security demonstrated in his first year of office. I wish him well and pledge our full support and cooperation as he discharges his responsibilities in our Organization in times of change. Within two days, Mozambique will celebrate five years of peace and stability. Looking back, albeit to see the challenges we have encountered, our nation has, without a doubt, made significant progress in its quest for the consolidation of peace and tranquillity, democracy and development, and we are determined further to pursue these goals. In the political sphere, we have succeeded in creating an enabling environment in which political discussions are being carried out positively both in Parliament and by civil society at large. As we deepen this positive experience within the framework of a pluralistic society, there is broad consensus among all Mozambicans that dialogue must continue to be the way to overcome differences and to address the development needs of our country. To this end, my Government will spare no effort in order to ensure that Parliament continues to function normally, for we believe that this course of action remains a key factor for the consolidation of peace, democracy and national reconciliation. The next step will be to hold the country’s first municipal elections, which will complement the process initiated in 1994 with the holding of multi-party general elections. The implementation of the structural adjustment programme initiated in 1987 has indeed created an attractive environment for private investment, both domestic and foreign, which is gradually and steadily leading the country to economic and social progress. It is within this multidisciplinary and global action that economic reforms are taking place, with results that are already positive and tangible. Preliminary indications of the performance of the economy during the first half of 1997 estimate that growth in gross domestic product will reach about 7 per cent by the end of this year, a figure which is higher than that originally forecast. In speaking on this very important subject I would like to underscore the high importance we attach to the need for flexibility with respect to the implementation of initiatives for debt relief and sustainability. My Government is encouraged by recent indications from international financial institutions concerning the impending decision on the eligibility of Mozambique to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative. I would hope that once such a decision is made the time- frame between the decision point and the completion point might be as short as possible so as to have the desired impact on the economy. Without far-reaching debt relief measures, it will be virtually impossible for the country to sustain the current growth and stabilization of the economy. We hope that as soon as possible all least developed countries may accede to the Initiative. In this regard, my Government welcomes the recent admission of Russia to both the Group of 8 and the Paris Club. It is our hope that those steps will enable that country to play a more active and constructive role in matters related to debt forgiveness and relief, particularly 10 in relation to countries like Mozambique. For our part, we will continue to undertake and deepen further our political and economic reforms, as we have over the past 10 years, with particular emphasis on the provision of basic health care and education. The rehabilitation of the economic and social fabrics, especially in the rural areas, is seriously hampered by the scourge of landmines. These horrible weapons have killed and continue to kill and wound hundreds of innocent citizens. With that in mind, at the fourth International Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations on Landmines, which met at Maputo in February of this year, my Government approved a resolution that prohibits, with immediate effect, the production, commercialization, utilization and non-authorized transportation of anti- personnel landmines in the territory of Mozambique. My Government has been participating fully in the negotiations within the framework of the Ottawa process. In this respect, we welcome the results achieved at the recently concluded Oslo Diplomatic Conference. We urge all countries to heed the call of the peoples of the world and to join the majority of nations in signing the international treaty on the total ban of anti-personnel landmines in December this year. We wish to launch a vigorous appeal to the international community to ensure that all the provisions of that treaty with respect to, inter alia, the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines and those laid within minefields and in areas outside minefields, and with respect to international cooperation and assistance, are fully implemented. In this respect, I wish to highlight the importance my Government attaches to the question of assistance to victims of landmines before, during and following mine clearance, in order to ensure the early and safe return and resettlement of displaced persons with a view to ensuring a speedy resumption of economic activity, in particular in rural areas. I would like to express our deep gratitude to those countries and organizations that are providing generous assistance in demining activities, and invite others to join us in implementing our national demining programme. In August this year, the Government and civil society jointly launched a national campaign for the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which will take place on 10 December 1998. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with which my country fully associates itself, represents the commitment by all peoples of the world to their faith in human dignity. The nationwide celebrations, encompassing a variety of activities, will afford a unique opportunity to all Mozambicans — and, indeed, to other peoples elsewhere — to review and educate themselves on such an important issue for mankind. It will be an opportunity to underscore the importance of the non- selectivity, indivisibility and universality of human rights. Within that framework, my Government follows with keen attention the progress being made in the Preparatory Committee on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court. The establishment of such a court, with the purpose of bringing to justice individuals accused of committing the most heinous crimes, is an important contribution to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The court must be entrusted with clear powers in order fully to discharge its mandate. In particular, its competence and jurisdiction should be clearly defined in conformity with its objectives and taking into account the principle of complementarity. In the African continent, we are participating in discussions for the establishment of an African court of human and peoples’ rights. It is our hope that the high- level meeting scheduled for next year at Addis Ababa will succeed in finding the needed consensus on all outstanding issues pertaining to the court. In the past 12 months, the issue of United Nations reforms has gained new impetus with new developments which have taken place quite recently. It is a fact that there is a broad consensus with regard to the need for such reforms. Nevertheless, in carrying them out it will be important to find ways and means that will ensure that the legitimate rights and aspirations of all Member States, and in particular the developing countries, are safeguarded. This is particularly relevant with respect to the proposals for the enlargement of the Security Council. Similarly, my Government has taken due note of and welcomes the reform package presented by the Secretary- General in his report entitled “Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for Reform”. The report, the most comprehensive and far-reaching ever produced in the annals of the Organization, addresses vital elements that require in-depth discussion by Member States. As a country striving to strengthen peace and security both within its borders and in the regional context, as well as in the world as a whole, Mozambique regards preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and post- conflict peace-building as important elements that must be 11 strengthened in the new international context. In this connection, we are participating with other countries of the region in joint efforts aimed at reinforcing our preparedness for emergencies. We therefore encourage and support the Secretary-General in his endeavours to enable the United Nations to deploy peacekeeping operations rapidly. In the field of human rights, I welcome the proposed consolidation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre for Human Rights into a single new Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. I commend the Secretary- General for this course of action, which is in line with the sentiments expressed by Member States not only in the General Assembly but also within the framework of the Commission on Human Rights. The merging of the two bodies will in fact eliminate the duplication of tasks and expenditures and streamline the work of the new, consolidated body. On behalf of my Government, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs. Mary Robinson on her assumption of the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights. We pledge to her our full support, both within the context of the Commission on Human Rights, of which Mozambique is a member, and also within the context of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. With respect to financing our Organization, I fully agree with the Secretary-General that the current financial crisis facing us “is directly linked to the failure of ... Member States to discharge their ... obligations regarding prompt and full payment of assessed ... contributions”. [A/51/950, para. 82] We would really hope that the very same countries that so far have failed to fulfil their treaty obligations, will this time not only pay their dues but also assist the Secretary- General by contributing to the proposed Revolving Credit Fund. I equally commend the proposed establishment of a development account resulting from reductions in non- programme costs over the next few years. We regard the establishment of such an account as an important contribution in addressing the economic and social needs of developing countries on a more consistent and predictable basis. We also endorse the proposed establishment of the post of Deputy Secretary-General within the framework of strengthening the leadership capacity of the Secretariat. The creation of a Strategic Planing Unit, in our view, will further enhance the ability of the Secretary- General to act in accordance with the provisions of the Article 99 of the Charter. In the light of the new realities, it is our firm belief that the information gathered by this Unit will be brought to the attention not only of that body but also of the General Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 10 and 11 of the Charter. As for the proposed establishment of the “UN House” under a single United Nations flag, it is important to ensure that the identity and the vast individual and unique experience — as well as the expertise — accumulated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are preserved. More significantly, the need for decentralization and flexibility in decision-making at the country level should be safeguarded and further enhanced so as to ensure that everyone benefits from the proposed consolidation. It is my Government’s hope that the new arrangement will result in a united, cooperative and coherent framework at the country level. The experience of coordination of all of the United Nations programmes and funds in Mozambique is positive and encouraging. We have taken due note of the proposal for the establishment of a ministerial-level commission to examine possible changes in the Charter with a view to preparing our Organization for the challenges of the next century. Given the complexity of the issues to be looked at, the commission should be established on the basis of geographic representation, after adequate consultations, and should be provided with clear and precise terms of reference in order to guarantee that its views are universal and as consensual as possible. It is our hope that the proposed reforms — those being implemented within the purview of the Secretary- General, as well as the ones under discussion in the Working Group — will result in greater focus of the United Nations in the economic and social spheres. Now that we have gathered consensus on an Agenda for Development, we need to ensure that appropriate steps are taken by a reformed, more efficient United Nations to realize our goals. 12 The trends towards the establishment of regional and continental blocs require deep cooperation and integrated economies. Only combined unity of purpose and action can lend greater leverage and capacity to negotiate and make economies competitive for investment. This must be complemented by political stability and an enabling environment for domestic and foreign investment. We in southern Africa are joining our efforts towards this goal within the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). These efforts will be further enhanced to a great extent by the recently established Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). The new organization assembles a variety of countries from Asia and Africa, plus Australia. Its fundamental principles include the facilitation and promotion of economic cooperation, bringing together representatives of government, business and academia. My Government follows with renewed interest the efforts towards the mitigation of conflicts throughout the world. We are conscious of the fact that economic and social development are possible only when we live in peace and political stability. Therefore, prevention, management and conflict resolution constitute a fundamental issue in our foreign policy. In this regard, I wish to associate myself with previous speakers in congratulating most sincerely the establishment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following decades of uncertainty. We hope that the new authorities will play a positive role in our collective efforts for regional peace and stability, particularly in the Great Lakes region. The challenges facing the new Government are indeed immense and deserve assistance and support from the international community. Likewise, we commend the successful outcome of the electoral process in Liberia, which symbolizes the completion of the peace process in that country. We look forward to the reinvigoration of a united, peaceful and prosperous country which is ready to contribute to the effort towards the economic stabilization of the entire region. It is our hope that the international community will spare no efforts in assisting Liberia to overcome the tragedy that has fallen on it for so many years. The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) deserves our special commendation for the role it has played in the resolution of the Liberian crisis and for its current efforts in the restoration of peace and respect for the rule of law in Sierra Leone. We equally note with satisfaction the recent progress made for the settlement of the issue of Western Sahara, and we encourage the parties concerned to continue down this positive path. The peace process in Angola continues to face serious challenges as a result of the failure of UNITA to comply fully with the agreed commitments under the Lusaka Protocol. With the recent adoption of Security Council resolution 1130 (1997), it is now for this body to ensure that the provisions of all other relevant resolutions are fully complied with in order to bring the peace process back on track and to avoid the continued delays we have been witnessing over the three years of the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol. On the other hand, my Government remains concerned about the situation in the Congo. We support the initiative of the heads of State and Government of the region under the leadership of His Excellency President Bongo, and we call upon the parties to exercise maximum restraint in order not to jeopardize any further those efforts. All parties concerned must set aside their differences and work together for the attainment of a negotiated settlement to prevent further suffering of innocent civilians and destruction of property. Recent events in the Comoros islands underline the need for full respect of the independence and territorial integrity of all States, under any circumstances. We encourage permanent dialogue among all concerned parties so as to find a negotiated settlement of the dispute within the framework of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) peace initiatives. On behalf of my Government, I would like to express our solidarity to the people of East Timor. We do hope that the ongoing negotiations between Portugal and Indonesia under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and other initiatives, will finally lead to a successful outcome of this issue in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter. On the Middle East, my Government notes with concern the deterioration of the security situation in that 13 area, which poses great danger to the efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution in the region. Peace cannot be achieved at the expense of other peoples’ interests. The policy of establishing new settlements in the occupied Arab and Palestinian territories should be discontinued. As we have said before, the existence of both Israel and Palestine is an undeniable reality which nobody should ignore if we are to reach a final settlement of this long-standing conflict. Dialogue and compliance with security Council and General Assembly resolutions are the instruments through which a solution should be found in the Middle East. We are also following with interest the developments concerning the conflict situations in the Persian Gulf region. In the highest interests of its peoples, we urge all the parties concerned to act together with a view to finding an internationally acceptable solution to all outstanding issues, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter. At the dawn of the new millennium, we bear the responsibility of preparing the United Nations to save not only succeeding generations from the scourge of war but also to provide an Organization that will effectively and efficiently promote cooperation and development. We in Mozambique are prepared to work towards this goal.