Cape Verde, 1996

It is with great

pleasure that I convey to you, Mr. President, my

congratulations on your election to guide the work of this

session of the General Assembly. At the same time I extend

congratulations to the country that you represent with such

distinction. Your outstanding qualities guarantee a

competent presidency, which will certainly contribute to the

success of our work.

I should also like to express my special appreciation

for the enlightened and committed leadership of your

predecessor, Mr. Freitas do Amaral, who, in the course of

the historic fiftieth session of the General Assembly, made

an undeniable contribution to the continued progress of the

United Nations.

I also take this opportunity to express the highest

appreciation of my delegation for the vision, initiative and

determination that have characterized the work of the

Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, in his

pursuit of the noble objectives of our Organization. It is

with pleasure that I reiterate here the support of my

country for his re-election.

Cape Verde, being a small developing country that

is particularly affected by drought and desertification, and

without any means of defence, has every reason to place

a great deal of hope in the success of the United Nations,

particularly with respect to the fulfilment of the principles

and the goals of its Charter, such as the promotion of

peace and security, social and economic development, the

protection and defence of the environment, human rights

and international law.

But small countries are not the only ones looking to

the United Nations with hope. In today’s world, when

interdependencies are increasing and globalization is

spreading to a growing number of sectors of humankind’s

activity, the existence and the work of our Organization

is becoming more and more indispensable to all nations

of the globe.

Governments are, in fact, more clearly aware of the

need for international forums in which, through

accommodation, they can reach consensus and decide on

global policies, strategies and actions that, increasingly,

are in the interests of the whole planet.

However, no institution apart from the United

Nations has the vocation or the capacity to respond to

those needs, since, to a large extent, it is the architect of

the international stage on which we are players today.

Under the auspices of the United Nations many results

have been achieved in the search for solutions to the

problems that afflict humankind. Spectacular progress has

allowed human beings to take giant steps in science and

technology. Nevertheless, there are still huge challenges to

overcome, so that the ideals of the founders of the United

Nations may triumph all over the face of the Earth.

In reality, for many people peace is still a dream, and

promises of the distribution of the dividends from the end

of the cold war have become an illusion. Malnutrition,

disease, illiteracy — the eternal partners of

underdevelopment — still overpower nations, preventing

them from developing to their full potential to the benefit

of their populations. Similarly, in many countries human

rights are flagrantly violated, women are marginalized, and

children fall victim to maltreatment and exploitation. In

other countries, ethnic groups are subject to persecution and

systematic “cleansing”.

At the same time, situations of tension, such as arms

and drug trafficking, the internationalization of organized

crime and an upsurge in terrorism, are becoming

generalized.

But it is necessary to bear in mind that such

phenomena, both because of their origin and impact, can be

fought efficiently only if there is a firm, unequivocal

commitment by all States to improve international

cooperation and better utilize resources within the

framework of the United Nations.

Cape Verde, due to its proximity to the Sahara desert,

is particularly affected by ecological problems, since, like

other countries of the Sahel, it faces continuous

environmental degradation, which threatens the very

survival of its population.

It is therefore natural for us to welcome with joy the

adoption and entry into force of the United Nations

Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries

Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification,

Particularly in Africa, in particular its Regional

Implementation Annex for Africa. The particular attention

paid to Africa is clearly justified. This continent is, without

the shadow of a doubt, the most affected by drought and

the most threatened by the advance of desertification. The

ecological balance of the African continent, one fourth of

the area of the planet, is crucial to stabilize the environment

as a whole.

For that reason, the efforts that need to be made to

prevent the desert from spreading must be shared by the

entire international community.

Cape Verde is therefore committed, together with

other countries, to establishing an international mechanism

with the aim of facilitating the implementation and

financing of the projects and programmes of the

aforementioned Convention. We stress the praiseworthy

action, at the subregional level, of the Permanent Inter-

State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel in

coordinating efforts to fight drought and desertification.

I should also like to underline the significant efforts

made in this area at the national level in Cape Verde. The

reforestation programme launched in the first years of my

country’s independence continues with the same vigour

20 years later, and the results achieved are encouraging.

Since the programme was launched, the area covered has

gone from 7,413 to nearly 181,275 acres. I must also

highlight the major support given by Cape Verde’s

development partners, without which it would not be

possible to maintain the reforestation programme at its

current pace, which is satisfactory to all.

In spite of the success of this programme and of the

efforts made, my country is still affected by the

devastating consequences of drought. In fact, due to the

lack of rainfall in July and the insufficient rain last

August and September, Cape Verde faces a year of crop

failure, which, once again, has given rise to anxiety and

distress among Cape Verde’s farmers.

Therefore, my Government will be forced, once

again, to make an unexpected effort to address the

consequences of such a situation, which, of course, will

have a negative impact on the development process.

We therefore urge international solidarity with the

people and Government of Cape Verde to help our

country overcome the current farming crisis and ensure

employment in the rural areas.

The world is seeing the gap widen between

industrialized countries and developing countries.

Economic globalization and the development of

information and communications technology highlight

existing differences. Restrictive immigration policies,

which are associated with the spread of racism and

xenophobia, are gathering speed day by day, which is

disturbing to us.

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Meanwhile, developing countries and, in particular, the

least developed, face the consequences of accelerated

population growth, which has direct repercussions on

unemployment.

The pursuit of full employment should be the top

priority of social and economic policies aimed at bringing

about development in order to provide all — men and

women — with the chance to ensure that their means of

subsistence are secure and long-lasting. Unfortunately, the

international community is still reluctant to assume its

responsibilities in such matters.

A heavy burden thus falls upon the developing

countries — the task of recovering from the delays

resulting from an economic order that has not been, and

still is not, in their favour.

This burden is even heavier in view of the inexorable

trend towards the reduction of financial flows to the least

developed countries, both in official development assistance

and foreign direct investment.

In this regard, the Agenda for Development, aimed at

supporting those countries in their efforts for recovery,

should make urgent demands with regard to international

cooperation for development. It should, at the same time,

reaffirm the right to development as a main concern of the

international community. The Agenda for Development

cannot be seen as a mere enunciation of principles, but

should be taken as a true charter of social and economic

goals, with the United Nations playing a key role in its

promotion and materialization.

In order to prepare the United Nations for the

challenges facing humankind as we approach the end of the

century, we are committed to improving of the Organization

by promoting and undertaking reforms with the aim of

strengthening it and empowering it so that it is better able

to fulfil the objectives of its Charter. There have been long

and complex negotiations on the reform and restructuring

of the United Nations system. This exercise has been

characterized by its particular intensity and richness, aimed

at adapting the institutions of our Organization to the new

challenges that face humankind as we approach the end of

the century.

But we are close to the time when decisions of the

utmost importance to the future of the United Nations will

have to be taken. They will have to correspond, with due

balance, to the concerns of large and small countries. What

will certainly not be acceptable is a situation in which

reforms end up maintaining the differences that already

exist today. We support the idea that reforms should

reflect the deep changes that have taken place in the 50

years since the creation of the United Nations. There must

be fair representation for all regions of the world in the

decision-making bodies of the United Nations, particularly

in the Security Council. In this regard, we recognize the

need for Africa to be duly represented, namely with

African countries as permanent members of the Council.

We have all witnessed the successes, however

relative, of the difficult talks on nuclear disarmament, in

particular the indefinite extension of the Treaty on the

Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the very

recent adoption by the General Assembly of the

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which I had the

honour and pleasure to sign on behalf of my country on

2 October 1996. We believe that these two documents

provide a historic opportunity and a powerful impetus for

the creation of conditions that will allow us to look with

hope to the possibility, one day, of a world free of all

nuclear weapons and of the nightmare of their use. The

process of nuclear disarmament should, from now on,

gain greater attention and follow-up.

The signature in Cairo, on 11 April, of the Pelindaba

Treaty, which is the conclusion of joint efforts made by

the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations,

marked the solemn pledge of the Governments and

peoples of Africa to assume their share of the task of

ridding the continent and the planet of nuclear weapons,

in the same way as did the Governments of Latin

America and the Caribbean in 1967, and those of the

South Pacific in 1985.

Cape Verde, which has consistently supported all

efforts aimed at banning weapons of mass destruction,

cannot but congratulate itself on the strengthening of

international stability and security.

Expectations were therefore raised in respect of the

planned fourth special session of the General Assembly

devoted to disarmament. We note that its mandate will be

defined in the course of this session. We hope the special

session will become a landmark in the creation of an

atmosphere of relief and trust that will help us to reach

the goal of eliminating weapons of mass destruction and

reducing conventional armaments.

A combination of historical, political, economic and

climatic factors, among others, have given Africa the

lowest level of development of any continent over the

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past three decades. Social and economic indicators are still

negative, as are Africa’s prospects for the future.

Approximately 50 per cent of the population of our

continent lives in a state of absolute poverty and that

percentage will surely increase if quick and efficient

solutions are not found to resolve this crisis. At the same

time, as cause and consequence of this appalling scenario,

we have witnessed a succession of bloody conflicts,

bringing even greater poverty, disease and the degradation

or even destruction of the environment.

For this reason, so many important resources and

capabilities that are essential to assessing and resolving the

complex issues of development are being wasted and, very

often, forever lost on the battlefields.

But it is not only the countries directly involved in

such conflicts that suffer the consequences. The tension

brought about by the presence of armed groups across the

borders of other States, the tragedy of refugees and

displaced persons seeking shelter in neighbouring countries

and very often the consequent destruction of the

environment, the spread of disease, the degeneration of

moral values, the horror of suffering and behaviours far

removed from human values are all situations not confined

to the territorial limits of the States where conflicts occur.

It is therefore with deep sorrow that we witness the

never-ending armed conflicts on our continent, despite the

efforts of both the African and the international

communities to put an end to them. Even when the parties

involved seem to have reached an agreement for the re-

establishment of peace, there are unjustified reversals that

jeopardize the entire process.

An example of this is the conflict that still exists in

Angola, a country with which Cape Verde has deep ties not

only of history and culture, but also of solidarity. We

support the efforts of the Angolan Government and the

international community to undertake all tasks aimed at

bringing about a lasting peace, social stability and the

normal functioning of institutions at the national level,

without which the Angolan people will be unable to enjoy

the tranquillity they rightfully deserve and the wealth they

could and should benefit from, given the huge potential of

their country.

The need for joint action to end the nightmare of war

in several regions of the African continent is becoming

more and more urgent. The creation of the OAU

Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and

Resolution was a far-sighted decision giving our continent

the autonomous ability to help resolve situations of

violence and tension.

Nevertheless, it is important to stress that, in keeping

with the principles that are at the foundation of that

Mechanism, its main aim is anticipation and prevention of

conflicts. Peacekeeping and security in the world remain

the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security

Council, though there may be a justification in some

situations for the involvement of the OAU in specific

peacekeeping and observer missions.

Addressing the causes of the conflicts, however,

remains the most important issue. These causes are to be

found essentially in the conditions of underdevelopment

that persist in most of our countries. Such conditions

nurture the seeds of violence and intolerance, are at the

root of armed conflicts and block the establishment of

structures to ensure democratic participation and its

resulting human rights benefits. Key elements for the

attainment of peace in Africa are therefore the promotion

of lasting development, investment in human resources

and ensuring that current processes of democratization are

successful and widespread. It is imperative that such

processes be duly supported so that they can consolidate

and improve the living conditions of the population and

stand up to possible coups de force or other such threats.

The promotion and use of dialogue must be employed to

resolve situations of civil strife and armed conflict.

In the light of the dimension and scale of the

problem of development in Africa and questions of

security, we agree with the argument that Africa is

currently the major challenge facing the United Nations.

Development, security and peace are major concerns in

the minds of the leaders of the continent and of all others

interested in the future of Africa. These goals are

interrelated and cannot be achieved separately.

Of all the factors limiting the achievement of such

objectives, the reduction of poverty is undoubtedly the

one that must first be overcome through a strategy of

sustainable development. Without this, the remaining

economic and social goals cannot be achieved. The

persistence of poverty is a constant threat not only to

economic development, but also to the political and social

stability of States and to the preservation of the

environment.

Another fact to bear in mind is that solutions for the

problems of development in Africa should be designed

and managed on our own continent, thus making

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responsibility for Africa dependent on the development of

the countries thereof. In this context, Africa is currently

deeply committed to the search for internal and lasting

solutions to its problems, which in no way suggests a

rejection of the technological and financial resources and

contributions that we believe the international community

should continue to make available so that we can overcome

the major difficulties we still face.

African countries are fully aware that they must take

their destiny into their own hands and have been trying to

implement measures that reflect their seriousness and hence

worthiness to receive support in order to produce the

expected results.

Several African countries have been undertaking

institutional reforms with the aim of opening up their

markets, reducing the role of the State in the economy and

strengthening the private sector in order to make it credible

and able to generate employment. Such reforms, combined

with democracy and the development of civil society, tend

to promote social and economic stability, thereby

marshalling internal resources and encouraging foreign

investment.

In this context, we must stress the importance of

initiatives to promote greater foreign private investment, a

source of employment and added value which is

fundamental to ensuring the continuous and stable growth

of African economies.

Another important initiative in which Africa is

engaged is the African Economic Community, which

received a decisive boost in May 1994 when the Abuja

Treaty entered into force. As a first step in its

implementation, the African countries are engaged in

strengthening the regional integration of their economies

through regional economic communities.

Last year, the Organization of African Unity adopted

the Cairo Plan of Action to give new impetus to the

economic and social development of Africa. Its

objectives — responsible management, food security,

development of human resources, the proper and effective

use of natural resources, cooperation and economic regional

integration — are ambitious but feasible. They depend upon

the political will of Governments and their ability to

marshal the internal means and external support to achieve

these objectives. Mention should be made in this regard to

the principles set out in the important decisions adopted or

being prepared by the United Nations: the United Nations

New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s

and the Agenda for Development.

The Cairo Plan of Action also recalls the need for

the adoption of measures limiting the negative impact of

the Uruguay Round agreements on the development of

Africa in general and of the least developed countries in

particular, and urges creditors to be prepared to assist in

finding ways to reduce the debt burden, particularly as

regards the current levels of debt servicing.

The recent mid-term review of the United Nations

New Agenda was an opportunity for the international

community to renew its commitment to measures aimed

at adding new impetus to implementation, particularly as

regards external debt, the diversification of African

economies, greater access to markets and the transfer of

technology. Africa sincerely hopes that that commitment,

freely entered into by its partners, will be promptly

fulfilled.

Although the current situation tends to raise very

serious concerns, it is nonetheless possible to find

encouraging signs pointing to positive developments in

the situation on the African continent from the point of

view of economic growth and the consolidation of

democracy. And these are more than mere signs; some

examples of clear successes already visible in Africa in

recent years show that it is not heading exclusively

towards chaos and destruction. It is necessary to find

appropriate policies to manage these positive signs,

policies which we must be courageous enough to

implement. We are certain such actions will achieve

results.

Although the signs are positive, they still do not

reflect an irreversible trend. The burden of dependency

resulting from past policies is still too heavy for Africa to

reverse the situation on its own. Now more than ever, the

international community, specialized agencies and the

industrialized countries that are friends of Africa are

called upon to strengthen financial and technical

assistance to the continent so that underdevelopment can

be definitively overcome.

In this regard, we congratulate certain countries on

their willingness to maintain their levels of cooperation

with Africa. Cape Verde is also pleased to note the efforts

and generosity of certain partners, including some from

the South, on behalf of the development of our country.

5

Cape Verde does not expect to be solely a beneficiary

of the actions and initiatives of the United Nations. Despite

its limitations and the fragility of its economy, my country

wishes to contribute to the search for solutions to problems

demanding our attention and to participate in those actions

in which our presence is necessary.

Despite its brief history as an independent country,

Cape Verde has several times had an opportunity to play a

positive role in processes involving other countries, either

contributing to the dialogue and understanding between the

parties involved or through participation in United Nations

peacekeeping operations.

It is the understanding of the Government of Cape

Verde that, despite the structural difficulties it faces, it is

duty-bound to contribute to the creation of a peaceful

international environment and a partnership of solidarity

that will allow all the nations of the world to benefit from

mankind’s scientific and technical achievements and to

improve social management in order to guarantee each

citizen internationally recognized basic rights associated

with the values of freedom, democracy, development and

well-being.

In this regard, we must recall here the suffering of the

people of East Timor, deprived of the right to exercise self-

determination and subjugated to a foreign military

occupation for over 20 years. We note with admiration the

resilience of the courageous Maubère people, who have lost

so many of their sons to the cause of freedom. In this

forum, where so much has been done to support the right

of colonial peoples to decide their own destinies, we join

our voice to those demanding the restitution of legality in

that territory and that the Timorese people be given the full

exercise of their rights, including the right to self-

determination.

In this same context, we cannot remain indifferent to

the recent events in the Middle East. They show clearly that

there is no alternative to the peace process and that

dialogue, tolerance and common sense must prevail over

force, violence and intolerance, failing which the region

could well be plunged anew into chaos and destruction,

thus delaying once again the hope of its peoples to live in

peace and security.

The eyes and hopes of mankind are turned to the

United Nations. We are convinced that our Organization

will emerge from this session with renewed strength and

with new actions and initiatives that will enable us to look

confidently to the challenges that the dawn of the third

millennium holds for all Governments and peoples of the

world.