Vietnam, 1995

Allow me at the outset, on behalf of the

delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to

congratulate Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral on his election

as President of the General Assembly at this session, a

historic session that coincides with the fiftieth anniversary

of the United Nations. I am confident that under his

guidance, our session will be crowned with success.

Let me take this opportunity also to convey our

appreciation for the dynamic and effective activities

undertaken by his predecessor, His Excellency Minister

Amara Essy. We would like to express our appreciation

also for the perseverance shown by His Excellency Mr.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali in serving the common cause of all

nations for peace, national independence and

development.

This session of the General Assembly is a special

occasion for us to look back at the changes in the world

and at the growth of the United Nations over the past 50

years, since the end of the Second World War. Out of

the tumultuous course of mankind’s history in those 50

years, let us identify what has changed, what has not, and

what cannot change. Only with such a clear vision will

we be able to chart our course into the twenty-first

century and to find the confidence to build a United

Nations that can meet the expectations of all of us.

While the first half of the twentieth century has left

in the mind of mankind the haunting memories of two

dreadful world wars, in the second half of this century,

despite the fierce local wars that have taken place — such

as those in Indochina, Korea and Viet Nam — nations

have been spared the horrors of a global conflagration.

Moreover, after several decades of an unbridled arms

race, the world has chosen the course of reason, striving

for the long-term goal of general and complete

disarmament, especially with regard to nuclear weapons

and other weapons of mass destruction.

The recent indefinite extension of the Treaty on the

Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons gave rise to much

hope. However, the nuclear testing undertaken right

afterwards caused disillusion in international public

opinion and has made it imperative for all nations — first

and foremost the nuclear-weapon States — to redouble

their efforts in a fully responsible manner, so as to

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complete the comprehensive test-ban treaty in the course of

the next year.

While the threat of a new world war and a nuclear

holocaust is receding, peace and security remain elusive for

many regions and countries beset by racial, ethnic and

religious conflicts, and terrorist activities that take on

disquieting proportions. In the intractable case of Bosnia

and Herzegovina, a peaceful solution should be pursued,

without the imposition of measures, from any quarter

whatsoever, that may complicate the situation further and

cause more suffering to the multi-ethnic population of

Bosnia.

The past half-century can also be said to have been a

shining chapter in the history of the struggle of peoples to

regain their national independence, sovereignty and the

right to be the masters of their own destinies, and to strive

for well-being, freedom and equality within the

international community. The international community has

been following very closely the peace process in the Middle

East and welcomes its recent progress. Only strong political

will and respect for the fundamental national rights of the

Palestinian people and the legitimate interests of all the

parties concerned can bring about lasting stability in this

region of the world.

In practice, however, the basic and universal principles

of sovereignty and sovereign equality continue to be

ignored or violated by reason of the unequal and

undemocratic set-up of international relations and through

impositions upon, and interference in, the internal affairs of

other countries, for different reasons and with a variety of

justifications.

At the end of this twentieth century, thanks to

mankind’s achievements in science and technology and in

communication and production, and thanks also to the hard

work of all nations, our world as a whole has become more

prosperous and more alive, with the manifold increase in

material and non-material flows and exchanges, thus

facilitating better mutual understanding and closer

relationships among nations. However, our conscience

cannot rest easy in view of a reality that we cannot ignore:

the fact that one-fifth of mankind still lives in abject

poverty, and the challenges posed by the enormous gap

between the annual per capita gross national product for the

least developed countries — less than $200 — and that of

advanced industrialized countries, which is more than a

hundred times higher. Furthermore, all nations, no matter

where in the world, face global problems that threaten our

economic achievements and the progress made in

enhancing the quality of life.

Nowadays, mankind has a clearer, more holistic

awareness of development, peace and security. We

understand better the close correlation and interaction

between economic development and social development,

between internal security and external security, and

between economic, social and military security.

Another reality of the world today, which is of far-

reaching significance to each nation and individual, is the

increasing role of international law, which binds nations

and circumscribes and harmonizes the behaviour of States

through multilateral instruments and institutions. Such a

role is all the more crucial in the light of the tendency to

blur the boundaries between national and international

jurisdiction, as well as to extend the enforcement of one

country’s laws beyond its borders. Recently, international

opinion has been increasingly concerned about the fact

that the implementation of United Nations sanctions is

shifting towards punishment or retribution for private

political motives, in contravention of the purposes

originally assigned by the Charter. Nor can public opinion

remain unconcerned by the fact that sanctions in reality

affect mainly the life and health of the innocent civilian

population, and therefore cannot accept the prolongation

of sanctions regardless of their effectiveness and

consequences. In view of this, international opinion

cannot but protest the imposition of unilateral sanctions

for several decades, such as is the case of the embargo

against Cuba. We express our sincere sympathy for the

hardships experienced by the Cuban people and strongly

urge that the embargo against Cuba be lifted, and that the

relevant resolutions of the General Assembly be promptly

and effectively implemented.

In short, 50 years after the Second World War, the

world offers us a scene of vivid contrasts between

continuity and change, between stagnation and

development, between division and integration, especially

the vast and profound integration that unfolds before us

under the impact of the trend towards interdependence,

regionalization and globalization. Moreover, the powerful

vitality and steadfast determination which drive peoples

to preserve their national traditions and cultural identities

demonstrate their will to safeguard from within the

inevitable process of international integration something

stable and lasting, which links the present of each nation

to the roots of its traditions, and the need to affirm the

singularity of each society, each nation and each

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community, and not only of each individual. The history of

the past 50 years is a clear testimony thereof.

Over the past half century, the United Nations has

weathered the tests and trials of the cold war and of the

immediate post-cold-war years to endure and grow. Its

indispensable role as a centre for harmonizing the actions

of nation States in a world characterized by rapid and

complex changes and increasing interdependence has been

recognized by all Members.

As I have mentioned, the United Nations has recorded

some encouraging achievements for peace and development,

for equality and justice. However, given the speed and

scope of changes taking place in the world, it must be

recognized that the United Nations has failed to reform and

adjust itself in keeping with the new situation and with the

trend of the times, and thus to address the needs of nations.

We are of the view that the peace-keeping operations of the

United Nations must strictly observe the principle of respect

for independence, sovereignty and non-interference in the

internal affairs of States, and should go hand in hand with

the persevering search for a peaceful solution. The United

Nations ought to draw the lessons of the successes and

failures of its recent peace-keeping operations so as to

better discharge the responsibility entrusted to it by the

community of its Member States. It is certain that in a few

weeks, during the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of

the United Nations, our Heads of State and Government

will voice the hopes that the peoples of the world place in

our Organization. For this reason, it is imperative that we

turn the United Nations into an effective instrument to serve

the common ideals and interests of mankind in the next

century. The challenge for the United Nations, as it tackles

the burning issues of today’s world, is to continue

upholding the progressive spirit enshrined in its Charter and

adequately to implement, with all due attention, both the

“Agenda for Peace” and the “Agenda for Development”,

overcoming the discrepancy between the desirable and the

possible so that the United Nations can be a true

representative — in the fullest sense of the term — of the

expectations and interests of its Members, in its structure

and organization, its agenda, its mandate and its mode of

operation. This requires that the General Assembly should

play an “essential role” as the Secretary-General reminded

us at the opening of this session, namely that by virtue of

the principle of “equal rights ... of nations large and small”,

it is the General Assembly that is endowed with the

democratic legitimacy of our global Organization.

Mr. Kittikhoun (Lao People’s Democratic Republic),

We agree with the overall thrust of the draft

declaration on the fiftieth anniversary of the United

Nations and believe that it is particularly important to

reaffirm the principles of respect for independence,

sovereignty and sovereign equality, territorial integrity and

non-interference in the jurisdiction and the internal affairs

of nations, the peaceful settlement of disputes and non-

use of force or threat to use force. At the same time, the

positive role that the United Nations has played and

should continue to play in helping nations exercise their

right to self-determination and to development should not

be forgotten. The declaration should not fail to address

two topical issues. One is the need for a Security Council

that is more effective, more representative and transparent

in its workings, while the other is the need for adequate

resources to enable the United Nations fully to carry out

its mandate. Viet Nam recognizes a plain fact of everyday

life, which is that whoever contributes more shall be

entitled to more rights. But conversely, whoever has more

rights will have to show greater responsibility. Therefore,

the richest countries should set an example by meeting

their financial obligations in full and on time, which is of

vital significance for our Organization at this juncture. We

particularly agree with the stress placed by the draft

declaration on poverty as the scourge visited upon billions

of people on our planet, as well as on the human person

as the centre of the whole development process. Those

are only some preliminary observations.

In this incredibly changing world, the Asia-Pacific

region in general and South-East Asia in particular are

entering a new era with profound changes and great

promises for peaceful cooperation and dynamic

development. Most striking is the common consciousness

and efforts of the whole region directed towards building

a peaceful and stable environment conducive to the

development of each country in the region and of the

region as a whole. As a country in the dynamic region

and a member of the Association of South-East Asian

Nations (ASEAN), Viet Nam will make positive

contributions toward those common objectives.

Viet Nam’s official membership in ASEAN since

last July, the participation of Laos and Cambodia as

observers and Myanmar’s accession to the Bali Treaty

have opened up prospects for further strengthening

cooperation throughout the region and for expanding

ASEAN into an association of all 10 countries of the

region. These are the foundation and components of a

South-East Asia of peace, stability and prosperity.

Together with the other countries concerned, the ASEAN

countries recently held the second ASEAN Regional

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Forum, at which the participating countries agreed to

promote cooperation on an equal footing among all parties,

by taking the appropriate measures, and in the short term

by stepping up confidence-building measures in order to

consolidate peace and security in the region.

Alongside that favourable overall trend, there are

potentially destabilizing factors in the region. The dispute

in the Eastern Sea and other recent developments remain a

source of concern for countries both within and outside the

region. Regarding this issue, we would like to reaffirm once

again our position, which is that the disputes in the Eastern

Sea should be settled through peaceful negotiations in

accordance with the principles contained in the Manila

Declaration adopted by ASEAN in 1992, as confirmed at

the recent ASEAN ministerial meeting in Brunei, and in

conformity with international law, especially the 1982

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which

entered into force at the end of 1994. Pending a

fundamental and lasting solution to these disputes, all

parties concerned should maintain the status quo and refrain

from any action that might further complicate the situation,

especially the use or threat of use of force.

For Viet Nam, 1995 has been a year of great historic

significance. As we join the rest of the international

community in preparing for the fiftieth anniversary of the

United Nations, our people are solemnly celebrating several

other major events, especially the fiftieth anniversary of the

proclamation of our independence. During the past half

century, our people have endured tremendous human

sacrifice and material loss in order to safeguard our national

independence. To rebuild and develop our homeland, we

have overcome innumerable tests and trials, as well as the

extremely heavy consequences of long and fierce wars.

Thanks to the determination of the whole nation united in

mind and in action, our reform and renewal process, now

in its tenth year, has achieved major initial results, thus

making it possible to move to a new stage of development:

the industrialization and modernization of our country.

Recent years have seen the continuous development of

our economy, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2

per cent, an annual increase in exports of 20 per cent, and

a 40 per cent annual increase in foreign investment. The

standard of living is steadily improving. Economic

development is increasingly linked with social and cultural

development. Our objective is to build a strong and

prosperous Viet Nam with an equitable and civilized

society. Alongside our economic reforms, we have carried

out political reforms to build a State governed by the rule

of law, and which is of the people, by the people and for

the people. On the basis of our 1992 Constitution, we

have promulgated a series of laws, codes and legal

decrees in order ever more completely to ensure the rights

and interests of all citizens, and at the same time to create

a firm legal basis for governing the country. These all-

round achievements constitute a firm guarantee of social

and political stability and lay the foundation needed for

future sustainable development.

Along with reform in all aspects of social life, Viet

Nam has consistently pursued its foreign policy of broad

openness, the thrust of which is to diversify and

multilateralize its external relations in order to create a

stable environment and external conditions conducive to

the task of building and defending the country, and to

enhance Viet Nam’s position on the international scene.

To implement this policy, Viet Nam has established

diplomatic relations with nearly 160 countries, including

all the world’s major Powers and leading economic and

political centres. Viet Nam’s accession to full membership

of ASEAN, the signing of an agreement of cooperation

with the European Union, and the normalization and

establishment of full diplomatic relations with the United

States all took place in July this year. That was no

coincidence, but was the outcome of a whole process of

implementing a foreign policy inspired by a new spirit, by

which Viet Nam is willing to be the friend of all nations

in the international community, and to strive for peace,

national independence and development. This provides

eloquent testimony to the correctness of our foreign

policy and to its consonance with the trends of our times.

As it broadens its relations with all countries, Viet

Nam is also endeavouring consistently to improve and

strengthen relations with international organizations,

including the international financial and monetary

institutions, and is ready to participate in regional and

global cooperation organizations. Following the

normalization of its relations with the International

Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asia

Development Bank and its participation in the ASEAN

Free Trade Area, Viet Nam is now actively preparing to

join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and

the World Trade Organization at an appropriate time. Viet

Nam continues to maintain close and effective

cooperation with the United Nations and with specialized

agencies of the United Nations system.

The achievements of its foreign policy provide a

new impetus for Viet Nam to accelerate the process of

regional and global integration, and to participate more

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effectively in global forums and institutions, with a view to

tackling the pressing problems facing all mankind, and to

contributing meaningfully to the common endeavour of the

international community to achieve peace, national

independence, friendship, cooperation among States and

development.

Today and in the weeks to come, from every point on

the horizon, peoples of the world, regardless of language,

race or culture, are turning to this Hall, where the

representatives of 185 countries are assembled at a historic

moment marking half a century of the United Nations with

the ardent hope and expectation that the Organization will

truly enter a new era, in which its own motto, “United for

a better world” can become a reality. There is no promise

more dear to our hearts and no commitment more solemn

than our determination to prepare ourselves for the common

journey into the twenty-first century, to realize the noble

purposes of the Charter of the United Nations for a better

world and for a fairer and more reasonable world order that

will meet the ardent hopes of the present generation and

that will build a sound foundation for succeeding

generations.