San Marino, 1994

I wonder how historians

will judge the last decade of this century, and what future

generations will read about these years. My opinion is

that we are experiencing an exciting period of arduous

challenges and great expectations for peace.

The installation of the administration of the

Palestinian National Authority in Jericho gave us strong

hope for a peaceful future.

The excessive crises and wars that have recently and

suddenly broken out and the revival and intensification of

old ones in too many parts of our planet call for the

involvement and intervention of the international

community. Let me also stress that not only should such

intervention be firm, but it should also be legitimate and

correct. In the effort to restore peace, the international

community should act fairly, respecting the legitimate

reasons and opposing the illegitimate ones, with all due

regard for man and human dignity.

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General Assembly 22nd meeting

From the top of our Mount Titano, on a clear day, one

can see the coast of the former Yugoslavia. In the fourth

century, San Marino’s founder fled from that coast to

escape religious persecution.

Now, in this forum, on behalf of the people of San

Marino, I launch an appeal for peace for those tormented

regions, for Sarajevo, and for the recognition of the equal

rights of all human beings, without distinction of any kind,

as well as for the dignity of those deprived of their right to

life.

The public response to the important Conference on

Population and Development, which brought representatives

of many countries to Cairo in an effort to solve some of the

problems hindering the fair and balanced development of all

peoples, has now faded away. The decisions taken during

that Conference, whose aims have been distorted and

misinterpreted, are only a small step forward. However, it

is encouraging to see how it has been generally recognized

that our common concerns cannot and must not lie only in

a necessary reduction of rapid population growth. All the

problems related to this issue must be addressed, thus

ensuring all people’s rights to existence, to good health and

free development, and the disposal of their resources as

they see fit.

The Republic of San Marino participated in the

Conference, which was held in Egypt, prompted by the

conviction that it was its duty to offer a contribution. My

fellow citizens are well aware that a small country like ours

will never be in a position to play a substantial role in the

choices to be made and the decisions to be taken.

Nevertheless, our foreign policy is clear, and reflects our

deep-rooted historical traditions.

In line with the policy adopted, we feel compelled to

call for respect for human rights and dignity. The latter

implies the right to make free choices, the right to

development, to democratic progress, equality, equal

opportunities, and the right to live in peace.

It seems that the United Nations has given to the

Cairo, Copenhagen and Beijing conferences the task of

outlining a feasible solution to all the problems related to

social development and the status of women.

It is clear that in declaring 1994 the International Year

of the Family the General Assembly made a precise and

well-considered choice. By this decision the Assembly’s

aim was to celebrate an essential part of society, in the

conviction that the family, the smallest democracy at the

centre of society, is the first and most important element

of any country’s structure and deserves special attention

by all States. In a national and international context

characterized by a disquieting crisis of values, by

increasing economic and social difficulties and by a

growing lack of models for young people, the family,

with its various historical, cultural and religious

components, represents the last hope for mankind.

Against this background, all Governments have the

primary task of formulating policies capable of helping

and supporting the family and its components while

respecting its autonomy and specific features. The

Republic of San Marino considers all family issues to be

of the utmost importance, and it has recently taken new

measures for the protection of motherhood and

fatherhood, in addition to the laws already in force. The

widespread development we all hope to achieve has its

roots in the family, in respect for it and within it, and

means in practice gender equality and equal dignity

between men and women.

On the other hand, development and its equitable

distribution can be obtained only if our projects include

the safeguarding of the environment. It is a notorious

fact that too often protection of the natural environment

is sacrificed for economic and national reasons that

damage the interests of other people and the common

well-being. The richest and most industrialized countries

are regularly destroying the natural environment inside

and outside their borders.

Therefore, we deemed it necessary and fair to

include the environment, along with peace, economic

growth, social justice and democracy, as items on the

Agenda for Development — the project proposed by the

Secretary-General for the solution of the problems that

will face our planet within the next century.

In my country especially, where the protection of the

territory is of basic importance because of its small size,

public opinion in general and young people in particular

are extremely sensitive to environmental issues and ask

that choices be made that respect the interests of the

community and the individual in a spirit of true solidarity.

In San Marino we have created the Foundation for the

Environment, with very ambitious programmes, and we

hope in the future to have the cooperation and support of

the United Nations.

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General Assembly 22nd meeting

We all share the opinion that economic development

goes hand in hand with social development. Therefore, it

is high time for all States to adopt appropriate social

policies and develop structures in support of the poorest and

weakest groups of the population. Unfortunately,

unemployment, poverty, the absence of economic security

for the elderly, and exploitation of labour are still a very

sad, indeed tragic, reality.

My appeal to the world for solidarity is not just

rhetorical. Solidarity is not only spiritual sharing but also,

and above all, the substantial support offered by the rich

countries to the poor ones, the solidarity of the upper

classes with the lower classes, and even distribution of

welfare, equal rights and opportunities. Solidarity not only

means substantial aid but also implies tolerance, a noble

feeling but one that is hard to achieve.

We are still witnessing with amazement shameful anti-

Semitic, xenophobic and racist attitudes, showing that a

culture of tolerance, dialogue and respect has still to be

developed at all levels. The concept seems to me to be

very simple: all men are equal and no one can claim to be

superior. However, respect for others seems to be difficult

to achieve, since it cannot be imposed by law or by a

Government decision. This ambitious goal can be attained

only through an educational process even if a long-lasting

one — that involves future generations and calls upon

national and supranational institutions to carry out their own

responsibilities.

The United Nations is surely in a position to meet

these challenges and to offer the right and appropriate

solutions to the States. The role played by the United

Nations as it approaches its fiftieth anniversary — an event

we are about to celebrate — confirms all that.

International peace and security, the solution of many

domestic crises, the settlement of disputes, the beginning of

social and economic development, respect for human rights,

humanitarian help, decolonization and other legal rules in

international relations are all fields in which the United

Nations is working. However, continuous attention to all

the achievements of the United Nations is needed.

The Organization, by adapting its structure to new

circumstances and needs, will be able to offer a stronger

commitment and to be the authoritative and dynamic guide

the world needs for the future.

Furthermore, San Marino gives particular importance

to a reform of the Security Council that will lead to an

equitable distribution of its seats and to a greater

transparency in its work. The proper functioning of the

Security Council, its close and coordinated relationship

with the General Assembly, and the widest possible

representation are the best guarantees that the United

Nations will be able to carry out its tasks.

In this context I believe it is appropriate to

remember that small States, willing and capable of

making a contribution, must enjoy equal rights and

dignity, since both the big Powers and the various small

communities are interested in the peaceful future of the

world, in the establishment of democracy and in the

strengthening of freedom.

More than 50 years ago, in June 1944, the world

conflict brought death and ruin even to the neutral

mountain of San Marino, which had no part in the

conflict and where thousands of poor refugees, deprived

of everything except their lives, had sought shelter. The

appeal for peace launched almost 50 years ago by the

signatories of the San Francisco Charter is still

dramatically up to date. Some might think that a peaceful

world is a mere Utopia, and they might be right. But I

am firmly convinced that everyone must contribute to the

achievement of this wonderful Utopia.