Allow
me first to express the pleasure of the Algerian
delegation in seeing an illustrious son of a
neighbouring and brother country presiding over our
work. I would like to assure you of Algeria’s sincere
and active support in the fulfilment of your mandate. I
would also like to pay heartfelt homage to your
predecessor, Father d’Escoto, for the skill he has
demonstrated, his moral probity and his full
commitment to multilateralism, based on the principles
and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.
I would also like to express our gratitude to
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his wise and
enlightened conduct of the work of the Organization
and the initiatives he consistently deploys to reinforce
the role of the United Nations and affirm its moral
authority.
This year, once again, the global economic crisis
is at the heart of the general debate of the session. The
world has had time to measure the scope and gravity of
this crisis. It is not yet time to take stock, since we
know now that this is neither a short-term economic
crisis nor the bursting of a bubble such as the capitalist
system has seen in the past. The world has realized that
the crisis is that of a system governed by the rules of
globalization, just as it has had to face the fact that any
serious and lasting solution to this crisis will come
about through courageous and concerted decisions.
Such decisions must be aimed at promoting global
economic governance based on standards of
responsibility, equity, solidarity and progress:
governance that will be aimed at putting an end to
financial and commercial practices that are opaque,
iniquitous and unfair, and imposed on the rest of the
world in the name of free trade and its dubious
efficiency.
The lack of coherence and harmony in the
approach to the crisis is apparent from, inter alia, the
unfair treatment meted out to developing countries.
Why should the nations of the southern hemisphere be
forced to bear the burden of a crisis they are not
responsible for? Multilateral institutions, also
undermined by contradictions and a lack of coherence,
are unable to overcome impasses in negotiations on
vital questions that have a direct impact on our
populations.
This is the case, for instance, with the
negotiations on a treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol
on climate change. Here is an area where displaying a
spirit of compromise and solidarity is clearly in the
interest of every country. And yet the positions of
developed countries continue to be motivated by
narrow national interests while the very survival of
mankind is at stake.
It is also the case with the fundamental aims of
non-proliferation and disarmament, which remain
hostage to political double standards, discriminatory
practices and non-compliance with commitments made,
particularly on the part of certain nuclear Powers.
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These practices have not spared the multilateral
negotiation frameworks, which nonetheless enjoy
legitimacy and the expertise necessary to realize
progress on the path to reinforcing the goals of
disarmament and non-proliferation. It is also the case
in the fight against impunity and violations of human
rights and international humanitarian law, which raises
the issue of exploitation of these noble causes for
political ends.
The question of human rights is addressed with a
selective approach, which casts suspicion even on
initiatives based on a sincere desire to ensure respect
for human dignity. This, too, is the case with
international cooperation in the struggle against
terrorism. The Algerian delegation believes that the
importance of the juridical weapon would be enhanced
by the adoption of the long-awaited global convention.
It is also convinced that constant adaptation of
approach is necessary in responding to this major
threat.
The African Union has undertaken not to pay
ransom to those who take hostages, and we support its
appeal to the United Nations to make this a universal
policy as rapidly as possible, given the threat that this
phenomenon poses to the security of our peoples and
the stability of our countries.
We hope that this Organization will be able to
realize substantial achievements in the area of reform,
whether in revitalizing the General Assembly,
reshaping the Security Council or strengthening the
role of the Economic and Social Council. Obviously, a
revitalized General Assembly, with a strengthened
mandate, will be better able to reach consensus on the
reform of the Security Council — a Security Council
that would reflect the legitimate aspirations of
developing countries, and those of Africa in particular,
with equitable representation, along with the quest for
new working methods more in line with the demands
of our times.
Algeria’s commitment to a policy of good
neighbourliness is demonstrated in particular through
the numerous initiatives and sincere efforts we have
deployed in partnership with our neighbours. We are
firmly convinced that preservation of peace, promotion
of development and respect for people’s rights are a
prerequisite for building a peaceful, united and
prosperous Arab Maghreb that is stable and fully
integrated.
Everyone knows the importance we attach to the
right of peoples to self-determination and the effort
that we have put into arriving at a just and lasting
solution to the conflict in Western Sahara. The United
Nations can always count on Algeria’s complete and
sincere support in every initiative aimed at settling this
dispute in accordance with the responsibilities that the
Organization has taken upon itself and in line with the
Charter of the United Nations.
We are fully committed to the cause of the
Palestinian people, and believe that current
developments pose a grave threat to peace and security
throughout the Middle East. The region will never
regain peace and stability without a just and lasting
settlement of the Palestinian problem, which lies at the
core of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is now obvious to
all that a satisfactory solution is impossible unless
credible and substantial pressure is applied to the
Israeli occupying forces with a view to compelling
them to put an end to their policies of provocation and
aggression against the Palestinian people, to keep their
promises and to respond favourably to all Arab peace
initiatives.
Algeria participates actively in the efforts of the
African countries to put an end to any conflict that
hampers their development and to achieve the political
and economic integration of the entire continent.
Establishment of the African Union has created a
respected and credible partner whose collaboration
with the United Nations has made possible visible
progress, especially through the significant reduction
of hotspots of tension on our continent.
I will end by reiterating our wish that the conduct
of our international affairs will be enhanced by the
effective and sincere commitment of the international
community to the task of renewing and reinforcing the
multilateral system.