Mozambique, 1997

On behalf of my

Government and on my own behalf, allow me to

congratulate you, Mr. President, on your unanimous

election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty-

second session. Your election to this office bears testimony

to your commitment to the cause of international peace and

security. I am sure that with your guidance and wide

experience in international affairs, our work will record a

successful outcome. You can rest assured of my

delegation’s full support during your term of office.

I would also like to put on record our appreciation of

the manner in which your predecessor, Ambassador Razali

Ismail of Malaysia, presided over the deliberations of the

fifty-first session of the General Assembly. His

performance and innovative ideas will indeed help us tackle

the challenges before our Organization in the years to

come.

Let me pay a well-deserved tribute to the Secretary-

General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his

leadership and the commitment to the ideals of international

peace and security demonstrated in his first year of office.

I wish him well and pledge our full support and cooperation

as he discharges his responsibilities in our Organization in

times of change.

Within two days, Mozambique will celebrate five

years of peace and stability. Looking back, albeit to see the

challenges we have encountered, our nation has, without a

doubt, made significant progress in its quest for the

consolidation of peace and tranquillity, democracy and

development, and we are determined further to pursue these

goals.

In the political sphere, we have succeeded in

creating an enabling environment in which political

discussions are being carried out positively both in

Parliament and by civil society at large. As we deepen

this positive experience within the framework of a

pluralistic society, there is broad consensus among all

Mozambicans that dialogue must continue to be the way

to overcome differences and to address the development

needs of our country. To this end, my Government will

spare no effort in order to ensure that Parliament

continues to function normally, for we believe that this

course of action remains a key factor for the consolidation

of peace, democracy and national reconciliation. The next

step will be to hold the country’s first municipal elections,

which will complement the process initiated in 1994 with

the holding of multi-party general elections.

The implementation of the structural adjustment

programme initiated in 1987 has indeed created an

attractive environment for private investment, both

domestic and foreign, which is gradually and steadily

leading the country to economic and social progress. It is

within this multidisciplinary and global action that

economic reforms are taking place, with results that are

already positive and tangible. Preliminary indications of

the performance of the economy during the first half of

1997 estimate that growth in gross domestic product will

reach about 7 per cent by the end of this year, a figure

which is higher than that originally forecast.

In speaking on this very important subject I would

like to underscore the high importance we attach to the

need for flexibility with respect to the implementation of

initiatives for debt relief and sustainability. My

Government is encouraged by recent indications from

international financial institutions concerning the

impending decision on the eligibility of Mozambique to

the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative. I

would hope that once such a decision is made the time-

frame between the decision point and the completion

point might be as short as possible so as to have the

desired impact on the economy. Without far-reaching debt

relief measures, it will be virtually impossible for the

country to sustain the current growth and stabilization of

the economy. We hope that as soon as possible all least

developed countries may accede to the Initiative.

In this regard, my Government welcomes the recent

admission of Russia to both the Group of 8 and the Paris

Club. It is our hope that those steps will enable that

country to play a more active and constructive role in

matters related to debt forgiveness and relief, particularly

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in relation to countries like Mozambique. For our part, we

will continue to undertake and deepen further our political

and economic reforms, as we have over the past 10 years,

with particular emphasis on the provision of basic health

care and education.

The rehabilitation of the economic and social fabrics,

especially in the rural areas, is seriously hampered by the

scourge of landmines. These horrible weapons have killed

and continue to kill and wound hundreds of innocent

citizens. With that in mind, at the fourth International

Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations on

Landmines, which met at Maputo in February of this year,

my Government approved a resolution that prohibits, with

immediate effect, the production, commercialization,

utilization and non-authorized transportation of anti-

personnel landmines in the territory of Mozambique.

My Government has been participating fully in the

negotiations within the framework of the Ottawa process.

In this respect, we welcome the results achieved at the

recently concluded Oslo Diplomatic Conference. We urge

all countries to heed the call of the peoples of the world

and to join the majority of nations in signing the

international treaty on the total ban of anti-personnel

landmines in December this year. We wish to launch a

vigorous appeal to the international community to ensure

that all the provisions of that treaty with respect to, inter

alia, the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines and

those laid within minefields and in areas outside minefields,

and with respect to international cooperation and assistance,

are fully implemented.

In this respect, I wish to highlight the importance my

Government attaches to the question of assistance to victims

of landmines before, during and following mine clearance,

in order to ensure the early and safe return and resettlement

of displaced persons with a view to ensuring a speedy

resumption of economic activity, in particular in rural areas.

I would like to express our deep gratitude to those

countries and organizations that are providing generous

assistance in demining activities, and invite others to join

us in implementing our national demining programme.

In August this year, the Government and civil society

jointly launched a national campaign for the

commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights, which will take place on 10

December 1998. The Universal Declaration of Human

Rights, with which my country fully associates itself,

represents the commitment by all peoples of the world to

their faith in human dignity. The nationwide celebrations,

encompassing a variety of activities, will afford a unique

opportunity to all Mozambicans — and, indeed, to other

peoples elsewhere — to review and educate themselves

on such an important issue for mankind. It will be an

opportunity to underscore the importance of the non-

selectivity, indivisibility and universality of human rights.

Within that framework, my Government follows with

keen attention the progress being made in the Preparatory

Committee on the Establishment of an International

Criminal Court. The establishment of such a court, with

the purpose of bringing to justice individuals accused of

committing the most heinous crimes, is an important

contribution to the promotion of human rights and

fundamental freedoms. The court must be entrusted with

clear powers in order fully to discharge its mandate. In

particular, its competence and jurisdiction should be

clearly defined in conformity with its objectives and

taking into account the principle of complementarity.

In the African continent, we are participating in

discussions for the establishment of an African court of

human and peoples’ rights. It is our hope that the high-

level meeting scheduled for next year at Addis Ababa will

succeed in finding the needed consensus on all

outstanding issues pertaining to the court.

In the past 12 months, the issue of United Nations

reforms has gained new impetus with new developments

which have taken place quite recently. It is a fact that

there is a broad consensus with regard to the need for

such reforms. Nevertheless, in carrying them out it will be

important to find ways and means that will ensure that the

legitimate rights and aspirations of all Member States, and

in particular the developing countries, are safeguarded.

This is particularly relevant with respect to the proposals

for the enlargement of the Security Council.

Similarly, my Government has taken due note of and

welcomes the reform package presented by the Secretary-

General in his report entitled “Renewing the United

Nations: A Programme for Reform”. The report, the most

comprehensive and far-reaching ever produced in the

annals of the Organization, addresses vital elements that

require in-depth discussion by Member States.

As a country striving to strengthen peace and

security both within its borders and in the regional

context, as well as in the world as a whole, Mozambique

regards preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and post-

conflict peace-building as important elements that must be

11

strengthened in the new international context. In this

connection, we are participating with other countries of the

region in joint efforts aimed at reinforcing our preparedness

for emergencies. We therefore encourage and support the

Secretary-General in his endeavours to enable the United

Nations to deploy peacekeeping operations rapidly.

In the field of human rights, I welcome the proposed

consolidation of the Office of the High Commissioner for

Human Rights and the Centre for Human Rights into a

single new Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Human Rights. I commend the Secretary-

General for this course of action, which is in line with the

sentiments expressed by Member States not only in the

General Assembly but also within the framework of the

Commission on Human Rights. The merging of the two

bodies will in fact eliminate the duplication of tasks and

expenditures and streamline the work of the new,

consolidated body.

On behalf of my Government, I wish to take this

opportunity to congratulate Mrs. Mary Robinson on her

assumption of the post of High Commissioner for Human

Rights. We pledge to her our full support, both within the

context of the Commission on Human Rights, of which

Mozambique is a member, and also within the context of

promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms

worldwide.

With respect to financing our Organization, I fully

agree with the Secretary-General that the current financial

crisis facing us

“is directly linked to the failure of ... Member States

to discharge their ... obligations regarding prompt and

full payment of assessed ... contributions”. [A/51/950,

para. 82]

We would really hope that the very same countries that so

far have failed to fulfil their treaty obligations, will this

time not only pay their dues but also assist the Secretary-

General by contributing to the proposed Revolving Credit

Fund.

I equally commend the proposed establishment of a

development account resulting from reductions in non-

programme costs over the next few years. We regard the

establishment of such an account as an important

contribution in addressing the economic and social needs of

developing countries on a more consistent and predictable

basis.

We also endorse the proposed establishment of the

post of Deputy Secretary-General within the framework

of strengthening the leadership capacity of the Secretariat.

The creation of a Strategic Planing Unit, in our

view, will further enhance the ability of the Secretary-

General to act in accordance with the provisions of the

Article 99 of the Charter. In the light of the new realities,

it is our firm belief that the information gathered by this

Unit will be brought to the attention not only of that body

but also of the General Assembly, in accordance with the

provisions of Articles 10 and 11 of the Charter.

As for the proposed establishment of the “UN

House” under a single United Nations flag, it is important

to ensure that the identity and the vast individual and

unique experience — as well as the expertise —

accumulated by the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund

(UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund

(UNFPA) are preserved. More significantly, the need for

decentralization and flexibility in decision-making at the

country level should be safeguarded and further enhanced

so as to ensure that everyone benefits from the proposed

consolidation. It is my Government’s hope that the new

arrangement will result in a united, cooperative and

coherent framework at the country level. The experience

of coordination of all of the United Nations programmes

and funds in Mozambique is positive and encouraging.

We have taken due note of the proposal for the

establishment of a ministerial-level commission to

examine possible changes in the Charter with a view to

preparing our Organization for the challenges of the next

century. Given the complexity of the issues to be looked

at, the commission should be established on the basis of

geographic representation, after adequate consultations,

and should be provided with clear and precise terms of

reference in order to guarantee that its views are universal

and as consensual as possible.

It is our hope that the proposed reforms — those

being implemented within the purview of the Secretary-

General, as well as the ones under discussion in the

Working Group — will result in greater focus of the

United Nations in the economic and social spheres. Now

that we have gathered consensus on an Agenda for

Development, we need to ensure that appropriate steps are

taken by a reformed, more efficient United Nations to

realize our goals.

12

The trends towards the establishment of regional and

continental blocs require deep cooperation and integrated

economies. Only combined unity of purpose and action can

lend greater leverage and capacity to negotiate and make

economies competitive for investment. This must be

complemented by political stability and an enabling

environment for domestic and foreign investment. We in

southern Africa are joining our efforts towards this goal

within the framework of the Southern African Development

Community (SADC).

These efforts will be further enhanced to a great extent

by the recently established Indian Ocean Rim-Association

for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). The new

organization assembles a variety of countries from Asia and

Africa, plus Australia. Its fundamental principles include

the facilitation and promotion of economic cooperation,

bringing together representatives of government, business

and academia.

My Government follows with renewed interest the

efforts towards the mitigation of conflicts throughout the

world. We are conscious of the fact that economic and

social development are possible only when we live in peace

and political stability. Therefore, prevention, management

and conflict resolution constitute a fundamental issue in our

foreign policy.

In this regard, I wish to associate myself with previous

speakers in congratulating most sincerely the establishment

of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following decades

of uncertainty. We hope that the new authorities will play

a positive role in our collective efforts for regional peace

and stability, particularly in the Great Lakes region. The

challenges facing the new Government are indeed immense

and deserve assistance and support from the international

community.

Likewise, we commend the successful outcome of the

electoral process in Liberia, which symbolizes the

completion of the peace process in that country. We look

forward to the reinvigoration of a united, peaceful and

prosperous country which is ready to contribute to the

effort towards the economic stabilization of the entire

region. It is our hope that the international community will

spare no efforts in assisting Liberia to overcome the tragedy

that has fallen on it for so many years.

The Economic Community of West African States

Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) deserves our special

commendation for the role it has played in the resolution

of the Liberian crisis and for its current efforts in the

restoration of peace and respect for the rule of law in

Sierra Leone.

We equally note with satisfaction the recent progress

made for the settlement of the issue of Western Sahara,

and we encourage the parties concerned to continue down

this positive path.

The peace process in Angola continues to face

serious challenges as a result of the failure of UNITA to

comply fully with the agreed commitments under the

Lusaka Protocol. With the recent adoption of Security

Council resolution 1130 (1997), it is now for this body to

ensure that the provisions of all other relevant resolutions

are fully complied with in order to bring the peace

process back on track and to avoid the continued delays

we have been witnessing over the three years of the

implementation of the Lusaka Protocol.

On the other hand, my Government remains

concerned about the situation in the Congo. We support

the initiative of the heads of State and Government of the

region under the leadership of His Excellency President

Bongo, and we call upon the parties to exercise maximum

restraint in order not to jeopardize any further those

efforts. All parties concerned must set aside their

differences and work together for the attainment of a

negotiated settlement to prevent further suffering of

innocent civilians and destruction of property.

Recent events in the Comoros islands underline the

need for full respect of the independence and territorial

integrity of all States, under any circumstances. We

encourage permanent dialogue among all concerned

parties so as to find a negotiated settlement of the dispute

within the framework of the Organization of African

Unity (OAU) peace initiatives.

On behalf of my Government, I would like to

express our solidarity to the people of East Timor. We do

hope that the ongoing negotiations between Portugal and

Indonesia under the auspices of the Secretary-General of

the United Nations, and other initiatives, will finally lead

to a successful outcome of this issue in accordance with

the principles and purposes of the Charter.

On the Middle East, my Government notes with

concern the deterioration of the security situation in that

13

area, which poses great danger to the efforts to achieve a

comprehensive, just and lasting solution in the region.

Peace cannot be achieved at the expense of other peoples’

interests. The policy of establishing new settlements in the

occupied Arab and Palestinian territories should be

discontinued. As we have said before, the existence of both

Israel and Palestine is an undeniable reality which nobody

should ignore if we are to reach a final settlement of this

long-standing conflict. Dialogue and compliance with

security Council and General Assembly resolutions are the

instruments through which a solution should be found in the

Middle East.

We are also following with interest the developments

concerning the conflict situations in the Persian Gulf region.

In the highest interests of its peoples, we urge all the

parties concerned to act together with a view to finding an

internationally acceptable solution to all outstanding issues,

in accordance with the purposes and principles of the

Charter.

At the dawn of the new millennium, we bear the

responsibility of preparing the United Nations to save not

only succeeding generations from the scourge of war but

also to provide an Organization that will effectively and

efficiently promote cooperation and development. We in

Mozambique are prepared to work towards this goal.