Spain, 2003

It is

always a special opportunity for the leader of his

country to speak to this General Assembly. My speech

will be brief and may be summed up at the very outset

in very few words as follows: I am speaking to you as

the President of a European democratic country

involved in sustainable development. My compatriots

especially value the existence of freedom and respect

for the law as factors for progress in Spain. We think

these two values, freedom in all areas of life and

compliance with the law comprise the best recipe for

progress among peoples.

The last twenty-five years of progress in my

country have fortunately coincided with the change in

the millennium. Freedom of opinion, peaceful political

choice and the broadening of fundamental rights have

become values which enhance us. Of course, this has

not been accomplished without effort and risks along

the way. However, I now have the satisfaction of

speaking of that progress. The culture of community

upon which this democracy is based is openly

expressed by the Spanish people of the Iberian

Peninsula and we are celebrating this during the

commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of our

Constitution. We are an open country, trusted

throughout the world, and we wish the same principles

and situation for others. The determination to increase

freedom throughout the world and the concern to

ensure that laws of the international community are

complied with are values that guide our international

policies. We share this position with many countries

present here.

The world would be a better place if the rules we

make for ourselves are complied with and if those who

breach them know that their non-compliance will not

prevail. The United Nations embodies international

legality. Compliance with its resolutions is in the

interest of all. This is the best way to build a world in

keeping with law rather than tyranny, with freedom

rather than oppression.

It is probably for this purpose that the Security

Council and the Organization require reform. Without

doubt, this is a complex issue and we support efforts

being made in this connection by the Secretary-

General. In any case, we bear in mind that increasing

the number of Security Council Members will not

necessarily increase the effectiveness of the Council.

But above all, the United Nations needs its own

Members to respect its resolutions. A resolute effort on

the part of all countries is necessary to ensure a more

secure, yet freer world.

Although violations of Security Council

resolutions exist, all of us must ensure that the

resolutions are complied with. All of us must lend a

hand because it is in the interest of all for the ideals of

the United Nations to become a reality. Thus, we are

committed to security, stability and the reconstruction

of Iraq. We also are committed to returning sovereignty

to the Iraqi people. We spare no effort and do not wish

to dwell on the past. We believe that successful results

in Iraq will be due to the efforts of the entire

international community. We think that the pledging

conference to be held in Spain on 23 and 24 October

will be a big stride. I would like, from this rostrum, to

invite all of you to participate in that conference.

Allow me to present some more concrete ideas.

Our efforts must be directed towards restoring the

sovereignty of the Iraqi people in a way which will

enable them to freely enjoy their own resources. For

that purpose there should be an agreement reached to

establish a multinational force with the clear mandate

of guaranteeing peace and security. Given the situation

today in Iraq with its high risk of terrorism, this task

cannot be entrusted to a mere interposed force, but

rather to one that will specifically ensure peace,

security and stability.

An additional agreement on the civil

administration of Iraqi resources and public services

for the people would be easier to obtain after that. I am

referring to a civil administration directed by the

United Nations with the participation of the new

leaders who would be representing a peaceful and

pluralistic Iraq.

37

Peace, security and freedom have always had

enemies and we cannot close our eyes where such

threats exist. We have been the victims of blind

terrorist violence in this Organization. We cannot

forget that vile and cowardly attack in Iraq by which

terrorists hoped to expel the United Nations from Iraq

and close it off from the world. The States who flout

international law are threatening what is dearest to us,

our lives and our freedom.

Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

would be even more dangerous. I firmly believe that

commitment and true cooperation between all States

will make it possible to win victory over terror. Last

May, Members of the Security Council shared some

considerations concerning the fight against terrorism to

which I refer now. We will continue to work on

preparing a list of terrorist organizations — things

should be called by their proper names — and there

should be no political or moral quarter given to

assassins. Our priorities must be set. We will shut down

the sources of financial support to terrorists and will

prevent their access to weapons of mass destruction.

The treaties on disarmament with regard to nuclear,

chemical and biological weapons will help with this

task. To prevent and intercept the trafficking of

weapons of mass destruction, a group of countries has

implemented the Proliferation Security Initiative whose

first meeting took place in Madrid last June. I invite

you also to join that Initiative.

We would like to give a voice to the victims of

terrorism and for this, three things are required. We

must restore truth, regain dignity and pay tribute to the

victims of terrorism. If terrorists have sometimes used

public tribunals, it is a moral necessity to give an

institutional forum to the victims where they can be

heard. We must unmask the terrorists and truly listen to

the victims.

It has been rightly said, Sir, that the United

Nations has not been established to create paradise in

the world, but rather to keep the world from falling into

an abyss. There is no paradise on earth. Efforts are

being made to ensure that the world will be freer and

more peaceful and to distance us from the abyss,

efforts which make it possible for this Organization to

make its lofty ideas a reality. It is hoped that no effort

will be spared in this undertaking.