Kingdom of the Netherlands, 2002

The smoke

at ground zero, only a few blocks away from here, has

cleared. But the empty space where the twin towers

once stood continues to send shivers throughout the

world. The unspeakable events that occurred a year ago

have become engraved in our collective memory. What

occurred here was an unprecedented and direct attack

on universal values: values such as mutual respect,

such as tolerance, such as the rule of law — values that

form the very basis of the United Nations.

Over the past year, the world community has

proven its determination to defy terrorism. Today, the

Netherlands not only reiterates its attachment to these

values but also underlines a responsibility, both

individual and collective, for upholding and protecting

them. And that responsibility calls for a real

commitment.

Religions, races and traditions make our world

colourful and diverse. But underneath our different

feathers, we share a common skin: principles we all

adhere to — or should adhere to — regardless of our

religious beliefs or race. Mutual respect, the rule of

law, freedom of speech and religion are among the

most important ones.

We cannot, however, confine ourselves to merely

restating these principles. Without real commitment

they would quickly evaporate and thus become empty

words.

It goes without saying that the Netherlands is

fully committed: it is a dedicated international partner,

both out of choice and out of necessity, in the United

Nations, the European Union, NATO and other

organizations, or in common endeavours such as the

World Summit on Sustainable Development. The

Netherlands will continue to dedicate 0.8 per cent of its

annual gross domestic product to development

cooperation and urges others to do the same.

Behind that commitment is the unshakeable belief

that no country can hope to succeed on its own in

whatever policy area. In this respect we take to heart

the wise words of Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

“Even the most powerful countries know that they need

to work with others, in multilateral institutions, to

achieve their aims” (A/57/PV.2). We therefore also

welcome the United States decision, announced from

this rostrum by President Bush, to return to the United

Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO). The Netherlands not only

feels an individual responsibility for the defence of

universal values, but a shared responsibility as well.

Let me elaborate on this today in relation to four key

areas of concern: the development of the African

continent, uncontrolled migration, the continuing threat

of terrorism and the situation in the Middle East.

Africa continues its struggle towards

development and prosperity. It cannot and must not do

so all by itself. We all share a responsibility for

eradicating poverty and enhancing Africa's global

integration.

Too often the African continent is associated only

with misery and instability. In reality the number of

conflicts in or between African countries has

decreased. The creation of the African Union, and the

New Partnership for Africa's Development, testify to

the continent's own commitment. The Netherlands very

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much welcomes this acknowledgement by African

leaders of their own responsibility for building a

prosperous and peaceful continent. For us, this is

essential for adding our own efforts and resources to

achieve that objective. It also means that African

leaders, like all of us, can be held accountable for their

governance and policies, their performance in the field

of human rights and their respect for the rule of law.

In partnership with African countries the

Netherlands will continue to do its share in providing

the necessary resources. For us, development

cooperation is not just providing money, but also a

policy integrating the promotion of good governance,

security and stability. Is the world to assist in

alleviating the effects of natural disasters when in fact

they are, at least in part, man-made?

Responsibility also extends to the private sector,

particularly when it comes to fighting the disease that

undermines all efforts at development: HIV/AIDS.

However, for the fight against AIDS to be successful, it

needs to be fully endorsed by African Governments.

That means: acknowledgement of the problem and its

causes, an open discussion of possible strategies and

addressing its consequences for society.

Africa concerns us all. Its problems affect us all.

Poverty, conflict and violations of human rights

contribute to an ever-increasing migration. This

phenomenon is, however, by no means unique for the

African continent. We need to deal with it effectively,

regardless of whether we represent countries of origin,

countries of transit or those of destination. Migration is

robbing countries of origin of a vitally important

resource: human capital. For neighbouring countries or

countries of transit it can be a source of instability. For

countries of destination, it often creates problems of

integration.

Here again, common values are at stake.

Governments should do everything in their power to

avoid people having no other choice than fleeing home.

The number one priority is addressing the underlying

causes of uncontrolled migration.

In the meantime, we need to support the Office of

the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR), which is stretched to its limits dealing with

a problem for which it was not devised. The

Netherlands welcomes UNHCR's efforts to establish

and implement an integrated policy aimed at the

repatriation of refugees, coupled with their re-

integration, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Obviously, these efforts have to be dovetailed with

those of other United Nations agencies active in those

areas.

It is precisely through such an integrated

approach that we can hope to achieve results.

UNHCR's mix of policy areas obviously has to be

complemented by that of security. That is one of the

reasons why the Netherlands is involved in

peacekeeping or similar operations in Bosnia, the

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

and Afghanistan. Security is the quintessential

consideration for those who are to return to their

homes. Without security, resettlement and recovery

remain pious wishes. Money spent on security is

money well spent.

In the year following 11 September 2001 the

international community has effectively taken its

responsibility. Its joint efforts have focussed on

bringing about more security and increased stability in

Afghanistan. Much has been accomplished: a regime

hostile both to the Afghan people and to our commonly

shared values has been ousted. Subsequently, our

collective efforts have helped establish an elected

Government and begin the reconstruction of a

disrupted society.

There can be no leniency towards countries that

reject universal values, because a country that rejects

tolerance, endorses intolerance. A country that does not

guarantee the rule of law invites anarchy and injustice.

The international community must help countries that

are unable to do so themselves. It must try to persuade

those that are uncooperative and it must be ready, if

necessary, to act against those that are unwilling.

The terrorist attacks have also shown that

religion, for some, unfortunately, is a source of

inspiration not for good, but for destructive purposes.

The hijacking of planes should not result in the

hijacking of an entire religion. Proper education,

freedom of opinion and speech, secular or

representative government can help contain religious

extremism. Here again, we have a collective as well as

an individual responsibility for upholding and

protecting common values.

What we need is a dialogue between countries,

civilizations and religions. But we also need action to

go after the sources of religious extremism.

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That same commitment leaves us no choice but to

continue to work towards peace in the Middle East.

The instability there, the lurking dangers of religious

extremism and weapons of mass destruction require

our joint dedication.

The many different actors in the Middle East

share a duty to restrain violence and curtail extremism.

Stability in the region is an indivisible interest, not

only for the region itself but far beyond. The countries

in the region have prime responsibility for ensuring

that their citizens can live in freedom and an

environment of tolerance and respect. But the

international community has a role to play as well.

Here in particular, we expect the Security Council to

take its responsibilities to end the Iraqi regime's

systematic non-compliance with a range of earlier

resolutions. The inspectors should be allowed to return,

yesterday rather than tomorrow. The credibility of the

United Nations system is at stake.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be dealt

with solely by concentrating on the fight against

terrorism. Terrorism must stop, not only because of the

human suffering it causes, but also because it is utterly

counterproductive. The Palestinian people should ask

themselves where this violence has got them. On the

other hand, Israel cannot defer indefinitely answering

the question as to when and how it is to live side by

side with a Palestinian neighbour. Finding a solution

again requires true commitment from all parties

concerned and a dialogue across regional, religious and

other borders. That involves us all.

In conclusion, since we share values, we share

responsibility for upholding them. That should

determine our commitment to addressing the problems

that I mentioned. Our commonly held values should

guide our dealings with each other — between

individuals as well as between countries. It is only

when we acknowledge what we have in common that

we can find the strength to overcome our differences. If

there is one thing that our presence here, one year after

11 September 2001, makes clear, it is this: our belief in

freedom and tolerance is unshakeable, and so is our

commitment to uphold them.