Monaco, 1993

For me this is a very special occasion, for it is the

first time I address, on behalf of my father, the Sovereign

Prince of Monaco, and on behalf of my country, this

prestigious world Assembly of the States Members of the

United Nations.

I wish to tell members of the tremendous joy of all

Monégasques and inhabitants of the Principality of Monaco

when my country joined this great world Organization. I

should like to take the opportunity once again to thank the

members of the Security Council and of the General

Assembly for their favourable consideration of Monaco’s

application for membership of the Organization.

I wish the Assembly every success in its work. A

number of its agenda items are of particularly vital historic

and political significance. The decisions we take will

undoubtedly have far-reaching and long-term consequences

for the future of the world community.

I wish also, to congratulate you, Sir, very sincerely and

warmly on your election to the presidency of the General

Assembly. My congratulations also go to the members of

the General Committee. I have no doubt that your skill and

lengthy experience will enable our work to proceed under

the best possible conditions.

Like all countries that put their trust in international law

and cooperation, the Principality of Monaco, in its relations

with other countries, has always relied on respect for

international norms and documents.

Its Princes have always been fully aware of the fact that

the maintenance of peace necessarily entails respect for the

sovereignty of States and the development of friendly

relations among peoples.

Prince Albert I of Monaco, when he created the Peace

Institute at the end of the last century, was even then

inspired by that philosophy, which led to the founding, in

1919, of the League of Nations and, in 1945, of the United

Nations. On 5 February 1934 Prince Albert’s successor -

Prince Louis II, who was profoundly touched by the

hardship and suffering caused by the First World War - set

up the Medical-Legal Commission of Monaco, whose sober

reflection and work which continue today, gave inspiration

to the drawing up of the 1949 Geneva Conventions of the

International Red Cross.

My country’s commitment to peace is therefore a

tradition of more than 100 years - a tradition observed by its

Princes, whose dynasty will shortly celebrate its 700th

anniversary. It is also a political aspiration that has only

grown in strength with the passage of time. It will always

be adhered to with both conviction and determination in the

General Assembly of the United Nations.

In this spirit, I should like to refer in particular to a

resolution of the International Olympic Committee, of which

I am a member, which unanimously recommends observance

of a long-standing tradition of the Olympic movement - the

principle of the Olympic truce.

The Government of Monaco supports this initiative,

which was signed and endorsed by the National Committees

of 184 countries and was officially addressed to our

Secretary-General on 9 February this year. An international

year of sport and the Olympic spirit would undoubtedly

afford an opportunity to launch this project.

Perhaps it is by constantly repeating certain initiatives

of this nature - albeit modest ones - that we shall be able

gradually to create the just and lasting peace to which we all

so deeply aspire.

Did we not, a few days ago, receive from the southern

shores of the Mediterranean news giving us immense hope

of peace? Though it may be tenuous, we are at one with

those who inspired it and with those who are today

endeavouring to make it a success. It is our earnest wish

that they will succeed.

Peace is not just the silence of guns. Indeed, there can

be no doubt that the establishment of genuine peace can flow

only from greater respect for justice, human rights and

fundamental freedoms. For this very reason, the work and

the conclusions of the Vienna Conference on human rights

warrants our very close scrutiny.

Finally, echoing a wish expressed by my father,

Prince Rainier III, when he addressed the Earth Summit in

Rio de Janeiro, I should like to emphasize that the

Government of Monaco has set for itself the priority of

protecting our environment, both natural and cultural, so that

it may provide a healthy, enriching and balanced life for all.

The Principality has undertaken major efforts to combat, in

particular, all types of pollution that attack and contaminate

the Mediterranean.

My country is more than ever resolved to encourage all

initiatives in this area, including the establishment, on its

own soil, of institutions dealing with coordination and the

10 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

adoption of a General Assembly resolution that would

proclaim 1998 the international year of the seas and oceans.

I should like, in conclusion, to reiterate that the

Principality of Monaco - in full respect for the rule of law

in domestic affairs and for treaties and law in the

international order; having neither armed forces nor military

arsenals; and bearing no enmity to anyone at all - is fully

prepared to assist the Organization in all its actions,

undertaken sometimes with great difficulty, aimed at

maintaining and rebuilding peace.