Grenada, 1996

Virtue constitutes the greatest

form of human strength. Indeed, the very origin of the word

“virtue” connotes manly strength — not merely physical

strength, but moral strength. With respect to human

interaction, it is a widely acknowledged truth that the

greatest form of power arises when virtue is furnished with

means. That is the concept that gave birth to the United

Nations, inspired its noble deeds, and generally continues

to inform its operations. Accordingly, our celebration last

year of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations was

quintessentially a collective expression of rejoicing in the

wisdom embodied in that powerful truth, as well as an

explicit, joint recommitment on the part of Member nations

to act in accordance with the principle of empowerment of

virtue, through the supply of appropriate means.

In this context it is, for me, a great honour to be

afforded the opportunity to address this very distinguished

gathering of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly.

This event is easily the most important in the world

calendar, as far as political deliberations are concerned.

My delegation conveys to this Assembly the greetings

of the Government and the people of Grenada, and

congratulates His Excellency Mr. Razali Ismail of Malaysia

on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly

at its fifty-first session. We were particularly impressed

with the way in which Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral of

Portugal conducted the affairs of the General Assembly at

its fiftieth session, and take this opportunity to thank him

for his handling of those proceedings.

My delegation further expresses appreciation and

thanks to the Secretary-General, His Excellency

Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his vision and willingness

to confront the many challenges that the Organization has

recently been facing and, specifically for his dedication in

seeking to solve world problems in the socio-economic and

political spheres.

This new session of the General Assembly is being

held against the background of a continually changing

global environment. That notwithstanding, there exists, on

the one hand, a spirit of international cooperation and, on

the other, a high degree of convergence of several ideals,

such as the institution and strengthening of democracy,

promoting and fostering economic integration and political

harmony, and the pursuit and practice of a new

multilateralism. Yet it must be expressly stated that the

noble goal of achieving global democracy, peace and

prosperity can be realized only with significant inputs

from the developed countries acting in collaboration with

the disadvantaged ones.

Currently, many of the small developing countries

that are Members of this Organization are faced with

severe economic problems. It cannot be overemphasized

that measures aimed at stabilizing their economies and

creating the conditions for sustained growth and

development have very painful effects on the populace.

Nonetheless, these effects can be made more bearable,

and it behoves us to point specifically to the human

dimension in this regard.

Since June 1995, the new Administration in Grenada

has focused on strengthening our democratic institutions

and on rebuilding our economy. My Government has been

developing strategies, mechanisms and procedures to

increase transparency and accountability in the conduct of

Government. Moreover, my Government has pledged

itself to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens as

well as to other elements of civil society, such as a free

press, freedom of expression, a fair and open democratic

process, the supremacy under God of our Constitution and

the effective functioning of the parliamentary system, for

which our Constitution specifically and explicitly

provides.

Economically, our domestic policies are aimed

primarily at encouraging individuals and businesses to

maximize the return on their enterprise and efforts. We

have embraced the notion that promoting micro-

enterprises is one of the ways to accomplish this goal.

Only recently, we initiated a micro-enterprise programme,

with the provision of a modest sum to help young

entrepreneurs in particular to embark upon their several

ventures. We hope that the programme will succeed,

thereby contributing to our overall economic development,

both materially and psycho-culturally. Such preferential

treatment is being given to the young so as to better

fashion a culture of confidence, thoughtful creativity and

purposeful enterprise. We are actively seeking also to

enhance opportunities to enable our working population

to attain higher standards of living.

My Government has set itself specific goals

including balanced and integrated sectoral growth, a

relevant and adaptive education system, health for all, and

strategic human resource planning and development. In

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this latter respect, priority is being placed on the

development of an adequately skilled and disciplined work

force.

While we are aware that the matter of economic and

individual personal development is first and foremost a

national responsibility, we are deeply conscious that our

limited domestic resources constitute a severe constraint

upon us in our quest to fulfil this obligation.

Accordingly, we earnestly ask — indeed we urge —

the many United Nations agencies involved in such

activities, and also individual Governments, to continue to

provide to us and to others in the same position the kind of

help that is needed to meet satisfactorily growing demand

for the spectrum of expertise vital to our national

development.

The grim realities of the very limited resources of very

small countries are well known. Nonetheless, these realities

have become more glaring in this era of trade liberalization

and the globalization of production.

Both of these phenomena, as conceived and elaborated

by the developed countries, are startling reminders to us not

only of our condition of institutionalized non-reciprocating

dependence in a world that is becoming increasingly

interdependent, but also of our vulnerability to economic

marginalization. Thus, we are in no way, and to no degree,

inhibited with regard to addressing inviting profound

reflection on the issue of the special circumstances of small

island developing States — particularly those in the

Caribbean region, where prominent among the features

characterizing our special circumstances is the ever-present

vulnerability to natural disaster and the widespread

devastation resulting therefrom.

The need for official development assistance and the

transfer of real resources from the North to the South has

never been as pronounced as it is now. Indeed, such are the

dimensions of that need in terms of both spread and

intensity that the transfer of resources referred to here can

be effected only on the basis of a concept of a new global

order as was initially envisaged and expressed in principle

by the President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Cheddi

Jagan, and adopted by all the member States of the

Caribbean Community.

This, no doubt, has to be elaborated, and the countries

of the North are especially requested to give disciplined and

objective consideration to this matter. The conceptual

requirements of the new global order include: a

reconstructive change in interaction between North and

South; a new basis for interaction; a new ethic for relating

one to the other; and a genuine partnership, a partnership

which eschews exploitation of any one people by another

and seeks instead to pursue mutual upliftment of the

peoples involved.

More specifically, it is explicitly posited here that

the developed countries should assist the less developed

countries in respect of the following: first, the alleviation

of the debt burden by one means or another; secondly,

assistance for the development of centres for investment,

the training of human resources, and training in how to

make the economy more efficient, responsive and

transparent; and thirdly, technical assistance to the smaller

economies to help them make the transition towards

incorporation and effective participation in a global

economy that is so markedly characterized by so-called

free trade. Smaller countries must not be excluded from

processes which they cannot direct in their favour or,

indeed, effectively influence so as to avoid experiencing

the deleterious effects of those processes. Those are but

a few of the tenets upon which the proffered concept of

the new global order is based.

It is common knowledge that bananas provide a

livelihood for a significant percentage of the people of the

Caribbean, and particularly the subregion of the

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Thus, the

current challenge to our special arrangements for that fruit

in Europe is, to say the least, uncaring, if not hostile.

Grenada and several of the other States now being so

affected have, on many issues, collaborated with and

supported those very countries that are now quite

unrelenting in their deliberate assault upon our

preferential arrangement, which constitutes an assault on

the well-being and the very livelihood of a significant

proportion of our people.

There should be no need whatsoever to remind the

Assembly that there is a direct correlation between the

premature destruction of our banana industry and the

well-being and integrity of our democratic process and

thus of our democracy itself. Substantial increases in

crime and other social ills have been shown to induce

commensurate increases in involvement in trading in, and

the use of, illicit drugs. We certainly prefer to prevent the

occurrence of such situations than to have to expend our

energies and scarce resources on remedial action to

contain and eradicate the now ever-present threat of an

expanding narco-culture.

It cannot be denied that, there are other, and more

important, objectives to be achieved besides protecting the

market economy. And this applies to all countries, the

developed as well as the less developed. The time is now

right for serious thrusts to be made towards the alleviation

of the poverty and deprivation which are so widespread

across the world, although most prevalent in the developing

countries. This process must be activated immediately to

ensure that economic progress is buttressed by social

equity. Freedom from want; good health; genuine

education; a clean environment; elimination of the scourge

of illicit drugs, as well as of unemployment and

underemployment; and the better and wider enjoyment of

basic human rights: these are the goals we should

unswervingly and constantly be seeking to reach.

In this context, my Government is cognizant of its

duties and responsibilities. We are convinced that through

prudent management of our very limited resources, a

willingness on the part of our people to work hard and, on

our part, clear political leadership and virtuously inspired

guidance — all enhanced by the support of friendly

Governments and donor agencies — we shall, in due

course, place our country on a sound path towards genuine

growth.

My delegation is happy to state in this regard that

some improvement has already been made and that our

Government looks forward to achieving in the not too

distant future most of the goals we have set ourselves in

order more effectively to pursue those other goals, which

would significantly enhance the quality of our people’s

lives.

In the context of collective international efforts

towards the achievement of some kind of sustainable

development in the less developed countries, it is instructive

to refer to the recently held Group of Seven summit in

Lyon, France, where most of the efforts focused on the new

global order.

The leaders of the world’s most powerful nations

agreed that in the present global economic situation it is

absolutely necessary to control negative consequences and

fight against the risks of exclusion, both at the national and

international levels. Their communiqué, entitled

“Globalization for the Benefit of All”, does seem to signal

the stirrings of a new order for humankind.

Grenada welcomes the discussion held on aid for

development — particularly with officials from the

International Monetary Fund and the World Bank — and is

heartened by the fact that in those discussions modalities

were defined for a new partnership for development based

on the sharing of responsibilities between developed

countries, developing countries and multilateral

organizations.

The pledge by the G-7 countries to ensure

substantial flows of public aid for development to the

countries most in need is very timely and most welcome.

Dare we of the South perceive this pronouncement by the

G-7 to be not simply a pledge of honour but, further, an

expression of subscription to the new global order, as

enunciated by a visionary of the South, underscored now

by a soulful shinning forth of virtue on the part of the

North? My delegation sincerely hopes so.

It is several years since any substantial change was

made to the structure of one of the most important organs

of this Organization. I refer to the Security Council.

Meanwhile, the international political and economic

environments have undergone some drastic and far-

reaching transformations. Grenada strongly believes that

in order to reflect the new geopolitical and economic

realities of our world today, there are changes that are

now due, particularly in the Security Council.

Accordingly, my delegation expresses its unwavering

support for the reforms currently being undertaken, as

well as those now being contemplated with respect to the

United Nations system.

In July of this year, the European Union, through its

Parliament, adopted a resolution to support the call for

participation in international organizations by the Republic

of China. The Government and people of Grenada

consider this action on the part of the European Union to

have been a most significant development. We welcome

this development, and we applaud the European Union for

it. Indeed, we are encouraged by that action, for the

persistent plea of Grenada, constantly repeated over

several years in every appropriate forum, has now been

amplified into a clarion call for moral justice, in contrast

to the expediency of power politics, economic advantage

and legislative manipulation of yesteryear.

The Republic of China has for many years

consistently displayed its commitment to the values and

principles of this body. Indeed, in the face of threats and

undisguised acts of aggression, the courageous people of

the Republic of China boldly chose to embark upon a

path of freedom, justice, and respect for human rights,

and recently took part in their presidential election, which

was open, free and fair.

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The economic achievements of this brave country of

21.3 million people are well and widely known. Thus, there

can be no doubt as to the capability of the people of the

Republic of China to make substantial contributions to the

work of the United Nations. As to their willingness to make

significant contributions, that also cannot be a matter of

doubt. They have given testimony in this regard in several

ways. They have established their good faith. They deserve

the right to participate in the conferences and activities of

the United Nations system. To continue to deny them this

right would be to persist in denying them justice within the

confraternity of nations.

Superior power is found only where there is superior

excellence of some kind, and the Republic of China has

manifested a certain degree of superior power which

derives from virtue rather than from physical strength.

Thus, the Government and people of Grenada unequivocally

exhort this Assembly to secure participation by the

Republic of China in the agencies and activities of the

United nations system.

With every passing year, contemporary politics

becomes more complex and, thus, commensurately complex

are the related solutions. In this regard, my delegation

especially applauds the efforts of the United Nations in

attempting to maintain some degree of peace and security

in various parts of the world. From Haiti to the war-torn

Republics of the former Yugoslavia, to the famine-stricken

cities of many an African State, the United Nations

humanitarian activities and missions of peace are indeed

worthy of special commendation. In this regard, I seize the

opportunity now afforded me to express a father’s

appreciation of and blessings upon my son Mark, who for

some years has been and continues to be so engaged, and

I ask your indulgence in this regard.

Grenada is encouraged by the progress — albeit

halting — made in the Middle East peace process and urges

continued dialogue until the noble ideal of peaceful

coexistence is achieved. But world peace and security will

not be attained if those countries with nuclear capabilities

continue to promulgate their use for military purposes. My

delegation therefore welcomes efforts to institute a

comprehensive ban on nuclear testing.

Similarly, the practice of transporting hazardous

radioactive materials, particularly through the Caribbean

Sea, must be stopped immediately. The very

surreptitiousness with which this business is conducted and

transportation effected is indeed a tacit admission of

wrongdoing. Caribbean humanness is violated in such

transactions. In the name of humanity, therefore, the

Government and the people of Grenada, without

equivocation and without qualification, call for this

practice to be stopped, and stopped now.

It has been suggested by Max Ascoli that

“civilization is a constant quest for non-violent

means of solving conflicts — a common quest for

peace.”

Nonetheless, my Government perceives civilization as

being more than simply a quest for peace, more than

merely the shunning of visible violence. My Government

sees civilization as the purposeful pursuit of peace

through commitment to justice; the inherent equality of all

men and women; and the inalienable rights which derive

from simply being human. My Government subscribes to

the principle of the overriding rule of moral law.

In the context of violations of humanness, it behoves

me to express, on behalf of my delegation, the deep

concern of the Government and the people of Grenada in

respect of the agonies which are currently being

experienced by a significant number of persons in Cyprus.

Grenada, like Cyprus, is an island nation, small, but

sovereign. We therefore call for an end to the suffering to

which so many of the families and individual persons of

that beautiful country have been subjected. The smallness

of a nation does not, to any degree whatever, negate the

fundamental human rights of each of its citizens.

The great Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran, in his

Thoughts and Meditations, offered humanity the following

insightful observation:

“My soul preached to me and showed me that

I am neither more than the pygmy, nor less than the

giant. Ere my soul preached to me, I looked upon

humanity as two men; one weak, whom I pitied, and

the other strong, whom I followed or resisted in

defiance. But now I have learned that I am as both

are, and made from the same elements. My origin is

their origin, my conscience is their conscience, my

contention is their contention, and my pilgrimage is

their pilgrimage.”

My delegation is deeply convinced of the

unsurpassable wisdom which these words of Khalil

Gibran represent. The sentiment conveyed constitutes the

sine qua non for the realization of international

brotherhood. This we do believe.

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Accordingly, my delegation earnestly urges that

henceforth the quintessential sameness of all mankind and

a genuine commitment to virtue should be adopted as the

guiding principles of this Assembly. May God bless

everyone participating in this fifty-first regular session of

the Assembly, so that, so much the more effectively, the

Assembly will be a transforming blessing to our world.