Just
one year ago, our heads of State or Government
gathered in this Assembly and reaffirmed that peace,
security, development and human rights are closely
interlinked. They also reaffirmed their faith in
multilateralism and an international order based upon
the rule of law. The mandate they entrusted to us is
being implemented progressively. We have established
the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights
Council and adopted the Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy. Our expectations are high and we hope that
the results will meet them.
During the past year, we have witnessed a rebirth
of multilateralism, and I am happy about that. What
we, the Member States of the United Nations, do
together in a multilateral way will by definition enjoy
greater legitimacy. I have in mind in particular, the
recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon, a conflict
in which the Security Council fully assumed its
responsibilities — and of which the good offices of the
Secretary-General must eventually guarantee a lasting
political settlement.
Likewise, it is worth noting that international
dialogue, rather than the use of force, is again in the
foreground of multilateral diplomacy. Here I have in
mind the case of Iran: we must make every effort to
resolve the difficult nuclear issue while fully
respecting the principles of the Charter and the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
That being said, multilateralism, as I see it, is
neither a dogma nor a simple profession of faith.
Multilateralism is an instrument that should be judged
by its impact on world issues. In order to be effective,
it must deliver results. Only action can legitimize its
raison d’être.
Yesterday morning the President of Finland
addressed the General Assembly on behalf of the
European Union (see ). I entirely endorse
her statement. I will now address a few issues which
are of particular importance to Belgium.
The Middle East has just experienced one of the
worst crises in recent years. A military approach has
led to unacceptable sacrifices by civilians, both in
Lebanon and in Israel. In the face of such a crisis,
Belgium and its European partners have clearly
demonstrated their willingness to act and have
answered the successive appeals of the Secretary-
General. Belgium, for its part, has contributed to the
emergency fund to support the Lebanese Government’s
reconstruction projects. But above all, Belgium has
decided to participate in the reinforcement of the
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),
requested by Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
In the coming weeks, 400 Belgian Blue Helmets will
be deployed in southern Lebanon.
But the international community’s efforts must
not stop there. All elements of the Security Council
resolution must be urgently implemented. I salute the
efforts of the Secretary-General and of the States
involved, which have brought an end to the blockade.
The two kidnapped Israeli soldiers must also be
immediately released. Likewise, we have to work on a
solution for the release of the Lebanese prisoners in
Israel. And above all, the arms embargo must
effectively be implemented. Finally, the Lebanese
Government must fully exercise its sovereignty and its
control throughout its territory. It has our full support
in that process.
The implementation of Council resolution 1701
(2006) shows, moreover, that the European Union is
becoming more involved in the quest for a lasting
peace in the Middle East. That is a welcome
development.
We all agree that lasting peace is predicated on a
settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore
we must work on all measures which could rapidly
open a path towards the resumption of the dialogue, an
end to the hostilities, security guarantees for both
parties, the liberation of the abducted Israeli soldier,
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the release of the political leaders arrested during the
crisis, humanitarian access, the re-establishment of
basic services, a start to reconstruction and the transfer
of the tax and customs income due to the Palestinian
authorities.
We support the efforts of the President of the
Palestinian Authority to form a government of national
unity. Nevertheless, we will be attentive to the content
of its platform and to its response to the three
conditions set by the Quartet.
I share the assessment of the Secretary-General:
in the already tense environment of the Middle East,
the region can absolutely not afford a new major crisis.
Given the widespread and justified suspicion aroused
by the Iranian nuclear programme, I appeal to the sense
of responsibility of the Tehran authorities to respond
positively to the offers for negotiation made to them.
Iran is a great country, with an ancient and esteemed
civilization. That heritage, as well as its role in the
region, must encourage Iran to promote peace and
security and to rebuild confidence with its regional
partners, rather than isolating itself through useless
provocations. Iran must again take its place in the
community of nations and follow the rules that govern
international relations. Iran must comply with the
provisions of Security Council resolution 1696 (2006).
A first round of presidential elections and
legislative elections were recently held in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, thanks to the
combined efforts of the Congolese authorities, civil
society and the international community. It was quite a
challenge. The Congolese people voted in an orderly
fashion and in great numbers, and thereby
demonstrated a sense of public responsibility and a
desire to exercise their democratic rights.
I pay tribute to the United Nations Organization
Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(MONUC) for the positive role it played, assisted by
the European Union-led peacekeeping force (EUFOR),
in controlling the skirmishes that occurred at the end of
the first round. The electoral process now has to be
completed; there is no other option. Calm must return,
and the protagonists must commit themselves, in good
faith, to applying the rules of democracy. The
international community must continue to support the
process.
However, the elections are but a first step. Next,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo has to establish
solid and reliable institutions that are ready to shoulder
their responsibilities to the benefit of the people. The
potential resources of the Congo are enormous, and so
are the challenges ahead in the reconstruction of the
country. It is crucial that the new authorities
unambiguously demonstrate, their commitment to good
governance, both political and economic.
The international community has been a loyal
partner for the Congo during this transition. Its support
and collaboration, particularly through MONUC, will
remain paramount throughout the establishment of the
new institutions. I hope that the international
community will be able to continue a constructive
dialogue with the new Congolese authorities to the
benefit of peace, stability and development of the
Congo and of the region.
Following the democratic elections that ended the
transition period in Burundi took place, the people of
Burundi and the international community had high
hopes for the prospect of stability and development in
that country. That is why we welcomed the recent
ceasefire reached with the Forces Nationales de
Libération (FNL) movement. I fear, however, that
those hopes might be dashed. The Government’s
reactions towards the press and the opposition, as well
as its management of public affairs, have cast a shadow
over the evolution of the democratic process.
The Secretary-General himself expressed his
concerns very clearly about the situation in Burundi.
The development partners and the regional partners
share those concerns. All possible means must be used
to consolidate the democratic process in Burundi as
well as its development potential. Democracy must be
fully exercised, and responsible media, and a
responsible civil society, are key elements in that
respect. The rule of law must be strengthened, in the
interest and with the participation of all. From that
perspective, a dialogue with national political partners
is indispensable. The new Government has a vital role
in this respect. The new Peacebuilding Commission
will provide us with opportunities to hold a frank and
open dialogue on all these issues.
As all are aware, these days our Organization is
devoting greater attention to States emerging from
conflict that are in a period of transition. The danger of
new tensions in such still-fragile States is very real.
Free and democratic elections are important, but they
are only one part of the process of rebuilding the rule
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of law. We cannot lose sight of the way in which power
is really exercised. We must rebuild States so that they
are able to assume their responsibilities towards their
neighbours and their own peoples. They must be able
to defend their sovereignty and their borders without
threatening the stability of their partners; they must
have professional and loyal armies at their disposal;
and in such States, power must be exercised not to the
benefit of the few but to respond to the aspirations of
the people. Good governance should be at the centre of
the process.
Since the beginning of this year Belgium has held
the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a regional organization
under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United
Nations. Its principles and values are the same as those
of the United Nations. Its fields of action are very
similar and complementary; they include promotion of
human rights, democratization, protection of
minorities, conflict prevention, crisis management and
protection of the environment, not to mention dialogue
among civilizations, the combat against the
proliferation of small arms, and electoral monitoring.
The OSCE played a key role in maintaining the
relationship between the two parts of Europe divided
by the cold war. Since that time, the organization has
elaborated a number of norms, principles and
commitments that unite all its members, which
contributes to reinforcing their collective security.
One of the objectives of our chairmanship was to
strengthen the balance between the three dimensions of
the OSCE: political and military, economic, and
humanitarian. We have tried, where possible, to
establish in those areas synergies with the United
Nations, on issues such as the problems of landlocked
countries, combating organized crime and combating
terrorism. During its chairmanship, Belgium has
worked actively to contribute to a solution to so-called
frozen conflicts. But such solutions will be possible
only if can count on the genuine will of all parties
concerned to move forward.
Some of the criticisms levelled at the United
Nations are justified, and we must therefore pursue the
reform process, which must above all strengthen the
legitimacy, effectiveness and credibility of the United
Nations. Those criticisms should not minimize the
successes the United Nations has to its credit. Here I
am referring to the dramatic increase in the number of
peacekeeping operations.
On the other hand, poverty is decreasing
worldwide, thanks in particular to the dramatic
progress made in Asia. While the trend of increasing
poverty has not yet been reversed in sub-Saharan
Africa, the 2006 report on the Millennium
Development Goals stresses that many African
countries are now showing long-term growth potential
that could improve the standard of living of their
peoples.
I should like to take this opportunity to pay a very
sincere tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi
Annan. He has worked tirelessly, placing his political
and negotiating skills in the service of peace,
development and human rights. I wish to express my
deep gratitude for the dedication he has shown at the
helm of our Organization.