Marshall Islands, 2001

On behalf of the

Government and the people of the Republic of the

Marshall Islands allow me to offer cordial

congratulations to the President on his election as

President of the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth

session, and to offer the Marshall Islands unreserved

cooperation in our deliberations at this session.

I must also express my sincere gratitude to his

predecessor, Mr. Harri Holkeri, whose outstanding

leadership was instrumental in making the fifty-fifth

session, coined the Millennium Assembly, highly

successful.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands also pays

tribute to Mr. Kofi Annan on his re-election to a second

term as Secretary-General, as well as on winning the

prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, which is a very well-

deserved and timely recognition of the Organization

and of the Secretary-General’s wisdom and dedication

to the service of mankind.

It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that the

Government of President Kessai Note and the people of

the Republic of the Marshall Islands reiterate to the

Government and people of the United States of

America their deepest sympathy and condolences for

the suffering and pain caused by the terrorist attacks of

11 September. Similarly, we wish to convey our

heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the other great

nations that were directly affected by that tragic and

inhuman act. They were not alone in their daily trials

and tribulations; the Republic of the Marshall Islands

was with them. Furthermore, we extend our solidarity

and condolences to the Government and people of the

Dominican Republic, who suffered losses in the recent

crash of American Airlines flight 587.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands condemns

all acts of terrorism. I am pleased to inform the

Assembly of the ratification by the Government of the

Marshall Islands of six conventions and treaties related

to terrorism. They are the Convention on the Physical

Protection of Nuclear Material, the Convention on the

Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against

Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic

Agents, the International Convention for the

Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, the Convention for

the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, the

Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for

the Purpose of Detection, and the International

Convention against the Taking of Hostages.

The marked worldwide increase in behaviours

abhorrent to human dignity, freedom and basic rights of

innocent people encouraged the early ratification of the

Rome Statute by the Marshall Islands, which calls for

the establishment of an International Criminal Court.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands welcomes an

early establishment of the Court and the

implementation of its mandate.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands remains

fully committed to the principles enshrined in the

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human rights bill. The Government is currently in the

process of ratifying the following conventions: the

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman

or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the

International Convention on the Elimination of All

Forms of Racial Discrimination; the United Nations

International Covenant on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights; and the International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights. We are committed to accede

to them in a timely manner.

Given the unique conditions under which we seek

our livelihood, our Government has been readily

supportive of new scientific breakthroughs and

innovations for the betterment of the world. However,

we feel there are certain scientific initiatives that run

counter to human decency. In this regard, we fully

associate ourselves with the call by the Governments of

Germany and of France for a universal convention

banning human cloning for reproductive purposes. We

believe that such a scientific endeavour would directly

violate the Universal Declaration on the Human

Genome and Human Rights, drawn up by the United

Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization and endorsed by the General Assembly in

resolution 53/152. Article 11 of that Declaration

specifies that

“Practices which are contrary to human dignity,

such as reproductive cloning of human beings,

shall not be permitted.”

As in the past, the Republic of the Marshall

Islands will continue to voice in the strongest terms

possible and in the best form at its disposal, its

concerns and fears over issues relating to climate

change and rising sea levels. The Assembly is aware

that several Pacific island countries are represented in

this Organization. Like other small island countries, the

Republic of the Marshall Islands is plagued by a unique

set of problems. Our coastal zones have become highly

vulnerable to erosion, our groundwater systems are

affected by high levels of saltwater intrusion, and

increasing salinity is having a direct impact on our

subsistence cropping. Such vulnerabilities, together

with prolonged drought, constitute a deadly peril for

our health and survival.

We welcome the successful outcome of the sixth

session of the Conference of the Parties to the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

which recently concluded in Marrakesh. The Kyoto

Protocol is the best available solution to address our

environmental concerns. We should be able to look

back in the coming days and commend ourselves for

the mission that is to be accomplished. We owe it to

our children and to our children’s children.

The Millennium Declaration, adopted by heads of

State or Government during the Millennium Assembly,

should serve as our guiding framework and road map

for achieving sustainable development, eradicating

poverty, combating HIV/AIDS, preventing illegal

trafficking in small arms and safeguarding the

environment.

Immediately following the Millennium Assembly,

President Kessai H. Note convened a broad-based

economic and social summit, the outcome of which

was the development of a national planning vision — a

guiding framework for a long-term national

development programme. I commend Member States

for their generous support and assistance for this

initiative.

The Government of the Republic of the Marshall

Islands is of the view that the United Nations must

move forward proactively in its reform process. We

commend the Secretary-General for his reform

programme. However, much more needs to be done.

We encourage the Fifth Committee and United Nations

funds and programmes to support and cooperate in the

reform process.

The Government of the Republic of the Marshall

Islands fully supports the expansion of the Security

Council in both the permanent and non-permanent

categories, based on equity, to include developed and

developing countries so as to respond to the realities

and challenges of our contemporary world. We note

that certain issues need to be agreed on. We should

move forward with broad-based agreement and revisit

our differences.

Now that this Organization has 189 Member

States, 14 of them being from the Pacific region, the

reconfiguration of our electoral groupings should be an

additional matter to be placed on the table. It may be a

complex issue, but through our collective efforts and

inspiration, the goal can be achieved, and it should be

considered without further delay.

The exclusion from this body and its related

agencies of the Republic of China on Taiwan is a

major, serious hindrance to the Government of the

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Republic of China on Taiwan in its pursuit of its

fundamental rights to participate in international

dialogue and regional organizations and activities. The

time has come once again to reconsider the exclusion

of the Republic of China on Taiwan from this

prestigious body. There is so much that the Republic of

China on Taiwan could do, in cooperation with the

United Nations system, in the areas of sustainable

development, technology, health, peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, the Republic of the Marshall

Islands pledges its commitment to the principles

enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

God bless the United Nations.