Bhutan, 2001

I congratulate the

President on his assumption of the difficult role of

guiding the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session.

This session is being held during one of the saddest

moments in the history of our Organization. Let me

assure the President of the full support of my

delegation in the discharge of his most important

functions.

The twenty-first century will forever be

remembered for the fiery hell that engulfed the world

on that dark day of a cloudless sky on 11 September.

The horrific images of passenger aircraft flying to their

doom to cause great death, grief and despair to

countless people will always be a scar on our

individual and collective memory. Surely, failure to

bring to justice those guilty of that crime, and those

who follow the same path, would mean our collective

submission to an endless reign of terror and to fearful

darkness.

It is the wish of the Government and the people

of Bhutan that I should, once again, express our

solidarity with the Government and the people of the

United States and convey our heartfelt sympathy to

those who have suffered the irreparable loss of their

loved and dear ones. We admire the way in which the

people of this great nation have come together to rise to

the challenges that the tragic events have left in their

wake. We pay tribute to the brave and the selfless who

laid down their own lives as they fought to save those

of others. Our hearts and minds are with the city of

New York, which has not only been a gracious host to

the United Nations, but is unparalleled in its generosity

in giving shelter, livelihood, hope and joy to people of

all races and creeds. Indeed, it came as no surprise that

the scale of the tragedy made itself felt not only in the

devastatingly high number of victims, but in the fact

that people from more than 80 countries were counted

among the dead.

A small part of everyone died that day, for

reasons that can never be explained or justified. Indeed,

human society has been left to ponder its claim to

being civilized.

Until the tragedy of 11 September, the threat of

terrorism was not fully appreciated. Those who had not

felt its demonic wrath tolerated it as just another

manifestation of social or political discontent. The

current environment throughout the globalized world

has harshly and most cruelly removed such

misconceptions. People all over the world are losing

their freedom, willingly or without choice, in a

multitude of ways. And there is a pervasive sense of

fear. Freedom is a heavy price to pay for anything.

Civilized society ought to provide more liberty, not be

cowed into affording less.

The disease that is the cause must be stamped out.

A determined and coordinated approach by all

countries is the indispensable key. To this end, the

United Nations must play the central role. It must

inspire, unite and act. It must be behind all individual

country, group and global efforts. In this context, the

important initiative taken by the Security Council in

resolution 1373 (2001) is to be welcomed. However,

we must remember that its impact will be determined

not so much by the letter as by the spirit with which it

is accepted and implemented by all Member States.

For its part, Bhutan will make every effort to

fulfil its duty as a Member State and a nation that is

fully committed to the eradication of terrorism. Today,

I signed the International Convention for the

32

Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and in due

course our legislature will clear the way for accession

to the other conventions relating to international

terrorism.

The reign of terrorists in Afghanistan is coming

to an end. It is our hope that the healing of the deep

and painful wounds suffered interminably by the

helpless and innocent victims will begin immediately.

We also hope that, in the coming years, they will be

able to find the environment of peace and security that

has eluded them for too long. Unfortunately, the period

of renewal and reconstruction at the individual,

community and national levels will be long and

arduous for a country that has been reduced to rubble

by war and its ravaging companions. We appeal to the

international community to give sustained support to

Afghanistan in a way that is sympathetic and

responsive to its immediate and long-term needs, while

respecting fully the dignity of its proud people.

Even as we call for sustained and adequate

assistance to Afghanistan, we must acknowledge that

the world is still reeling from the aftershocks of the

attacks of 11 September. The cumulative impact on a

world economy that was already following a downward

trend has yet to be seen. There are other disturbing

uncertainties. Clearly, there is a need to better define

and understand the scope and limits of the war on

terrorism so that the fears of the broader clash that is

being spoken of are calmed. How do we create a

climate that can prevent the further diversion of

resources to defence? Will the onslaught be protracted

and consumptive in terms of our combined energy and

resources? Amid such doubts and concerns, it is natural

that we should worry about how the international

community might be able to deliver on the hopes that

were raised by the Millennium Declaration a year ago.

Our capacity to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty becomes

questionable, especially within the time frame we have

set for ourselves.

Against such a backdrop, the growing challenge

will be how to share and give in difficult times. How

does one give beyond the bounds of disposable

surplus? As the representative of a developing country,

I say this without wishing to undermine the greater

importance of raising domestic revenues and devoting

them to meeting the targets set. In this context, the

defining moment will be offered at the International

Conference on Financing for Development, to be held

next year in Mexico.

Now more than ever it is necessary to reform the

Security Council. We cannot continue to procrastinate

on this vital issue. The Council has to be a truly

representative body if it is to be relevant, respected and

effective. That is not possible when vast continents and

significant populations in the world are left out of

crucial decision-making processes on international

peace and security. Without fair representation, the

Council will risk emasculation — faltering on making

decisions that are implemented feebly.

The serious humanitarian, political and economic

consequences of the terrorist acts demand unity of

thought and action on the part of all nations. Terrorism

must be rooted out. Yet, as in the conduct of our

everyday life, there is a need for balance and

moderation. Just as the reasons for soul-searching and

doubt in ourselves as civilized beings are compelling, it

is my earnest hope that the success of this session will

be marked by the profundity of collective wisdom and

commitment to restore lasting security, peace and

normality.