Belgium, 2006

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.