Kingdom of Denmark, 1993

Let me begin by

congratulating President Insanally of Guyana on his election

to the presidency of the forty-eighth session of the General

Assembly. I feel confident that under his guidance we shall

succeed in strengthening the United Nations and establishing

peace and prosperity.

The number and importance of the challenges facing

the United Nations after its almost 50 years of existence call

for reforms. The number of Members is increasing. Now

that the cold war has ended, the United Nations, and notably

the Security Council, is in a better position than ever to

function as foreseen in the Charter. The peoples of the

world are looking more and more to the United Nations to

solve their conflicts. The United Nations is expected to

bring political stability and economic prosperity to all parts

of the world. The United Nations is expected to play a

leading role in surmounting the poverty gap. It is expected

to secure ecologically sustainable development. The United

Nations is expected to provide development assistance,

Forty-eighth session - 28 September l993 29

environmental assistance and emergency assistance. It is

expected to play a leading role in securing democracy and

respect for human rights, including women’s and children’s

rights. It is expected to bring relief to refugees and

displaced persons. And the United Nations is expected to

prevent the spread of the means of mass destruction.

Reform of the United Nations is necessary to meet

these challenges. Let me concentrate on seven items on the

reform agenda.

First, Denmark attaches particular importance to the

role of the Security Council as stated in the Charter. The

efficiency of the Council in making decisions during the

recent past has raised new expectations as to its ability to

respond to crises.

It is therefore important to ensure that the Council

membership reflects the situation of today. The Government

of Denmark recognizes that the developing countries have a

case for improving their representation. We also recognize

that there are countries with global influence and

responsibilities that may wish to see this acknowledged in

the composition of the Security Council. Those Member

States will, I am sure, also assume a special responsibility

vis-à-vis the activities of the United Nations and, in

particular, to contribute politically, militarily and financially

to the implementation of the Council’s decisions.

As my second point I wish to recall that Denmark has

always participated actively in the peace-keeping operations

of the United Nations. Consequently, it stands ready to

discuss how to strengthen the Organization in the area of

peace-keeping, peacemaking and preventive diplomacy. The

Nordic countries intend to follow this question with

particular interest with a view to putting forward proposals

during this session of the Assembly.

The deployment of a largely Nordic peace-keeping

force in Macedonia is a concrete example of preventive

deployment. In addition, Denmark is setting up a reaction

brigade of 4,500 soldiers. They could be deployed in peace-

keeping, peacemaking and humanitarian United Nations

operations. We are ready to make part of that force

available for the United Nations stand-by force arrangement.

The stand-by force arrangement could be vital in improving

the planning, reducing the lead-time and increasing the

flexibility in the peace-keeping field.

Denmark supports a more active role for the United

Nations in conflict prevention and crisis management. I

welcome the fact that some of the recommendations in "An

Agenda for Peace" in this respect have already been

implemented.

Thirdly, the World Conference on Human Rights in

June this year in Vienna reaffirmed the universal character

of human rights. The conference also focused on the human

rights of women, and rightly so: women’s rights are human

rights.

The General Assembly should decide to establish the

post of high commissioner for human rights, as

recommended by that Conference. We should also take

steps substantially to increase the resources for the United

Nations human rights programme, including the United

Nations Centre for Human Rights.

There are times when the principle of non-interference

in the internal affairs of a Member State must yield to a

decision by the international community to secure respect for

fundamental human rights and freedoms, such as freedom

from hunger and protection from genocide. Furthermore, the

right of the civilian population to receive humanitarian

assistance must also be respected, regardless of national

frontiers.

Denmark fully supports efforts to secure the safety and

protection of United Nations personnel operating in areas of

armed conflict.

Fourthly, we also need a strong United Nations in the

economic and social fields. The United Nations must

respond effectively to the economic and social needs of the

developing countries. There can be no lasting peace and

security unless the growing inequalities are addressed. The

"agenda for development" to be drafted in the coming year

by the Secretary-General will, it is hoped, contribute to

setting the priorities for the United Nations for the twenty-

first century.

By attaining the accepted United Nations targets for

official development assistance - 0.7 per cent of gross

national product and within that 0.15 per cent to the least

developed countries - we would dramatically increase the

volume of support for the developing countries. That would

also clearly demonstrate the world’s commitment to deal

seriously with its economic and social problems.

Fifthly, as is well known, Denmark contributes

substantially to United Nations development activities. Our

contributions must be used to the optimum benefit of

developing countries and not lost in bureaucracy and

inefficiency. We must convince donors that the United

30 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Nations and its funds and programmes can serve as efficient

channels for a large part of their development assistance. If

not, other channels will increasingly be used. Member

States must demonstrate their commitment to fundamental

reform - not just window-dressing.

During the past year a compromise solution for

restructuring and revitalizing the United Nations in the

economic and social fields was carefully negotiated, but

finally not agreed upon. The Government of Denmark

deeply regrets this situation. We sincerely hope that it will

be remedied by this session of the General Assembly.

Sixthly, it must be recognized that social peace is as

important as strategic peace. We see the World Summit for

Social Development to be held in Copenhagen in March

1995 as an opportunity to put people at the centre of

development. To us, democratic practices and fair

distribution of resources are closely related to dynamic

economic development.

The Copenhagen Summit and the fourth World

Conference on Women will both mark the fiftieth

anniversary of the United Nations in 1995. The preparations

for the women’s Conference should lead to a substantial

input for the Copenhagen Summit. Likewise, the outcome

of the Copenhagen Summit ought to be a strong message

from the world’s leaders signalling their commitment to

closing the gap between men’s and women’s social and

economic opportunities.

My seventh point concerns the Secretariat. Since he

took office the Secretary-General has carried out a number

of changes in the Secretariat. I commend the Secretary-

General for these changes and assure him of our support in

his efforts to make the Secretariat more efficient.

All efforts should be undertaken to eradicate corruption,

waste and mismanagement in the Secretariat. I welcome the

establishment of the post of Assistant Secretary-General for

Inspections and Investigations. This is the first step towards

the creation of the post of Inspector-General. But such

initiatives cannot of themselves solve the financial crisis of

the United Nations. That requires that Member States pay

their assessed contributions on time and in full. That is one

of the basic requirements for membership of the

Organization.

I fail to understand how Member States, including some

of the permanent members of the Security Council, can call

for United Nations assistance, including in peace-keeping

operations, and then not pay. This leaves the United Nations

unable to perform vital functions. It also leaves troop -

contributors such as Denmark with the problem that the

United Nations does not honour its financial obligations to

us - that is, to repay expenses for Danish United Nations

personnel and equipment.

Let me now turn to a few current problems facing the

world and the United Nations.

In the Middle East we are witnessing a historic

breakthrough. I pay tribute to the Israelis and the

Palestinians for having taken this step towards a

comprehensive, just and lasting solution. I commend

Norway for its role in bringing about this agreement.

I also welcome the fact that Israel and Jordan have

signed an agenda for further negotiations. I hope that

progress will soon be made in the Israeli-Syrian and

Israeli-Lebanese tracks of the peace process.

Ample support, both economic and political, is essential

to keep momentum, and must be provided by the

international community. Denmark, at an early stage,

together with the other Nordic countries, decided to pledge

a substantial amount. We have also demonstrated our

commitment to the developments in the Middle East region

through the European Community, the major donor in this

context.

In contrast, it is with dismay we see the developments

in the former Yugoslavia. The international community

should accept only a solution reached by peaceful means and

negotiations. In this connection, I pay tribute to the tireless

efforts of Lord Owen and Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg.

The solution to the crises must respect the

independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia

and Herzegovina. We cannot accept a territorial solution

dictated by Serbs and Croats at the expense of the Bosnian

Muslims. It is extremely important now that all parties show

the necessary flexibility in order to arrive at a solution they

all can freely agree to. Such an arrangement must ensure

the protection of human rights and the rights of minorities.

Sanctions will remain in place until conditions for their

lifting have been met. They should not be eased before a

peace agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina is under faithful

implementation by the Serbian side. Future attempts to

hinder humanitarian aid and the guaranteed free passage of

convoys are unacceptable and will have serious

consequences for relations between the party responsible and

the European Community.

Forty-eighth session - 28 September l993 31

By its resolution 827 (1993), the Security Council

decided to establish the International Tribunal for the

Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of

International Humanitarian Law committed in the Territory

of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991. Denmark strongly

supports this decision.

The conflict in the former Yugoslavia is probably the

most difficult task taken on by the United Nations in its

history. Denmark participates in the United Nations

Protection Force with almost 1,300 peace-keepers and has

made substantive contributions to the European Community

Monitoring Mission. Large numbers of Danes are also

involved in the humanitarian work carried out under the

auspices of the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees. In addition, Denmark has made

large financial contributions to the various international relief

programmes and through Danish non-governmental

organizations.

Responding to the calls for swift and effective

implementation of Security Council resolution 836 (1993) on

safe areas, the Nordic countries have decided to field a joint

Nordic United Nations battalion group of about 1,300 men

to protect the safe areas around Tuzla in Bosnia and

Herzegovina. The force is expected to be ready for

deployment in October. That decision is evidence of the

willingness of the Nordic countries to make their

contribution to resolving the tragic conflict and protect the

civilian population from the horrors of war.

In the African continent, we see both hope and

continued distress, regional conflicts and violations of basic

human rights.

As Mr. Nelson Mandela eloquently told the Special

Committee against Apartheid last Friday, historic advances

towards democracy in South Africa have been achieved. I

welcome his call to lift the economic and diplomatic

sanctions vis-à-vis his country. I also share his view that

this will give added impetus to the process, and strengthen

the forces, of democratic change.

I wish to recall the decision of the European

Community and its member States on 8 June 1993 to adjust

their policy towards South Africa concurrently with

developments towards majority rule and democracy.

Denmark stands ready to support South African efforts

to normalize relations with the United Nations. The United

Nations, for its part, should support South Africa during its

difficult transitional period. An urgent priority should be to

support the first democratic elections. It is essential that

they be free and fair. I can only echo Mr. Mandela’s call

last week to the Security Council to consider how the United

Nations can best support South Africa in this endeavour. It

must be ensured that this last mile on the road to democracy

is successful. Denmark intends to make a substantial

contribution. We will also - once the Transitional Executive

Council has been established - initiate a programme of

transitional assistance to South Africa amounting to

approximately 600 million Danish kroner, or about $100

million.

The level of violence in South Africa remains

unacceptably high; it is the single most serious threat to the

process. We appeal to all parties to make every effort to

stop the violence. The international community should

continue to support such efforts.

In Somalia the situation is still very grave. The

deplorable actions in the form of continued attacks directed

against the United Nations Operation in Somalia forces and

relief and aid personnel cannot be condemned strongly

enough. All parties in the civil strife must understand that

violence does not pay in the long run. We support the

efforts by the United Nations to bring about a negotiated

settlement in Somalia as well as the efforts to relieve the

suffering of the people.

Civil strife and violations of the most basic human

rights have characterized the Sudan for far too long. The

Secretary-General has appointed a Special Envoy

Humanitarian Affairs for the Sudan. Denmark urges all

parties to seek political solutions to the problems of the

country. We fully support the work of the Special Envoy as

well as other steps to redress the prevailing situation,

including the violation of human rights.

Denmark congratulates the people of Cambodia on the

historic and successful elections for a Constituent Assembly

and on that Assembly’s presentation of a new constitution.

The impressively high voter participation and the Constituent

Assembly’s dedication in fulfilling its task constitute a

victory for democracy and for the peace process.

I also wish to thank the Secretary-General, the United

Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and

participating international polling-station officers for their

enormous effort and hard work.

The international community must continue its support

for the peace process and for the reconstruction of

32 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Cambodia. I can confirm Denmark’s commitment in that

respect.

This year, 1993, is the International Year of the

World’s Indigenous People. The Government of Denmark

wishes to promote indigenous peoples’ own organizations

with a view to their full participation in political, economic,

social and cultural life. In collaboration with the Home Rule

Government of Greenland, we support all efforts to increase

awareness of the special situation facing indigenous peoples,

including the Inuit of Greenland.

A particular concern of Denmark is that the indigenous

peoples who have been permanent residents of the Arctic for

millenniums are at risk from environmental degradation. On

16 September 1993 the Government of Denmark and the

Home Rule Government of Greenland hosted the second

Ministerial Conference on the Arctic Environment, at Nuuk,

the capital of Greenland. In the Nuuk Declaration, adopted

and signed at that Conference, the eight Arctic countries

recognized the special role of indigenous peoples in

environmental management and in development in the Arctic

and the significance of their knowledge and traditional

practices. The Government of Denmark will establish and

fund a secretariat to promote the indigenous peoples’

effective participation in the Arctic Environmental Protection

Strategy and in the achievement of sustainable development

in the Arctic.

In conclusion, let me state that there is no alternative to

our United Nations. Only the United Nations has the

necessary legitimacy to undertake humanitarian action,

peace-keeping operations, the creation of an international

tribunal, and assistance to suffering peoples around the

world.

At the same time, the need for reforms in the United

Nations is evident. The job facing all of us as Member

States is to agree in concrete terms on such reforms. We

must show that behind the words spoken from this rostrum

lies a will to enable the United Nations to serve the many

functions we the peoples are asking for.