Greece, 1993

Mr. President,

allow me at the outset to extend to you the warmest

congratulations of the Greek Government on your election

to the presidency of the forty-eighth session of the General

Assembly. Your distinguished personal qualities and

diplomatic skills augur well for the progress of work of the

current session.

I should be remiss if I did not express the deep

appreciation of the Greek Government to the

Secretary-General of the United Nations ,

16 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for the most distinguished way

in which he has been discharging his high duties. His

dynamism, energy, perseverance, political will and

leadership, together with a determined vision of the new

world structure, constitute invaluable and solid foundations

for a more efficient and creative United Nations response to

the challenges of the close of the twentieth century. He has

our full support.

Let me also join previous speakers in welcoming, from

this rostrum, the new Members that have been admitted to

the United Nations this year.

We were deeply shocked by the tragic news of the

devastating earthquake in India, which has resulted in the

loss of tens of thousands of lives. I express, on behalf of

the Greek Government and of the Greek people, our sincere

sympathy for the families of victims and for the friendly

people of India.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Minister of Belgium, in

his capacity as President of the Council of the European

Community, delivered a statement on behalf of the European

Community and its 12 member States. My Government

fully subscribes to its content.

An unprecedented and historic event has enhanced

hopes for the peoples living in the Middle East. Israelis and

Palestinians have made a courageous step, in Washington,

towards peace. Greece, together with its European

Community partners, offers its full support for keeping the

present momentum so that the parties involved may soon

reach comprehensive and lasting agreements. We have

always taken the stand that peace in the Middle East could

be achieved through direct dialogue between all the parties.

The Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Mitsotakis, addressing

the General Assembly in 1981 in his capacity as Foreign

Minister stressed, inter alia, that:

"The prolongation of the Arab-Israeli conflict and

the failure of all unilateral attempts to resolve it

demonstrate that only dialogue among the parties,

including the Palestine Liberation Organization, can

lead to a just and lasting solution." (A/36/PV.16, p. 17)

We are extremely satisfied that these historic, direct talks

have paved the way to peace.

In today’s global political landscape, the international

community must address many challenges that are neither

familiar nor simple. Troubling developments in areas with

varying political and economic conditions are affecting

millions of people who are caught in a circle of violence and

suffering. Millions face starvation. We must take heart,

however, from the determination of peoples in all parts of

the world to sustain freedom and human rights, and to

choose their futures even in the face of declining output,

rising unemployment and inflation. In the quest for a better

world, for a better future, man is striving to improve his

social, economic and political institutions.

The future of mankind is inextricably linked to the way

in which we have lived and acted during the twentieth

century and, in particular, during the last four decades.

During this period the international community had rested its

hopes on the United Nations system in order to address the

challenges of modern society. Our Organization has stood

the test of time. It has offered us a valuable service in the

fields of peace and security. It has also helped us, to a great

extent, in our common endeavours towards eliminating

injustice, economic imbalances and social disparities, and in

safeguarding the environment.

We firmly believe that all Members of the United

Nations, together, have a moral obligation to act in order to

ensure a better future for mankind. Previous speakers have

duly stressed the need to react jointly to the challenges.

In this respect, allow me to announce that the

Government of Greece, eager to contribute towards this end,

has the honour to propose the convening in Greece, in

January of the year 2000, of an international United Nations

summit aimed at adopting a global agenda for the twenty-

first century. The general topic of this summit conference

could be "Partners for a Better World: on the Threshold of

the Twenty-first Century". An ad hoc preparatory committee

or an open-ended working group of the whole could be

established by this body to cope with the substance and the

organizational aspects of the summit. Greece expresses its

willingness and readiness to work bilaterally and collectively

towards the realization of this United Nations summit

conference. I might add that, after all, Greece was the

cradle of the democracy that humanity as a whole now

enjoys. It is the right place to hold the summit proposed by

the Greek Government.

We are living through a period of radical changes,

especially in Europe. Former adversaries are now

cooperating on the basis of common values and principles.

Historical agreements have been reached in arms control and

arms reduction, both regionally and globally.

These changes have also brought new risks and

uncertainties: the proliferation of new States; the

Forty-eighth session - 1 October l993 17

reappearance of claims of numerous national minorities

suppressed under communism, and with them the danger of

disputed borders; and, on top of these, the economic collapse

and heavy transition costs in the former communist

countries, as well as the re-emergence of nationalism,

national antagonisms, religious fanaticism and populist

tendencies. All of these issues have set the stage for a new

approach to the question of security and stability in Europe,

which has emerged as the major issue of political importance

in the old continent. Let me also emphasize that security in

Europe is linked to the economic development and maturity

of the democratic process and institutions in Eastern Europe,

the Balkan peninsula and the Maghreb. Uncontrolled and

unlimited migration resulting from political turmoil and

economic hardship in these countries could cause social and

economic problems affecting even the more prosperous

countries in Western Europe.

The significance of the United Nations in maintaining

peace has grown dramatically. It is enough to compare the

13 peace-keeping operations undertaken during the first

42 years of its existence with the same number of operations

established between 1991 and 1992. Only last week the

Security Council decided to establish two new peace-keeping

operations in Haiti and in Liberia.

The prestige, credibility and power of the United

Nations have been enhanced by the positive outcome of the

peace-keeping operations. However, the United Nations

system was not ready to cope with such an extended

challenge, and there seems to be a consensus that United

Nations methods and capabilities need to be adjusted and

improved. More effective ways to prevent and contain

conflicts have been considered by the United Nations, world

leaders and respected think-tanks. The Secretary-General’s

"An Agenda for Peace" has stimulated the ongoing

discussions and has already resulted in the adoption of a

series of measures.

Greece strongly supports the United Nations

peace-keeping operations, as well as peace-building and

peacemaking activities. Our presence in Somalia, Iraq,

Kuwait and Western Sahara indicates our increasing

involvement in peace-keeping. In this context, I should also

mention our contribution to the United Nations polling

officers unit in Cambodia and in other parts of the world.

Cyprus, a member of the United Nations, still remains

occupied and divided. Thirty thousand Turkish troops

occupy 38 per cent of the Republic. What is more,

thousands of settlers from the mainland have upset the

demographic balance of the population. We note with deep

concern a complete lack of progress towards a solution of

the Cyprus problem during this year. In spite of the efforts

of the Secretary-General and his representatives, talks in

New York and in Cyprus came to a standstill because of the

unwillingness of the Turkish Cypriot leadership to engage in

meaningful negotiations either on the overall agreement or

on confidence-building measures. We join the

Secretary-General’s call to Turkey to fully assume its

responsibilities and exercise its decisive influence with the

Turkish-Cypriot leaders in order to achieve progress.

The recent breakthrough in the Middle East has proved

that there are no intractable problems, if there is a political

will. This genuine will is required from Ankara in order to

re-establish the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of

Cyprus, while guaranteeing and protecting the rights of all

its citizens. Here, I would remind the Assembly that the

question of the missing persons has not been resolved.

Greece will maintain its constructive attitude in the hope that

it will be reciprocated. My Government this year increased

its contribution to the United Nations Peace-keeping Force

in Cyprus to $6.5 million, as evidence of our strong

commitment to achieving a political settlement while

safeguarding peace in Cyprus.

We follow with particular attention the tireless efforts

of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to achieve

decisive reforms to consolidate the democratic institutions

and establish an open market economy. We sympathize with

their calls for assistance. We participate in all initiatives to

promote a smooth integration of the newly established States

into international institutions. The consolidation of

democratic institutions and processes in Russia is of the

utmost importance for Europe and for my country in

particular.

An eloquent example of the upheaval brought about by

the dramatic changes in Europe is the situation in the former

Yugoslavia. Here, and especially in Bosnia, the upheaval

has turned into a tragedy of unprecedented proportions. No

matter how much we contribute to prevent and ease the

suffering of the people, there is no remedy unless and until

a political solution has been agreed upon by all parties.

Their leaders should understand that continued fighting

increases hatred and decreases the chances of a compromise,

and should seize any acceptable opportunity for peace for

the sake of their people. The Co-Chairmen of the

International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia have

exercised all their ingenuity to convince those leaders of

these simple truths. They have consistently tried to guide

negotiations towards the principles of the London

Conference. Cyrus Vance, Thorvald Stoltenberg and

18 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Lord Owen deserve our gratitude for their tremendous

efforts.

Greece, along with its European Community partners,

plays a constructive role in the search for a negotiated

overall settlement. We were close to an agreement last May

after the Athens meeting, for which the Greek Government

and particularly the Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis, worked

hard. Let us hope that the present chance will not be

missed.

When an agreement is reached in Bosnia, we must take

an active part in the huge task of the reconstruction of the

former Yugoslavia. We propose to start planning for this

task right now. The main responsibility lies with the

European Community. Greece expresses its readiness to

host an international meeting for the rehabilitation and

reconstruction of the former Yugoslavia, with the

participation of donors, as well as of neighbouring countries.

Substantial economic and financial assistance is the

prerequisite for achieving social harmony and consolidating

democracy. Let us hope that peace will be achieved sooner

rather than later. Serious consideration should be given now

to planning for the day after peace is achieved.

May I remind the Assembly that the agreement between

the Israelis and the Palestinians came very suddenly. Only

now is the international community thinking of ways to

assist the region to recover and achieve economic

reconstruction and rehabilitation. Let us not be late in the

case of the former Yugoslavia. If we act right now, we act

on time. The day after should be taken into serious

consideration by all concerned, and especially by the

European Community and the neighbouring States.

My Government deeply appreciates the efforts of the

Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International

Conference on the Former Yugoslavia in accordance with

Security Council resolution 817 (1993). We thank

Mr. Vance for agreeing to continue these efforts in

accordance with Security Council resolution 845 (1993).

The resolution of this problem will enhance stability in the

Balkan region. Greece’s position is clear: we are striving

to eradicate a potential point of friction in the Balkans,

friction which may lead to tension with unpredictable and

perhaps grave consequences.

On this occasion I reiterate our earnest desire to

strengthen, as far as possible, our relations with all our

neighbours. We have pursued this policy consistently. To

this purpose, we will continue our efforts to enable our

northern neighbours to accomplish the difficult task of

reconstructing their economies. The Balkan economies are

inextricably interdependent; we need the cooperation of our

northern neighbours in order to link further our economies

with those of the Central, Northern and Western European

States. So our neighbours need the cooperation of Greece in

order to integrate their economies with the European

Community as well as to have access to the trade routes of

the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Greece is fully aware of the need to assist, and has

already enormously assisted, Albania in overcoming its

considerable economic difficulties and consolidating its

democratic institutions. At the same time, we again urge the

Albanian Government to grant in practice the fundamental

minority rights established within the process of the

Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe,

particularly in the fields of education and religion. Religious

freedom and the right to education should not be denied to

the Greek minority nor to any minority anywhere in the

globe. Albania cannot deny to the minorities within its

borders what it itself asks for its minorities abroad.

The elimination of weapons of mass destruction,

including in particular nuclear, chemical and biological

weapons, is a goal towards which, despite progress achieved,

we must persevere. The signing of the chemical-weapons

Convention on 12 January 1993 was an important step. We

look forward to the Conference of 1995 for an unconditional

and indefinite renewal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We

also note with satisfaction the progress made towards the

negotiation of a comprehensive test-ban treaty.

The World Conference on Human Rights, held in

Vienna last June, has led to the emergence of common views

and strategies involving large sectors of our societies and to

prospects for better cooperation between the institutions and

organizations active in this area.

We hope that the vicious circle of violence in South

Africa will end soon, with the cooperation of all South

African leaders, and that a new political system will be born.

Greece, along with its European Community partners,

intends to play a constructive role in assisting that country

in its transition to majority rule.

In Somalia, the United Nations embarked upon the first

peace enforcement operation to secure a safe environment

for humanitarian operations, disarm militia and pursue the

difficult task of political recovery. Pacification has been

accomplished to a large extent

Forty-eighth session - 1 October l993 19

though serious problems remain. As a troop contributor to

the United Nations Operation in Somalia, Greece firmly

believes that this operation should not be allowed to fail.

Greece and its European Community partners maintain

a fruitful dialogue in both political and economic matters

with the countries of Latin America. This dialogue will be

continued with great interest at the San Jose and Rio

ministerial meetings, which will take place next year under

the Greek presidency of the European Community and in

Greece.

In many of the poorest developing countries, standards

of living continue to decline, while in other developing

countries the results of economic performance are, to say the

least, mixed. Thus, some economies in Asia are vibrant.

Latin America, with the debt crisis behind it, has pursued

successful structural adjustment programmes. On the other

hand, in half of the developing world the picture remains

bleak. It is particularly so in Africa. The needs are

compelling.

We share the view that growth should be sustainable in

that it creates more employment, less poverty and greater

equality of opportunity, and also in that it promotes human

freedom and the preservation of the environment. Successful

national policies are necessary to bring about greater

participation by the people in economic, social and political

life.

In concluding my statement, I appeal to every Member,

not only in my capacity as Foreign Minister of Greece, but

also as a man who wants to see his grandchildren live in a

different, better world - a world of tolerance, peace and

solidarity. Let us join our efforts and share our experience

for a better tomorrow. Let us be tolerant of each other in

order to ensure a better life for our children and for their

children. Let us ensure that solidarity and partnership

prevail over sterile antagonism, micronationalism and

totalitarian ideologies and regimes. Let us work together to

eliminate war, famine, genocide, "ethnic cleansing",

holocaust, xenophobia, racism and aggression.