Algeria, 2004

I feel

especially proud as an African to see that Mr. Jean Ping

is presiding over this session of the General Assembly.

I believe that his qualities as a human being and his

vast experience are a valuable asset to the United

Nations at a difficult time in international relations,

when the Organization must play an even greater role

in accordance with its mission and the expectations of

the peoples of the world. In order to discharge fully its

responsibilities and the tasks entrusted to it, the United

Nations must now adjust and adapt, and must reform

the structures and machinery that will enable it to

strengthen its capacity for action.

There is still much tension in the international

situation; indeed, new sources of instability and

uncertainty are appearing. A comprehensive approach

is required, given the inextricable interdependence of

all those issues on all levels - political, economic,

social and cultural. Today more than ever, security is

one and indivisible. Security cannot even be conceived

of without a determined struggle against terrorism. It

cannot shirk the requirement that it step up efforts for

conflict settlement and prevention, nor can it disregard

the pressing need to encourage worldwide development

that is balanced, equitable and sustainable. It must be

based on genuine dialogue - a dialogue between

religions, cultures and civilizations.

There is no doubt at all that excellent work has

been done, since the struggle against terrorism became

the absolute priority of the international community.

Yet, despite the efforts made and resources put towards

that struggle, there remains much to be done. In

particular, it is essential that we reach agreement

quickly on a common definition of terrorism so that we

can be clear about the legitimacy of the struggle of

peoples against foreign occupation and can stop

accepting distorted, confused, ill-conceived viewpoints

that see terrorism as part of just one geographical

region, religion, culture or civilization. Drafting a

comprehensive convention against terrorism is more

urgent and important than ever before. It is something

we have been calling for now, for more than ten years.

Very close to Algeria, there is a conflict between

the Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco that

has been going on for almost 30 years. It is a

decolonization issue that has not been resolved. The

United Nations has clearly established that Western

Sahara remains a non-self-governing territory under

Security Council resolution 1541 (2004). As in the case

of Brunei, Surinam, Belize and Timor-Leste, the peace

plan was unanimously accepted by the Security

Council and provides a just and definitive framework

for a settlement, through the Saharawi peopleís free

exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination.

In seeking a satisfactory solution, Algeria has

always supported the Secretary-General of the United

Nations and his personal envoy, Mr. James Baker, who

has truly earned the respect of our Organization for his

tireless efforts. Algeria will continue to support the

United Nations peace plan and remains fully available

to contribute towards the implementation of the plan,

in order to strengthen stability in our region and

solidarity among our peoples.

Here I would reiterate that Algeria cannot decide

the future of the Western Sahara for its people and does

not want to do so. Any attempt to address the issue of

the Western Sahara in a context other than that of

completing the decolonization process - part of the

responsibility of the United Nations - will result in

the failure of that process and will delay a final

settlement.

Intensive efforts are underway within the African

Union to ensure peace and security in Africa, efforts

that are leading to prospects for settlement of regional

conflicts. Those efforts reflect Africaís firm resolve to

become part of a new era of stability, security and

progress.

The conditions for establishing a genuinely

balanced and mutually beneficial partnership between

Africa and its partners through the New Partnership for

Africaís Development (NEPAD), have never been as

favourable as they are today. A promising change in

that relationship is now emerging and gaining

importance. For that reason it is extremely important to

continue encouraging Africa as it seeks to succeed in

its work towards peace, development and integration,

which it has firmly started.

31

In the occupied Palestinian territories the peace

process is deadlocked, more than ever before. It is now

more difficult to find a just and lasting solution to the

Arab-Israeli conflict because of the brutal repression of

Palestinian civilians; endless attacks against the

Palestinian Authority, its institutions and its leaders;

the continuation of a settlement policy; the building of

the separation wall, in violation of international law as

affirmed by the International Court of Justice; Israelís

rejection of obligations entered into in Oslo and its

manoeuvering to take everything of substance away

from the road map.

In that same region, the Iraqi people face a tragic

situation and many complex challenges that require the

support of the international community and the United

Nations.

At the dawn of the millennium, we all undertook

to take up the challenges that we wanted to face

together through a responsible global partnership. In all

sincerity, can we be content with the meager results

achieved to date? It is our hope that the summit in

2005, incidentally the sixtieth anniversary of the

United Nations, will be an opportunity for us to

confirm our commitments and to finally take the bold

steps that are needed to translate commitments into

action, to eradicate poverty, destitution and

deprivation, promote sustainable development and

ensure peace and stability for all peoples.