Bahrain, 1995

At the outset I have pleasure in extending to

Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral and to his friendly country,

Portugal, my sincere congratulations on his election as

President of the General Assembly for this session, which

marks the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, when

the Organization is celebrating its golden jubilee. In

wishing Mr. Freitas do Amaral success in conducting the

proceedings of this session, I assure him of my delegation’s

readiness to cooperate fully with him towards achieving the

desired objectives.

I should like also to take this opportunity to express

my thanks and appreciation to Mr. Freitas do Amaral’s

predecessor, Mr. Amara Essy, for his dedicated and sincere

efforts in guiding the proceedings of the last session.

It is also a pleasure to express my deep appreciation

to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his

tireless efforts to enhance the international Organization’s

standing and role and to enable it to carry out its great

responsibilities and tasks.

The United Nations was established 50 years ago

with the purpose of becoming the effective means of

saving humanity from the scourge of war which had

plagued the century. The Organization was also designed

to serve as a mechanism aimed at developing a new

international order based on justice and equality for all

and the promotion of human and cultural interaction

amongst the world’s various peoples in the framework of

a secure international community.

States and peoples, in their desire for security,

stability and cooperation, supported the principles

enshrined in the Charter, including those which call for

ensuring the sovereign equality of and mutual respect

between States, refraining from the threat or use of force,

entrenching the principles of settling disputes by peaceful

means, respecting every State’s territorial integrity, and

refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of others.

Guided by these principles, the United Nations has

achieved numerous accomplishments at the political,

economic and social levels. Many nations and peoples,

with the support of the United Nations, have been able to

achieve political independence, attain their legitimate

rights and implement development programmes.

The 50 year experience of the United Nations

embodies profound indications of the future of a changing

world in which the enormous interacting developments

have not yet reached the limit. The most prominent

among those signs is, perhaps, the end of the era of

confrontation between East and West at a time when the

human race is on the threshold of a new century. The

profound significance of these developments is that the

prevailing political climate has given rise to a situation

that favours the correcting of certain trends in

international relations and their development in a manner

that takes into account the new circumstances and

changes in several regions of the world.

In the context of these historical premises, world

Powers have been concerned that changes might lead

them to proceed in disparate directions which, it was

feared, would make it difficult for the international

community to check the unrestrained pace of the changes

so engendered and control their effects on world peace

and security. Thus it becomes essential to develop a

balancing strategy for joint international action, especially

now that interdependence and multilateralism must form

the basis of cooperation in international relations.

18

This political reality was given expression on 31

January 1992, when the Security Council — for the first

time — held a meeting at the level of Heads of State and

Government. The Council then requested the Secretary-

General to prepare a report containing analyses and

recommendations concerning ways of enhancing and

strengthening the capabilities of the United Nations in the

areas of preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace-

keeping. Recently, on the occasion of the fiftieth

anniversary of the United Nations, the Secretary-General

has submitted the important “Supplement to An Agenda

for Peace'”, in which he set out his views and thoughts as

a contribution to the continuous drive to enhance the

Organization’s capability to face up to threats to

international peace and security.

The significance of this new tendency was underscored

during the United Nations Conference on Environment and

Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and its Rio

Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21

as well as in many other important international

conventions relating to development and the environment.

It was further confirmed during the International

Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo

last year. Both the World Summit for Social Development,

held in Copenhagen, and the Fourth World Conference on

Women, held recently in Beijing, confirmed the principle of

interdependence and recognized its importance.

These world conferences and meetings have made the

United Nations a global forum for the international politics

of multilateralism. Efforts are now being directed towards

addressing the problems of the future, such as

environmental pollution and population explosion, in

addition to economic and social crises and other dilemmas

of a universal character.

This increasing tendency to act in accordance with the

principles of interdependence and multilateralism is

undoubtedly a positive one that is in consonance with the

purposes of the Charter. However, certain aspects of the

current international situation raise a number of

fundamental questions concerning the role of the United

Nations and its influence on the current developments on

the international scene which serve as pointers to the shape

of future relations between States.

Such questioning includes, for example: How will the

Organization steer a course amid the new features of the

modern political topography which is changing due to

incessant strategic changes of international policies? How

will the major Powers identify the role of the United

Nations in the area of interdependence and international

multilateralism? And how will they deal with crises in

areas of high tension around the world?

It is obvious that such questioning has to do, in

essence, with two fundamental issues. The first is the

future of collective security, as envisioned in the Charter,

for the remaining part of this century and during the next

century. The second is the mechanism for international

economic and social cooperation to which the major

industrial States will agree.

A search into the legacy of the United Nations

during half a century leads us to say that these two issues

will constitute the major characteristics of international

relations in the twenty-first century. The problem of the

realpolitik policies pursued by the Powers that influence

the formulation of international relations is that they do

not seem to be in harmony with the principle of collective

security. The problem of international economic and

social cooperation lies in the fact that the concepts of

economic and social development held by the wealthy

industrialized countries are at variance with those of the

developing countries vis-à-vis the economic and social

aspects of development issues. In our view, this difference

of outlook creates obstacles that not only impede the

implementation and development of international

cooperation but also affect the manner in which economic

and social problems are dealt with.

The two issues of collective security and

international economic and social cooperation should be

accorded an increasing importance since they embody the

solid foundation of stability and progress in a world that

is in a state of flux. The need to attach such importance

to those two issues arises from the fact that, for over 50

years, the international community has not been able to

reach consensus on how to put into practice the principle

of collective security in line with the vision of the

Charter. In so far as international economic and social

cooperation is concerned, the North-South dialogue has

not led to any positive result in over three decades.

Given this fact, the world has to evolve new

perceptions on how to address the issues of collective

security and international economic and social cooperation

in the context of a practical perspective that takes into

account the new changes that have taken place in the

world.

In our view, it is possible, once the international

community musters the necessary political will, to put

19

into practice important aspects of the principle of collective

security along the following lines:

The creation of a mechanism that meets on a regular

basis within the framework of the Security Council to

monitor and detect threats to world peace and security.

The development and better use of the mechanisms of

preventive diplomacy in preventing, containing or

pre-empting conflicts before they develop into serious

hostilities.

The development, in all seriousness, of the ideas and

concepts embodied in Chapter VII of the Charter, in the

light of the international community’s experience, to

become the basis of dealing with aggression as it arises.

The utilization of the capabilities of regional

organizations in the context of United Nations cooperation

with such organizations in the maintenance of world peace

and security.

As regards international economic and social

cooperation, this too requires the existence of the political

will, especially on the part of the wealthy industrialized

countries, to create an equitable global economic

environment that may contribute to the achievement of

stability and prosperity for all States and peoples.

We believe that the gap which exists, in the areas of

economic growth and social advancement, between the

wealthy industrialized countries, with their enormous

economic resources, and the developing countries, is among

the most chronic and significant problems that face the

international community.

Regrettably, the commitments to implement the

development policies and strategies agreed upon in the

United Nations with a view to narrowing that gap have not

been honoured. It goes without saying that the United

Nations will not be able to discharge its mandate in an

environment fraught with disparities, because the poverty,

unemployment and lack of productive employment that are

rampant throughout the world are negative factors in the

area of development. Proceeding from its awareness of this

reality, the United Nations has convened the World Summit

on Social Development in Copenhagen to address the

urgent and serious issues of social development that face

mankind. We believe that the implementation of the

policies set out in the Summit’s Declaration and

Programme of Action should take place within the context

of the religious principles, national legislation, customs

and traditions of every State.

It is essential at this stage to reopen the dialogue

within the United Nations system between developed and

developing countries concerning all development matters,

on the basis of the commitments set out in the

Declaration on International Economic Cooperation and

the International Development Strategy for the Fourth

United Nations Development Decade. To that end, a new

and practical development plan has to be adopted with a

view to ensuring compliance with the decisions of the

various United Nations development conferences, so that

the desired objectives of those decisions may be achieved.

We are convinced that international cooperation

could be enhanced and strengthened through the adoption

of policies leading to the activation of the United Nations

role in the area of economic and social cooperation by

means of addressing such world problems as development

and environment. Also, world trade mechanisms should

be developed in accordance with the common interests of

States and in an equitable manner that takes into account

the requirements of development and the economic

problems of the developing countries, accords due

attention to the socio-political aspects of the economic

problems that beset those countries and aims at

consolidating the foundations of their economic security.

Notwithstanding its accomplishments, on the one

hand, and, on the other, the obstacles and failures it has

encountered for reasons beyond its control, the United

Nations now finds itself facing a new challenge. This new

challenge forces it to deal with crises and problems

caused by ethnic, national and even religious and cultural

conflicts and clashes between parties that belonged to

States and territories which had originally been unified in

accordance with agreements reached in the wake of this

century’s wars.

In view of the tense regional and international

atmosphere caused by the eruption of those heretofore

dormant volcanoes and the ensuing changes brought about

by such eruption, it has become essential to enhance the

role of the United Nations and provide it with the

necessary means of dealing effectively with such crises

and resolving them before they develop into devastating

wars between the sons of this or that country such as

those we now witness in Afghanistan, Somalia, the

Balkans and other parts of the world where peoples are

suffering destruction and destitution.

20

In addition to the new issues that the United Nations

now faces in the wake of the cold war, there is a host of

regional and international questions that continue to be

cause for concern and require the attention of our

Organization. Top of the list is the situation in the Gulf

region which, in the recent past, witnessed two destructive

wars whose consequences continue to affect adversely the

region’s political and economic conditions and to jeopardize

its security and stability. Proceeding from our eagerness to

preserve security and stability in this vital region of the

world, we call upon all parties to pay heed to its

importance as an area where international interests criss-

cross and as an area of strategic importance to world trade.

In the light of these facts, we stress the need for Iraq

to comply with Security Council resolutions concerning the

State of Kuwait and the release of Kuwaiti and other

prisoners of war and detainees. While we call upon Iraq to

respond fully to the behests of international legality, we

must voice our concern over the territorial integrity,

sovereignty and unity of Iraq which must be preserved and

express sympathy with the brotherly Iraqi people who

endure difficult economic and social conditions that should

end once their causes cease to exist.

The persistence of the dispute between the United

Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran over the

question of sovereignty over the islands of Abu Mousa,

Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb is regrettable in view of its

adverse effects on the Gulf region’s security and stability.

Consequently, Bahrain calls upon the Islamic Republic

of Iran to respond to the United Arab Emirates call to seek

a solution to the question of the islands through serious

bilateral talks, or by any of the other peaceful means that

are available for the settlement of disputes between States

by mutual consent.

The Middle East has embarked on a new historical

phase wherein optimism holds sway with the adoption of

the principle of negotiation and respect for law as a means

to settle disputes between States instead of war, violence

and occupation of territories by force. The peace process in

the Middle East has taken significant steps since the historic

Washington meeting 13 September 1993, which resulted in

the signing of the Agreement on Principles between the

Palestinians and Israel. It was followed by the signing of

the Peace Treaty between Jordan and Israel on 26 October

1994 and the signing of the second phase of the Agreement

of Principles on the expansion of Palestinian self-rule

between the Palestinians and Israel in Washington on 28

September 1995. The sparkle of optimism that has glittered

on the horizon should not be allowed to die out as a

result of the Israeli settlement policies that aim at

changing the demography of the occupied Arab territories,

particularly Al-Quds, in order to create a new reality.

Bahrain welcomes these steps and reaffirms its

support for the Middle East peace process. It also

supports the endeavours and efforts that aim at reaching

a just, comprehensive and durable solution based on the

principle of land for peace as well as Security Council

resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). Proceeding from

this, Bahrain reaffirms its support for the position taken

by the Syrian Arab Republic regarding the restoration of

its full sovereignty over its territories in the Syrian Golan

that has been occupied since 1967. It is also important

that the peace process should be reactivated on the

Lebanese track and that Israel should be compelled to

comply with Security Council resolution 425 (1978). For

if peace is to prevail, it should include all parties without

exception.

We appeal to all the parties involved in the dispute

in Somalia to allow the creation of a secure climate that

is conducive to the continuation of political efforts and

humanitarian activities. Such continuation depends on the

cooperation of those parties and on their adherence to the

principle of dialogue and understanding in order to

achieve a political settlement that would ensure the

restoration of peace, security and stability to this sister

nation.

The State of Bahrain has, from the beginning,

followed with utmost attention and deepest concern the

situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with all the

human tragedies and injustices resulting from the policies

of aggression and criminal acts, including killings,

deportations and ethnic cleansing, committed by the Serb

aggressors against the people of Bosnia. The crisis has

taken several turns and twists and has been accompanied

by political moves by regional and international parties

that have almost deprived the international community of

credibility.

Bahrain has supported all United Nations resolutions

relating to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has endorsed all

the efforts and initiatives undertaken by the United

Nations, as well as other organizations and all those who

desire peace and uphold justice.

As the Serbs have gone too far in their aggression

and in defying the will of the international community in

pursuit of their expansionist and aggressive schemes that

21

have been exposed to all and rejected by all, we see a ray

of light on the horizon which gives cause for hope that, at

long last, a solution for this human tragedy may be at hand

and might finally redeem the international community’s

silence over the plight of the Bosnian people.

Bahrain supports the positive developments that are

taking place now in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It calls upon

the international community and the Security Council to

maintain pressure on the Serb aggressors towards

compliance with United Nations resolutions and accepting

a just and equitable solution for all parties. In particular,

the solution should be just and equitable for the Republic

of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose people have suffered

material losses and have been subjected to inhuman

suffering as a result of the occupation of parts of their

territories.

While we voice deep concern over the ongoing

conflict in Afghanistan, we should like to call upon the

parties involved in the conflict to resort to reason and logic

and, thereby, reach a cease-fire and work for peace,

stability and national reconciliation.

The United Nations has deployed continuous efforts

over the past few years towards the settlement of the

Cyprus problem. In this connection, we should like to

reiterate our support for the efforts of the Secretary-General

that aim at reaching a just resolution of the problem in

accordance with the provisions of the relevant Security

Council resolutions.

Bahrain, having supported the Treaty on the Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the objectives

thereof,is of the opinion that the Treaty, being an

instrument of international peace and security, should apply

universally with no exceptions or special considerations.

We should like, meanwhile, to stress the need for upholding

the Treaty, adherence to its provisions and pursuit of its

objectives. Bahrain views Security Council resolution 984

(1995), despite the limited nature of the guarantees it

embodies, as a first positive step towards security

guarantees that are applicable to all, for States which do not

possess nuclear weapons.

Bahrain supported the initiative of making the Middle

East a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass

destruction on the basis of its belief in the importance of

peace, security and confidence building amongst all States

of the region. It has also endorsed the resolution adopted by

the conference of the parties to the NPT and the arms

limitations Treaty, despite its shortcomings. We are

confident that a Middle East zone free of nuclear and

weapons of mass destruction would enhance the peace

process and lead to a situation wherein enormous

financial resources would be saved and channelled

towards the economic prosperity and social development

of the peoples of the region.

Regional cooperation has become one of the

necessities of our modern world in view of the

intertwined interests of the peoples of the world. It is thus

a complementary part of, rather than a substitute for

international cooperation. It serves today as an effective

means for the promotion of economic prosperity and

mutual understanding with a view to establishing strong

relations based on mutual trust, good-neighbourliness and

non-interference in the internal affairs of others.

The Arab Gulf States have long recognized the

importance of regional cooperation amongst them in

enabling them to face the imminent risks that beset the

region. More than 15 years ago, they established the Gulf

Cooperation Council with a view to reinvigorating Gulf

joint action and strengthening the historical and brotherly

ties between the Gulf States on the basis of the unity of

objectives and a common destiny. The Council’s march

has witnessed positive developments in the fields of

coordination and cooperation amongst its member States.

The resolutions of the fifteenth summit which Bahrain

had the honour of hosting and presiding over have

strengthened this march. The summit had historic

significance in that it addressed crucial Gulf issues by

adopting resolutions that reaffirmed the determination to

widen the scope of cooperation, to surmount obstacles and

to settle all outstanding matters within the Council and

the unified Gulf family. Brotherly and friendly States

have welcomed these steps and expressed the hope that

the same spirit would apply to all issues so that all the

States and peoples of the region may reap the benefits of

security, stability and prosperity.

The Governments of the States members of the

Council have undertaken to continue to promote all

aspects of cooperation between their States and with other

economic groups, to look forward positively to the

prospects of future work and to develop strategic visions

that take into consideration the interests and priorities of

the other members of the Council and those of other

States in the interests of peace, security and stability in

the region and in the world at large.

The strengthening of the United Nations role and

increasing its capabilities and effectiveness require the

22

developing of its bodies, including the Security Council, the

organ concerned with international peace and security. The

need to develop the work of the Council has become an

important issue that has the unanimous support of Member

States in view of the current international changes. We

believe that such development should reflect the equitable

geographic representation of all regional groups in order to

increase the effectiveness and level of efficiency of the

Organization and to achieve balance in the Council, so that

its membership may be representative of the world’s

different cultures. As member of this international

Organization, Bahrain looks forward to participating in the

work of the Council during the period of its membership

scheduled for 1998-1999.

We all aspire after a world of security, cooperation

and peace. Our international Organization, equipped as it is

with its membership’s intellectual and cultural values and

with the high principles and noble objectives enshrined in

its Charter, is quite capable of satisfying this aspiration.

However, in order for the United Nations to do so, we, its

Members, must give the Organization our full support on

the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary so that it may

achieve in our behalf what we all desire, namely, justice

and peace.