Turkey, 1998

This is my first General

Assembly as Prime Minister. I was here as Foreign

Minister, when the waves of change were sweeping away

the cold-war era. I recall the optimism shared by many

about a more humane and harmonious international system.

I remember the sounds of joy as freedom, democracy and

the market economy rang victorious on a global scale.

Indeed, significant changes have taken place since

then. New States have joined the family of nations. A

broader and deeper commitment to contemporary values has

taken root. The international climate long dictated by

ideological divisions has withered away. At no time in

recent history have nations become so close to each other

around shared values.

Yet this is not the full story. The late twentieth

century is full of paradoxes and competing currents. For the

fortunate among us, the world has never offered more —

better education, better health care, greater prosperity. But

these fruits are denied to the vast majority of the planet?s

population. The number of people who live in dire poverty

is growing.

Admittedly, our overall security environment has

improved. But the resurgence of aggression, extreme

ethnic nationalism, tribalism, religious fundamentalism,

racism, xenophobia and cultural discrimination pose new

threats to international peace and stability. Cultural and

religious intolerance is breeding more conflicts than ever

before. International terrorism, openly sponsored by some

States, has become a formidable threat to civilized

societies. The interconnected groups that engage in

terrorism, organized crime and drug-smuggling challenge

our security and well-being.

The threat of nuclear confrontation between the

super-Powers has been eliminated; the danger of the

proliferation of weapons of mass destruction still looms

on the horizon.

The two contradictory trends in the world — one

towards fragmentation and conflict, the other towards

globalization and cooperation — require a careful and

sober analysis. This new dialectic defines the framework

in which we have to operate. The integrity of the nation

State, and the demands of an even more interdependent

world must be harmonized and balanced.

The United Nations was our collective response to

the challenges of the past. It was built on the ashes of the

Second World War. The bitter experiences of that war left

their imprint on the Charter, the rules that govern its work

and its structure. To its credit, this Organization has

helped bring peace, prosperity and hope to millions of

people around the globe. Indeed, over a span of 53 years

the United Nations has managed very complex

humanitarian emergencies, from civil wars to the mass

movement of refugees and health epidemics. For millions

of people around the world, the United Nations is not a

faceless institution. It is the difference between peace and

war. It is food for those on the borderline of starvation

and medicine to those on the brink of death. But, above

all, the United Nations remains our hope for a better,

peaceful and secure future.

In this time of challenge and change, the United

Nations is more important than ever. It is here at the

United Nations that we must fight together against the

forces of destruction. It is here that we must strive to

strengthen democratic institutions, to further promote and

protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and

to punish those responsible for crimes against humanity.

It is here that we must open the door to development

for many nations trapped in poverty. Their misery is a

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challenge to all of us. But, above all, the United Nations

must promote justice so that peace may endure.

As we stand at the threshold of a new millennium, it

is our duty to chart a new course for the United Nations

and set a common standard for the behaviour of nations.

I suggest that we should focus greater effort on the

following areas.

The first is preventing conflicts in potential crisis

areas. I believe there is no shortage of information on a

brewing crisis. By the time a crisis is addressed at the

United Nations, it has already taken on critical proportions

and often reached a point of no return. Bosnia is the most

tragic example. Regional organizations should play a more

effective role in defusing tensions from their onset.

Regional organizations and the United Nations should

establish an effective mechanism for coordination and

consultation.

The second area is peace-building. We must devise a

new approach to peace-building to provide lasting security.

Even when a ceasefire is holding or elections have taken

place, the social and institutional grounds appear to be very

shaky. The United Nations must have both a programme

and experts to help countries emerge from conflicts.

The third area is sustainable development. If the

United Nations is to maintain its credibility for its

Members, it must enable people to lift themselves out of

poverty. There must be more effective coordination between

United Nations aid, international efforts and contributions

from donor countries. Obviously, funding is a major

concern, but a coordinated and streamlined strategy is

equally important.

The emphasis recently placed by the United Nations

on the problems of Africa is an encouraging starting point.

It should give direction to our efforts to eliminate poverty

in all regions where we witness human misery.

The fourth area is one standard for all. Despite all

solemn declarations, international conventions and the legal

framework, there seems to be no end in sight to

discriminatory practices and double standards. The division

of the world along religious, ethnic and cultural fault lines

is an invitation to disaster. We must all ensure that no

nation in the world feels discriminated against on the

grounds of its cultural or religious identity.

My final point pertains to the fight against terrorism.

We have to eliminate this major threat to our citizens and

nations. I share the views expressed by President Clinton.

We have to place the combat against terrorism at the top

of our agenda. There must be no excuses, no false

justifications.

The demands on the United Nations have grown

enormously. We all agree that reform is vital. We support

the Secretary-General in his substantive reforms. We

believe that reform must be comprehensive. It must also

include the reform of the Security Council. Piecemeal

efforts and inadequate measures do not offer a solution.

The representative character of the Security Council must

be enhanced to meet the expectations of the largest

segment of the United Nations membership. The Council

must become more responsive and transparent. Reform

must render this organ more accountable, effective and

democratic, so that it can exercise authority and offer

moral guidance.

Turkish foreign policy is defined by a blend of our

history, culture and geostrategic location at the crossroads

of Asia and Europe. It corresponds to the aspirations of

our people for peace, stability and prosperity. As a secular

democratic country with a predominantly Muslim

population, we combine our national heritage with a

strong commitment to modernism.

On all the issues and disputes that figure on the

agenda of the international community, our policies are

clear and consistent. We oppose aggression and believe

that any breach of international law and legitimacy must

not be condoned. We have always advocated the

resolution of disputes through peaceful means and

dialogue. Turkey has been an active actor in the efforts to

contribute to the peaceful settlement of outstanding

disputes. We participate extensively in peacekeeping and

peace enforcement operations.

We live in a region where there are major currents

of instability and conflict. Indeed, almost every major

issue that consumes the international community — from

the Balkans to the Caucasus, from the Middle East to the

Gulf — affects our security and well-being. Conscious of

these challenges, we have assumed an important role in

contributing to the efforts aimed at peacefully resolving

conflicts and preserving security and stability. We are

actively promoting regional peace through regional

cooperation initiatives. Both the Black Sea Economic

Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization

are cases in point.

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The Balkan region is a test case with regard to the

challenges we face in the post-cold-war era. It is here that

we must prove that multicultural and multi-ethnic societies

have a chance to live in peace and harmony. We thought

that we had all drawn our bitter lessons from the tragedy of

Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must never allow it to happen

again.

However, the recent violence in Kosovo is similar to

what transpired in Bosnia and Herzegovina; it is of the

same making, the result of the same mentality. Within the

territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

Kosovo must regain its autonomous status in a manner that

satisfies all the ethnic groups.

Regional stability is a prerequisite for international

peace. That is why we have taken a number of initiatives

to resolve outstanding problems with some of our

neighbours. A problem that has preoccupied Turkish-

Bulgarian relations for almost half a century has recently

been resolved successfully in good faith by the two

countries. This achievement demonstrates vividly that even

the most complex issues can be resolved if there is political

will and courage on both sides.

Several interrelated problems, mostly pertaining to the

Aegean and inherited from the past, continue to mar

Turkish-Greek relations. It is our ardent hope that these

questions will be addressed between the two countries

through a meaningful dialogue, without excluding any

United Nations-agreed method of peaceful settlement. We

call upon the Government of Greece to dedicate itself to a

dialogue with Turkey.

The question of Cyprus is at a critical juncture. The

course pursued by Greece and the Greek Cypriots poses a

serious threat to the security of the Turkish Republic of

Northern Cyprus and of Turkey. It is also detrimental to

peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean.

On the military front, the policies of the Greek/Greek

Cypriot camp have heightened tensions on the island. The

clock is ticking for the deployment of the S-300 missile

system.

On the political front, the decision of the European

Union to start accession negotiations with the Greek

Cypriot side has altered all the parameters and the

established framework for a settlement. Regrettably, this

process serves only to perpetuate the division of the island.

Turkey fully supports the initiative tabled at this

critical time by President Denktas¸ on 31 August 1998.

This proposal of historic importance foresees the

establishment of a Cyprus confederation. We believe this

proposal provides a perspective for a just and lasting

settlement. It corresponds to the realities of the island. It

protects the vital and legitimate interests of all the parties

concerned. It aims at preserving the integrity of the

island. It is in line with the United Nations approach to

reaching a freely negotiated and mutually acceptable

settlement to the Cyprus issue.

We believe that the proposed confederation can

finally open an avenue for peace and reconciliation based

on a common destiny for the two peoples in Cyprus.

The impasse in the Middle East peace process and

the continuing plight of the Palestinian people are a

source of great concern for Turkey. An incomplete peace

exposes the Middle East to the risks of further instability.

It also dims the prospects for the people of the region to

enjoy an economically and socially sound future.

Turkey is a friend of the Arab nations. We share a

common history and a rich cultural heritage. We value

these strong bonds. Turkey is also a friend of Israel. We

are, therefore, all the more concerned by the lack of

progress in bringing a permanent state of peace and

stability to the Middle East.

In the same vein, we look forward to the

reintegration into the international community of Iraq,

with its territorial integrity intact, through the full

implementation of the Security Council resolutions and

the lifting of the sanctions.

The crisis in Afghanistan also threatens peace and

stability within the wider context of the region. The

Afghan conflict can only be overcome through inter-

Afghan dialogue and the establishment of a broad-based

Government. The United Nations should have a central

role in this regard.

The overall situation in the Caucasus is a major

destabilizing factor. It has a direct bearing on our security

and well-being. We call for the urgent settlement of the

Nagorny Karabakh dispute and the termination of the

Armenian occupation of Azeri territory. The Armenian

leadership must commit itself to the efforts of the Minsk

Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation

in Europe. It is our sincere conviction that the interests of

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the Armenian people will be better served by focusing on

a peaceful future, rather than militancy.

Peace and stability in the Caucasus also require the

resolution of the Georgian/Abkhaz conflict, with full respect

for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are our neighbours,

with which we wish to work together for our common

prosperity and security.

At the threshold of a new millennium, our agenda for

the twenty-first century must be inspired by the vision of

the founding fathers. We must rededicate ourselves to the

purposes and principles of the Charter. We must fulfil our

pledge to succeeding generations. To this end, we must join

our forces to maintain international peace and security.

Turkey, for its part, is prepared to assume its share as

an actor in the preservation of international peace, security

and prosperity. In fact, I would like to take this opportunity

to state from this rostrum that we are a serious contender

for the Security Council in the year 2000. Turkey is eager

to place its assets at the service of regional and global

peace and stability as a member of the Council.

The Charter is a contract among nations to combine

our efforts to realize the aspirations and goals of the

peoples of the world. It is high time that we fulfilled its

terms. It is also time to build on the progress we have made

for the cause of peace, security and prosperity of the global

community. We must now give a new direction to our

efforts. As the world turns a new leaf, let us rise to the

occasion.