Ethiopia, 1993

It gives me great pleasure to

congratulate Ambassador Insanally of Guyana on his election

to the high office of the presidency of the forty-eighth

session of the General Assembly.

I am also delighted to welcome the new Members of

the Organization. In this regard allow me to welcome

especially the State of Eritrea as a Member of the United

Nations. At the end of a cruel war the people of Eritrea

exercised their right to self-determination and opted for

Forty-eighth session - 4 October l993 33

sovereign statehood in a referendum which won praise from

the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and

other international organizations as being free and fair.

Addis Ababa and Asmara took steps immediately to forge a

new era of close relationship and cooperation.

The healing of the wounds of war has progressed

dramatically. Building for shared prosperity is progressing

in earnest. Ethiopia believes that the spirit in which the

Eritrean problem was resolved, as well as the developments

taking place to forge a basis for permanent peace and all-

round cooperation, is a unique manifestation of the era of

change from conflict to concord. Peace has provided us

with the opportunity to concentrate on reconstruction and lay

the groundwork for sustainable development in Ethiopia and

in Eritrea.

The vision of the Ethiopian and Eritrean leaderships

and peoples is for economic, social and cultural integration

leading to political integration on a new plane. The

leaderships of the two countries have a vision for expanding

such integration to include the countries of the subregion.

The establishment of peace and stability is therefore a

priority agenda in the coordinated efforts of our two

Governments and we are determined to pursue our

objectives, however difficult the hurdles may be.

Nevertheless, we recognize that the Ethiopian and Eritrean

situation does not cover all the hopes and expectations for

the changes that have taken place in the last few years.

As there are encouraging developments in some parts

of the world, we are also witnessing painful situations in

others. The crisis in Somalia is a case in point. Since this

crisis is at the heart of my Government’s concerns, I would

like to beg the indulgence of this Assembly to take a few

moments to make a brief comment on the disturbing

developments there.

It is to be recalled that the Security Council’s decision

to restore order and to open the channels for the delivery of

humanitarian aid was put into effect in December 1992 and

thereafter. Immediate action was then taken to bring

together the warring factions as well as representatives of

various sectors of Somali society. The aim was to secure

their agreement on a plan of action for the restoration of

peace and the establishment of the structures of civil

administration. In particular, the reconciliation input of the

high-level Horn of Africa Standing Committee on Somalia

was brought to bear at the Conference held in Addis Ababa

in March of this year. An agreement was hammered out on

a series of measures leading to peace and political stability

in the country. The main elements of the agreement

included a cease-fire; a programme of disarmament; regional

reconciliation; measures on finding a political solution to be

achieved through the establishment of elected district and

regional councils, to culminate in the establishment of a

transitional national council as the highest organ of state; and

the principles for the settlement of conflicts relating to

property claims.

Concurrently, the Addis Ababa agreement of March

1993 provides for modalities of continuing humanitarian

relief and the initiation of rehabilitation as well as

reconstruction programmes. The United Nations Operation

in Somalia (UNOSOM) was to manage peace-keeping and

the maintenance of an appropriate environment for the

execution of rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes.

It was then hoped that implementation of the political

aspects of the Addis Ababa agreement would proceed as

planned.

However, the Somali situation took a tragic turn,

particularly when, on 5 June this year, United Nations

peace-keepers from Pakistan and many Somalis were killed.

That was a deplorable incident indeed, and we continue to

be seriously disturbed by the tragic events which have

resulted since then in further loss of life with no apparent

end to the crisis. Indeed, there is a deadlock and a dilemma

as to how to overcome the impasse in Mogadishu.

In the view of my delegation, a thorough review of all

aspects of the Somali situation by the United Nations is

imperative. Such a review should be aimed at restoring the

situation that existed before 5 June and at proceeding from

there with the implementation of the Addis Ababa

agreement. In this respect, it is clear that involving the

factions as well as representatives of the various sectors of

Somali society in the processes is vital.

UNOSOM is the last chance Somalia has. Therefore,

it must not be allowed to fail. Its preoccupation with the 5

June incident should not be allowed to divert its attention

from its ultimate goal of political reconciliation and

economic and social rehabilitation. It must be recognized

that, for the objectives of UNOSOM to be achieved, the

battle for the hearts and minds of all Somalis must be won.

My delegation believes that all UNOSOM troops should be

materially and spiritually equipped to fight and win such a

war, and that whenever there are shortcomings in that regard

UNOSOM should be prepared to act promptly to redress

them. Ethiopia is ready to contribute its share to such a

scenario. It will be recalled, in this regard, that the

Organization of African Unity at its summit meeting in

Cairo in June of this year gave a mandate to President Meles

34 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Zenawi of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia to follow

up and assist in the resolution of the Somali crisis. This

mandate was endorsed by the fourth summit of the Heads of

State and Government of the Inter-Governmental Authority

on Drought and Development (IGADD).

I would like to quote from the Declaration adopted by

the fourth summit of IGADD, held in Addis Ababa on 6 and

7 September 1993.

"We applaud the positive achievements of the

United Nations in Somalia in preventing the death of

thousands of Somalis through starvation and conflict;

"We reinforce the conviction that caution is

required in handling the current very complicated

political situation in Somalia;

"We further call for a meaningful consultation

between UNOSOM and the countries of the subregion

and reiterate the need for a more active role on the part

of the countries of the subregion;

"We fully endorse the mandate given to President

Meles Zenawi to follow developments in Somalia on

behalf of the OAU by also mandating him to follow up

the developments in that member State on behalf of the

countries of the subregion."

While the implementation of the Addis Ababa

agreement is, in our considered view, the only viable avenue

towards a political solution to the Somali crisis, we also

regard UNOSOM as a guarantor against a slide into anarchy

in Somalia. We urge UNOSOM to continue with its task

until the objectives of the Addis Ababa agreement are fully

achieved.

The problem of refugees and persons displaced by a

host of calamities continues to haunt the Horn of Africa

subregion. In this regard, Ethiopia continues to face

immense difficulties, the solutions of which are beyond what

its meagre resources and capacities allow. On top of this,

Ethiopia has to cope with the requirements of settling close

to 1 million returnees.

It is to be recalled that agreement on principles for the

delivery of humanitarian assistance was reached with the

donors at the Horn of Africa Conference held in Addis

Ababa in April 1992. Those principles should be observed

to ensure that relief assistance reaches the needy.

Human life is precious. Denying people the right to

survival, therefore, is a crime. Those who hamper the

delivery of relief aid to the needy are criminals. Likewise,

those who hold human survival hostage to their political

agendas cannot and must not be regarded as anything but

criminals.

It may be possible to put pressure on the recipients with

a view to adjusting their positions in ways that would

facilitate the delivery of relief aid. But the thought of

applying pressure on the donors is, to say the least,

nightmarish. I would like to stress that humanitarian work

should be absolutely depoliticized.

With respect to other issues of concern to the

international community, I would like to refer to the

promising developments in South Africa. My delegation

welcomes the decision on the establishment of a Transitional

Executive Council responsible for supervising the process of

transition towards a non-racial, democratic South Africa.

We commend and support all the political leaders for their

bold actions in paving the way for a peaceful transition to

democracy in South Africa.

Regrettably, however, there are areas of grave concern

where peace has yet to materialize. In this regard, the

resumption of hostilities in Angola is a blow to the

stupendous efforts made by the international community and

by Angolans themselves to restore peace in that country.

We appeal to the parties concerned to resolve their

differences at the negotiating table, taking into account the

elections, which have been declared free and fair by

international observers, as a reference for a political

settlement of the Angolan conflict.

On other areas of conflict in Africa, Ethiopia appeals to

its brothers in Rwanda, Mozambique and Liberia to continue

the momentum towards the establishment of peace in their

respective countries. Likewise, it is Ethiopia’s fervent hope

that our brothers in the Sudan will soon discover the happy

medium that brings peace and tranquility.

On the Middle East, Ethiopia welcomes the first step

towards a settlement embodied in the historic agreement

signed in Washington by Israel and the Palestine Liberation

Organization (PLO). We warmly congratulate the leaders of

both sides on their courageous move, and hope that the

momentum towards a comprehensive settlement of the

Middle East conflict will pick up speed as a result.

Forty-eighth session - 4 October l993 35

However, it appears that our hopes in some areas of the

world are destined to be tempered by virtual despair in

others. I am referring here to the tragic situation in Bosnia

and Herzegovina and the senseless killing that seems to have

no end. I call it senseless not with the intent of passing

judgement on the legitimacy of the respective positions of

the parties to the conflict, but rather to underline the

universal belief that the dividends of peace are so much

greater than the gains of an enormously destructive war. In

full recognition of the fact that an end to the war in Bosnia

and Herzegovina is in the hands of the combatants

themselves, we appeal to them to cooperate with

international mediation efforts.

Humanity wants peace. Thus, humanity is looking to

the United Nations and hopes that this Organization’s

resources and fortitude will make the desired impact through

preventive diplomacy, conflict management and conflict

resolution. At the regional level, the Organization of

African Unity, at its twenty-ninth summit, held in Cairo last

June, decided to establish a mechanism for the prevention,

management and resolution of conflicts. Ethiopia is

committed to work vigorously for its effective

implementation and for its success.

Although we are far from being satisfied, the newly

emerging international situation indicates some encouraging

prospects in the area of political relationships. In the field

of international economic relations, however, the situation is

far from encouraging. Our world still faces the

uncomfortable reality of its division into two blocs: the

affluent and the poor, the North and the South. Poverty still

represents the greatest threat to democratic governance and

world peace and security. Political instability, corruption,

hunger, illicit drug trafficking and a litany of other evils

trace their roots to mass poverty. And the international

community is not unaware of the factors that have conspired

to frustrate the hopes and aspirations of poor countries.

Promises of special programmes for the least developed

countries, 10-year action programmes and so forth agreed

upon by the international community have so far made little

difference by way of alleviating poverty. In Africa, overall

economic growth continues to lag behind population growth.

And the continent remains the poorest of all. Since there

can be no stability or better prospects for the world without

reducing the disparities in levels of global development, both

developed and developing countries should conduct a

constructive dialogue on practical measures for stimulating

development.

Environment and development are the two major

concerns to which the international community has turned its

attention. In particular, Ethiopia appreciates the international

community’s support for the effort to combat desertification

and drought, which are causing extensive environmental

degradation in Africa. We appeal to all Member States to

support fully the efforts of the intergovernmental negotiating

committee for the elaboration of an international convention

to combat desertification. Environmental degradation is a

major development bottleneck which must be addressed as

a matter of urgency.

This occasion provides me an opportunity to share with

this Assembly a few thoughts on the situation prevailing in

Ethiopia since the establishment of the transitional

Government two years ago. The process of democratization

and self-rule has been consolidated through local and

regional elections. The policy on equitable power-sharing

among the various regions and nationalities has succeeded in

ensuring peace and stability throughout the country. These,

coupled with the implementation of liberalized economic

reforms, reconstruction programmes and improved weather

conditions, have brought about encouraging improvements in

the economy. The supportive role of international financial

institutions and the donor community have had a useful

impact on the positive outcome of Ethiopia’s reconstruction

and recovery efforts. Therefore, in a brief period of two

years, Ethiopia has emerged from a state of despair to one

of recovery. We are now looking to the future with

considerable confidence.

With respect to political programmes, Ethiopia has

launched the final phase of the transition period with work

on drafting a constitution. When the constitution is

approved, multi-party elections are planned, on the basis of

which permanent State structures will be put in place.

Already, an independent judiciary is functioning, and

legality is assuming a prominent role in guaranteeing the

human rights of the people. Peaceful political activity, a

free press and freedom of expression and of conscience are

established features of Ethiopian life today. Our democratic

attitude is working. It is working in consolidating peace and

stability and in generating investor and business confidence.

It has worked in restoring the confidence of the people in

their own future.

Ethiopia is committed to the observance of all aspects

of the protection of human rights. Protection of the dignity

of man also means freedom from poverty. "Prisoner of

conscience" and "prisoner of poverty" are one and the same.

The right to freedom of expression and the right to education

36 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

are indivisible. Concern for human rights is virtually

meaningless without corresponding action on the alleviation

of poverty, ignorance and other causes of deprivation.

Ethiopia therefore appeals to the international community to

cooperate in addressing the issue of human rights in the

context of these general principles.

Our democratic outlook with respect to our relations

with neighbouring countries and peoples has borne fruit.

Ethiopia has never enjoyed such harmony, both internally

and in its relations with its neighbours.

Ethiopia has attained the requisite self-confidence that

makes it a true partner in the community of nations. I wish

therefore to reiterate the continued faith of my country in the

collective wisdom of our global Organization and to pledge

anew our unreserved support for the laudable efforts of the

United Nations system. We believe that as the guarantor of

international peace and stability, the United Nations should

expand its efforts by stepping up its activities in the field of

preventive diplomacy. It should develop new, more

effective machinery to coordinate actions aimed at enhancing

respect for the norms of international law and ensuring the

security and interests of all States.

Alongside the maintenance of international peace and

security, we welcome United Nations efforts in assisting the

developing countries in their endeavour to achieve a greater

degree of economic development and self-reliance. The role

of the United Nations in world affairs is all-inclusive. For

this role to be effective, it is important that the

Organization’s methods of operation be characterized by

accountability and transparency. Ethiopia subscribes to the

calls for democratizing the decision-making processes of the

United Nations system and for streamlining its bureaucracy.

I am hopeful that at this session the General Assembly will

review and assess these priority issues with a view to

revitalizing the Organization so that it can meet the

imperatives of the time.