Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 1996

Last

year, we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the United

Nations with much fanfare and glowing tributes. The organs

of this body were dissected and properly examined and the

findings were encouraging. The prevailing opinion is that

the strengths of this institution far outweigh its weaknesses.

However, we cannot be complacent. As our Prime Minister,

the Right Honourable Sir James Mitchell, said when he

addressed the fiftieth session:

“Living institutions, like anything biological, need the

nurture of fresh nutrients, fresh ideas. A living thing

either improves or perishes.” (Official Records of the

General Assembly, Fiftieth Session, Plenary Meetings,

40th meeting, p. 49)

Mr. Razali has assumed the presidency after the period

of stock-taking and at a time when we look with renewed

confidence towards the United Nations. His passion for

innovation will serve him well. As he presides over this re-

energized body, I wish to congratulate him on his election

to the presidency. Let me take this opportunity to extend

to his predecessor our best wishes and deep appreciation

for the competent manner in which he presided over the

last historic session.

As the twenty-first century approaches, we must ask

ourselves the following questions: What of the future?

Will our children survive? Will we be at peace with our

fellow men?

The picture looks bleak. We are still plagued by

persistent poverty, disease, hunger, environmental

degradation and spiritual pollution, wanton acts of

terrorism, the drug menace, domestic disturbances and

regional conflicts.

There is still hope so long as we see each other as

friends and neighbours rather than as competitors. If we

pool our resources for the enhancement of mankind, the

world will be a much better place.

We have witnessed over the past year a trail of

terrorist destruction and death. In our view, all terrorists

are cowards who rely on fear and destabilization to

achieve their sinister ends. What triumph can there be in

the murder and disfiguring of innocent people? This is

obviously the product of sick minds. These faceless

criminals who perform these acts, sometimes with the

tacit approval of authority, have no place in the

community of nations.

My delegation is calling for another conference to

deal with the root causes of terrorism. Such a conference

must involve this entire body so that the views of small

and mighty nations on the matter can be expressed. As

the new century approaches, our children must be able to

play in public parks without having to look over their

shoulders. When we travel, we must be able to view the

passengers next to us as new-found friends rather than

potential executioners.

Why do we continue to stockpile weapons of mass

destruction? The aim of these weapons is to kill. Killing

human beings should not be regarded as a sport. Life will

always be man’s most treasured possession. In our

peaceful region, we are strangers to the world of such

deadly arsenals and will continue to denounce their use.

We are delighted to be associated with the passage of the

Australian resolution on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-

Ban Treaty. Any step, however small, towards the curbing

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of the arms race and the eventual elimination of weapons

must be viewed as positive.

One of the most formidable challenges of our time is

the protection of the environment. The threats which

confront us are daunting; global warming, desertification

and deforestation are among the many. Environmental

protection is the key to our survival. Mankind is faced with

a choice: either save the environment or perish.

The suffering in Burundi, Somalia, Liberia, Rwanda

and Bosnia cannot go unnoticed. The international

community can do much more to help the dispossessed and

the hungry of these troubled lands. After all, should we not

be our brother’s keeper?

I come from a small but proud country. Our people

believe in industry and hard work. The banana industry is

the mainstay of our economy. But our very existence is

under serious threat from forces larger and more powerful

than ourselves. I speak not in anger, only in pain and

helplessness. How else can we feel when those who have

the capacity to help us seek our destruction? If the forces

of indifference and greed were to succeed, our society

would be thrown out of gear and the democracy which we

so cherish will go up in flames.

Our entire population has been sensitized to our

banana woes and the people have vented their frustration by

writing thousands of letters to those who may hold the key

to our survival. We wish to thank all those who have come

to our assistance, be they in Europe or elsewhere, and we

sincerely hope that they will continue to lend a helping

hand.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is deeply concerned

about the use of illegal drugs and drug trafficking. The

magnitude of this problem transcends national boundaries

and calls for increased cooperation on a multilateral level.

The influence of the drug barons runs very deep.

Sometimes they take on the characteristics of power elites.

We firmly believe that renewed international efforts can go

a long way towards the eradication of this menace, which

contaminates both body and mind.

While we welcome the recent elections in Bosnia, we

are troubled by developments in the Persian Gulf. We

sincerely hope that the situation will normalize itself as

soon as possible, since an escalation of the crisis would be

of benefit to no one.

The Middle East is another area of concern. We

hope that the recent peace talks between the Israelis and

the Palestine Liberation Organization will bear fruit.

Much has been achieved over the past two decades and it

is expected that the next century will bring peace to the

troubled people of these ancient lands.

I now turn my attention to the vexing question of the

resumed participation of the Republic of China on Taiwan

in the United Nations. This founding member of the

United Nations has been excluded from this body for a

quarter of a century. How does one reconcile this with the

principles of parallel representation of States and of

universality? It is time for the Republic of China on

Taiwan to be readmitted to this body. In our view, the

country not only possesses the attributes of nationhood,

but it is well endowed to contribute to the development of

Member States of this body. Its economic success is a

model for developing countries. The country has also

made democratic strides. I wish through this forum to

congratulate the Republic of China on Taiwan on the

holding of its first direct presidential election. It is really

a triumph of the democratic process. All States have not

embraced this process.

Despite the adoption and entry into force of the

Convention on the Rights of the Child, we are shocked by

the incidence of gross violations of the fundamental rights

of the child. Sexual abuse, prostitution and child labour

are but a few of the problems that dehumanize our

children. My delegation joins in the call for measures to

be taken, not only for the universal ratification of the

Convention, but also for the effective implementation of

this instrument.

There has been much discussion about the reform of

the Security Council. Brilliant ideas have been put

forward from all quarters. Our own view is that the

Security Council must be restructured to reflect an

equitable geographic distribution. After all, big Powers do

not have a monopoly on knowledge or truth. And in this

body, all nations should be treated as equals.

History has saddled the United Nations with a heavy

burden of responsibility and, as we look towards the

twenty-first century, we must seize every opportunity to

achieve the goals and ideals enshrined in the Charter.

There is a great deal to be done in the area of social and

economic development, but we can do it once we have

the political will and the unity of purpose.

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