Ecuador, 1994

I would like to congratulate Mr Amara Essy,

Foreign Minister of Côte d’Ivoire on his election as

President of this important Assembly

I should also like to extend to Ambassador Samuel

Insanally the congratulations of Ecuador on his brilliant

performance during the last session.

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Equally, on behalf of the Government of Ecuador, I

should like to extend our congratulations to the Secretary

General,

Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his work in carrying out his

important duties.

During these last few years, the world of international

relations has undergone a swift and profound

transformation. Several problems which divided nations

have disappeared, while other have emerged, as have forces

and elements whose existence invites careful reflection.

The most serious ideological differences have been

overcome and we have witnessed with satisfaction the

holding of free elections in South Africa; however, in other

parts of the world, other evils have reappeared - racism,

xenophobia, civil wars - and problems such as hunger and

poverty have become more acute. Bosnia, Somalia, Haiti,

and Rwanda are just some of the names which now move

mankind’s moral conscience.

At the same time, the historic role of the United

Nations has acquired a unique and far-reaching meaning,

and the near future of the planet appears linked to the

directives and decisions adopted in the General Assembly

and in the Security Council.

The fact that the United Nations is about to celebrate

50 years of existence is truly pleasing, because it means

that this forum of mankind has consolidated its leading role

in history. At the same time, this anniversary leads us to

reflect on ways to improve the Organization. This process

will inevitably involve reconsidering some United Nations

structures in order to adapt them to the new demands of

development which will be discussed at the social summit

soon to take place in Copenhagen. The social summit must

enable nations, taking account of the many decades during

which trade and financial matters have played against less

developed countries, to commit themselves to more direct

action to face the problems of inadequate education, illness,

violence and poverty.

The United Nations is approaching its fiftieth year at

a time when building a new international order has become

imperative. Ecuador wants this new international order to

be marked by unconditional respect for the principles of the

Organization’s Charter, by the international economic

restructuring which for many years has been one of the

main aspirations of the developing world, and by effective

and continuing solidarity and interdependence among all the

nations on our planet.

The changes on the international scene have brought

about a new and growing interest in the United Nations.

The international community turns to the Organization

more often and with more confidence when it needs help

in solving its problems. The Organization’s structures

must be revised and strengthened so that its responses can

meet the needs that have been put to it.

To carry out this endeavour, it will be necessary to

address statements that have been made regarding the new

composition of the Security Council and to consider the

need to revitalize the General Assembly, giving it

functions and responsibilities in keeping with its status as

the highest forum of the Organization. An international

order based on and designed for the human person must

have at its disposal an adequate tool for carrying out

programmes needed for the economic and social

development of our peoples. From that point of view, it

is imperative for us to undertake a process of

strengthening the Economic and Social Council.

Furthermore, we have to create conditions that will

provide the indispensable motivation for States, given the

new circumstance of the world, to place their full trust in

the International Court of Justice.

Ecuador, a country that has the deepest respect for

fundamental human rights, appreciates and assumes with

the utmost responsibility the trust of the international

community, granted through this Organization, enabling

it to contribute to the work of the most important forums

devoted to the promotion and protection of all human

rights.

The Government of Ecuador echoes the expressions

of support to the United Nations High Commissioner for

Human Rights. It trusts that his difficult task will be

based on the frank understanding of the international

community. It also expresses its conviction that the

Assembly will commit the necessary administrative and

financial resources to facilitate the duties of the High

Commissioner.

Human rights and social development are

inseparable, indivisible. In daily reality we cannot

separate respect for human rights from fair economic

relations. As stated by the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP), quality of life is a subject which

cannot remain at the entire mercy of the game of

macroeconomic statistics.

We developing countries are affected in our foreign

trade by the gradual deterioration of the terms of

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exchange, a phenomenon which generates serious social

consequences and which forces us to export greater

volumes of raw, finished and semi-manufactured goods.

We also face non-tariff barriers, and many other measures

that block access by our products - such as bananas and

flowers in the case of Ecuador - to the markets of those

very developed countries where the principle of free trade

is designed and developed. This protectionist policy

contradicts the goals of general welfare sought by the

international community.

The countries of Latin America, including Ecuador,

have launched a great effort of adjustment and economic

restructuring which must be properly understood and which

offers a framework more conducive to international

cooperation and to foreign investment.

At this stage of history, neither the developed nor the

developing countries can neglect the so-called social

question, a product of the socio-economic inequities that

dominate the world. The solution to this problem can be

achieved only by international cooperation at all levels.

The development of poor nations must depend on their own

efforts, on cooperation based on smooth, effective and

profoundly human mechanisms of integration.

We believe in the fundamental right to life.

Therefore, we cannot and will not accept the

implementation of programmes conditioned on population

control and abortion, which are what Pope John Paul II has

called "the culture of death". These are the bases that

should inspire solidarity and international cooperation.

Environmental problems, and those linked to the

dangerous use of nuclear weapons, have shown that we

humans are all voyaging in the same boat and that our

destinies are intertwined. Thus, the prosperity of some

cannot result from the exploitation or damage of the

environment of others; the accumulation of weapons in one

country is nothing but a boomerang that country is throwing

at itself.

I want to recall the words of the Constitutional

President of Ecuador, Mr. Sixto Durán Ballén, in this

august forum, when he said:

"I must emphasize that although the developed

countries, which are mainly responsible for the

deterioration of the environment, have a particular

obligation, it is other countries that are being asked to

make the sacrifice of restricting the exercise of their

legitimate right to use the wealth that nature has given

them. It is necessary to seek due compensation

jointly, especially in the shape of financial aid and

technological cooperation". (A/47/PV.12, p. 18)

Inevitably, all our peoples must join forces to

safeguard and restore the environment. In the ecological

field, we have completed the stage of formulating rules

and international conventions. Now we must join our

resources and technical efforts to put those solutions into

practice as soon as possible. That is why it is important

to develop greater linkage between institutions such as the

World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and

the International Monetary Fund on the one hand, and

programmes of the United Nations and the Global

Environment Facility on the other. Therefore, genuine

transfer of clean technologies is of great importance.

It is especially worrisome that nuclear testing for

military purposes continues to be carried out. Ecuador

condemns these tests, which damage the environment,

endanger the countries of the test area and ignore the

right of all the peoples to peace and security.

Furthermore, Ecuador is worried by the fact that in the

post-cold-war era some countries have attracted

significant numbers of technicians and nuclear scientists

in order to develop their military power. Resolution

48/70, approved last December, opens the way towards a

comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty, which all States

should support.

We believe in the need not only to extend the Treaty

on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, but also to

improve it and establish it forever. At the same time, we

support the declaration of new nuclear-weapon-free zones,

similar to those established by the Latin American Treaty.

In this regard, it is a matter of serious concern that,

while we are trying to limit and even eliminate nuclear

arsenals, there has been an increase in the manufacture of

conventional weapons and in the traffic in them.

Accordingly, there is an imperative need, as the Holy See

proposed through its Council for Justice and Peace, for

the creation of an international authority to reduce the

trade in weapons and to achieve the goal of a

comprehensive ban on all kinds of weapons.

Ecuador welcomes most warmly the agreements

arrived at and the progress made in the Middle East in the

process of establishing peace and normalizing the

relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Ecuador firmly supports this process, which is an example

for the solution of other, perhaps less complex, problems.

15

We also condemn the actions of extremist groups who,

through terrorism, attempt to prevent the consolidation of

peace in that important part of the world.

We were particularly enthusiastic over the

reinstatement of South Africa in this world Organization.

With the victory over apartheid one of the United Nations

longest and most difficult struggles has now come to an

end.

We must however reiterate our profound concern over

the ongoing ethnic and religious clashes in the territories of

the former Yugoslavia. Ecuador supports the actions taken

by the international community in seeking a political

solution that would ensure an end to the tragedy in Bosnia

and Herzegovina.

And now my country would like to issue a plea to the

international community to provide generous humanitarian

assistance for the victims in Rwanda.

Recently, there has been a proliferation of United

Nations peace-keeping operations. Notwithstanding all its

shortcomings, the international effort in this regard is

praiseworthy, but we believe this Organization should,

basically, use preventive measures to deal with the

underlying causes of civil, international and inter-ethnic

conflicts, and along with thIs, it should also address the

problems of injustice, inequality in economic and trade

relations, and the persistence of prejudice and age-old

enmity. The road to peace lies through programmes to

provide help in practical and urgent terms, to those

countries most affected by hunger and extreme poverty.

There must be a prompt review of programmes of

cooperation. There must be a more fruitful effort on the

part of the specialized agencies of the United Nations

system to develop a true culture of peace and the respect

for the rights of others.

The fundamental obligation of the United Nations -

one might even say its real raison d’être - is not only the

maintenance of international peace and security but also the

raising of the economic, social and cultural standards of

peoples. This is the only solid basis for progress and

development.

I believe it is time for this Assembly to adopt

pragmatic resolutions so that we may spend less on paper

and bureaucracy and more on technical and cultural

missions and specific programmes that would reach those

people that face the greatest problems, areas afflicted by

war, plague and starvation.

Ecuador has advocated a solution to the complex

Haitian crisis that takes account of the principles of non-

intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes and

that involves the participation of all sectors of Haitian

society, with the broadest respect for human rights and

taking account of the relevant resolutions of the

Organization of American States and of the United

Nations.

Ecuador trusts that democracy will be established

permanently and as soon as possible in Haiti. To that

end, it is offered all the diplomatic and political support

that it can. At the same time, we would wish to

participate in the humanitarian efforts to contribute to the

rebuilding of the Haitian economy, once constitutional

order is restored.

Ecuador would also be in favour of continuing the

Cuban-American dialogue in that same constructive spirit

and with good will. We fervently hope that our sister

nation of Cuba may be able to become fully involved

again in hemispheric cooperation. It will be necessary to

make great strides along the road to broadening and

strengthening democracy and pluralism, and at the same

time an end must be put to the unilateral blockade to

which Cuba has been subjected for many years.

In keeping with our constant desire to contribute to

a climate of peace, understanding and cooperation among

peoples, Ecuador has been seeking some means of dealing

with its age-old controversy with Peru and strengthening

its ties of friendship and cooperation between the peoples

of Ecuador and Peru. As we said earlier, Ecuador

attaches very special importance within this process, to

the intervention of His Holiness the Pope, in seeking a

definitive solution to this problem. This is in view of the

high moral authority of His Holiness, which is recognized

by both our peoples.

It is increasingly clear to our two nations that the

way to development is to be found in working together in

harmony.

We wish to deepen and broaden our far-reaching

common interests. This is to the mutual benefit of our

two countries and would enable us to become efficient

partners as we develop together.

All the nations represented in this Assembly are

called upon to build a better world, a world free from the

horrors of war, hunger and environmental destruction.

May we, through our work, respond to this historic

challenge.