Cambodia, 2004

At the outset, I wish to join

other Member States in congratulating you,

Mr. President, on your election as President of the

General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session. Given your

extensive experience and wisdom, I am confident that

you will successfully steer the course of this session,

which is important for the challenging world that we

live in today.

I commend the efforts and the contribution to the

United Nations of Mr. Julian Hunte as President of the

General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session, and I

express my appreciation to Secretary-General Kofi

Annan for his commitment, dedication and leadership

in working to further the realization of the objectives

and the mission of the United Nations in our

increasingly complex world.

Since 11 September 2001, the response to

terrorism at the global, regional and national levels has

been significant and massive. Nevertheless, despite the

progress we have made in our efforts, countries

throughout the world continue to suffer from terrorist

attacks that continue to kill innocent people. Therefore,

I believe that our response to this deadly threat to

humanity must be more comprehensive. However, I

also believe that, while we fight terrorism relentlessly,

we should do our best to understand its true root

causes. When we are able to do that, we can hope to

eliminate terrorism.

When the Millennium Development Goals were

launched in 2000, they held much hope for developing

countries, but so far there have been no meaningful

results. Poverty on many parts of the globe remains

one of the greatest challenges in the world today, with

more than 1.2 billion people surviving on less than $1

per day. Global poverty reduction is not the

responsibility of developing countries alone; it is also

the shared responsibility of the international

community, particularly the developed countries.

Perhaps it is time for more concrete actions rather than

mere declarations.

With regard to the Middle East conflict, I believe

that the international community should continue to

support the inalienable and sacred right of the

Palestinian people to an independent State. We should

also urge all parties involved to put an end to the

violence once and for all. All the parties must put aside

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their hatred and their historical animosity. Both the

Palestinians and the Israelis must realize that they have

equal rights to coexist, living side by side in peace and

harmony for the sake of their own peoples and peace in

the region.

Concerning the situation in Iraq, I believe that the

current, unending violence there has not created an

environment conducive to national reconciliation and

peace. It is my view that the United Nations and the

international community must do everything possible

to restore peace, security and political stability to Iraq

so that the Iraqi people will have a chance to choose, in

a sovereign manner, their own leaders and their own

Government. I believe that democracy can never be

exported or imported; it is a state of mind and must be

learned.

With regard to the Taiwan issue, Cambodia is of

the view that it is a vital issue not only for China, but

also for the region as a whole. Cambodia, like other

members of the community of nations, has been

unequivocally supportive of a genuine “one-China”

policy, since we recognize the fact that Taiwan is an

integral part of China.

Every year in the General Assembly, most

members of this global institution have called for

reform of the United Nations, particularly of the

Security Council. Indeed, Cambodia is of the view that

reform of the Council is essential, not only for the

credibility of the Council itself, but for that of the

entire United Nations system as well. The reform of

the Security Council will undoubtedly reflect the

realities of the world today. In reforming the Council

by enlarging its membership, we will make it more

representative, more democratic and more efficient. In

that regard, Cambodia supports the candidacies of

Japan, Germany and India for permanent seats on the

Council. The number of non-permanent members

representing various parts of the world should also be

increased.

Cambodia wishes to appeal to all Member States

to support its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on

the Security Council for the period 2006-2007. Since

we joined the United Nations in 1955, Cambodia has

never held any position within it, although we have

always cooperated closely with the Organization.

With the formation of our new Government in

July this year, and with the adoption of our rectangular

strategy and our political programme, the Royal

Government of Cambodia has accorded top priority to

building good governance in order to carry out key

areas of reform and the four pillars of its rectangular

strategy for socio-economic development.

In conclusion, I believe that we need to ensure

that the Millennium Development Goals are followed

up and carried out in response to the hopes of the

billions of poor people who live in developing

countries. Moreover, I feel that poverty reduction

should remain a top priority to be addressed

collectively by the international community so that we

can close the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

In the light of the challenges that pose greater threats

to our world today than ever before — terrorism,

violence, conflict, poverty, epidemics of infectious

diseases, environmental degradation and many

others — I firmly believe that we need a stronger and

more efficient United Nations to address those

challenges in the most effective way possible. In that

regard, the Organization must be truly representative,

fully democratic and strongly committed to the cause

of humanity.