General Assembly Session 50 meeting 30

The President

I call on the representative of El Salvador to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.2.

Mr. Castaneda-Cornejo (El Salvador)

On behalf of the Central American countries, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador, I have the honour to make this statement by way of an introduction to the draft resolution on agenda item 155, entitled "Observer status for the Central American Integration System in the General Assembly".

In 1987, when our Governments decided to take up the historic challenge of achieving a political solution to the Central American crisis through the peace process adopted in Esquipulas II, they also recognized that peace and development were inseparable and that the consolidation of democracy presupposed the establishment of a system of well-being and economic and social justice, which is indispensable in helping to overcome the deep-rooted causes of that conflict.

The fulfilment of the commitments contained in Esquipulas II led to progress in the process of peacemaking and democratization, thus creating space for the analysis, negotiation and agreement of measures and mechanisms to be adopted for the coordination, consultation and follow-up of the commitments adopted by the Central American Presidents at the summit meetings, and particularly as regards national and regional efforts to meet the priority challenges of a political, economic, social, environmental and security-related nature. Indeed, the Declaration of Antigua, Guatemala, of 12 June 1990 reaffirmed their statement that "we have Central American paths to peace and development".

Accordingly, as of 1990, the Central American Governments in the process of strengthening peace and democracy saw the need to examine the restructuring, strengthening and reactivation of regional economic integration, and the need to make this a means to promote development objectives and to readapt and improve Central America's position as part of its efforts to align itself with the new international environment. All this culminated in the signing of the Protocol of Tegucigalpa to the Charter of the Organization of Central American States on 13 December 1991, which established the Central American Integration System. The System began to operate on 1 February 1993.

The Central American Integration System is a renewed and dynamic mechanism responsible for promoting not the sectoral, economic or commercial integration of the past, but rather a global process, which encompasses the political, economic, social, cultural and environmental spheres, ensuring effective coordination among the organs, agencies and institutions of the Integration System. It guarantees sustainable development, in balance and harmony, to facilitate the attainment of the vital objectives established in the Framework Treaty creating the system to turn Central America

"into a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development" (A/49/580, annex I, para. 51 (a))

on the firm basis of respect for and protection and promotion of the human rights of Central Americans. This, in the final analysis, can contribute to regional unity in response to the traditional aspirations of our peoples.

It is essential to emphasize that the promotion and implementation of the new integral development strategy in Central America at the national and regional levels should take shape through the Alliance for Sustainable Development, in which priorities are set in the areas that I have just mentioned, in accordance with presidential decisions. This is based on the support for the Central American Integration System, through close cooperation between its General Secretariat and the technical secretariats of the regional subsystems and entities. Further information on this development strategy and on the Central American Integration System can be found in documents A/49/580 of 27 October 1994 and A/50/146 of 20 July 1995.

The relevance of regional integration in its multidimensional design and in the framework of respect for pluralism and ethnic diversity was reaffirmed, in the Declaration of San Salvador II, at the Central American Summit Conference held in El Salvador in March this year in response to the challenges resulting from recent regional and global changes caused by the globalization of production, new computer-based technologies and new organizational methods. That meeting made headway in the process through the adoption of the Treaty on Central American Social Integration, which established within the Central American Integration System the legal, institutional and operational framework to promote this objective. This, in turn, reflects the commitment of Central American Governments to making every effort to improve the standard of living of our peoples.

Bearing in mind the new development strategy and the role assigned to the Central American Integration System, our Presidents have attached prime importance to strengthening the System as an institution and its participation and approach at the national, regional and international levels, thus enabling it to fulfil its role efficiently.

It is in this context that the Central American countries took the initiative to request the inclusion of item 155 -- the item that we are now considering -- on the General Assembly's agenda. The draft resolution under this item is entitled "Observer status for the Central American Integration System" and is sponsored by countries from different regional groups. At this time I wish to inform the Assembly that to the list of sponsors contained in document A/50/L.2 the following countries have been added: Algeria, Barbados, Canada, Cuba, Cyprus, Greece, Guyana, Iceland, Japan, the Marshall Islands, Poland, the Russian Federation, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago.

The draft resolution, in its preambular part, refers to the Tegucigalpa Protocol -- which has been registered in the United Nations Secretariat -- through which purposes, principles and institutional structure in Central America have been modified by the establishment of the Central American Integration System. It also points out that one of the basic principles of the System is respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

In the operative part of the draft resolution the General Assembly decides to invite the Central American Integration System to participate in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly in the capacity of observer, and it requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary action to implement the resolution.

Convinced that the granting of observer status to the Central American Integration System will facilitate attainment of the primary objectives of Central America, we have no doubt that, with the complete support of Member States, the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus.

I should like to conclude by quoting from a decision adopted by the Central American Presidents at their last special session, which was held in Costa del Sol, El Salvador, on 5 October this year:

"We reaffirm our desire that observer status at the United Nations be granted to the Central American Integration System (SICA), and we are grateful for the many expressions of support for this desire by State Members of the United Nations. At the same time, we urge the international community as a whole to provide its valuable support for putting this initiative into effect"

and for the achievement of the objectives and aspirations of the Central American peoples.

Mr. Dumitriu (Romania)

Romania is among the sponsors of draft resolution A/50/L.2, which requests that observer status at the General Assembly be granted to the Central American Integration System.

My delegation has many reasons for supporting the draft resolution. We should like to underscore just two of these.

First, we believe that the efforts of the Central American countries to adapt to a new regional reality -- in other words, a Central America that is more orderly and democratic -- deserve our support. The determination of these countries to broaden and strengthen the region's participation in the international sphere is also commendable. Not too long ago, when we referred to this region we talked about wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. Fortunately, now, as is emphasized in the explanatory memorandum related to document A/50/146, what we are talking about is the quest for integral well-being and sustainable development for Central Americans -- making Central America a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development. This is a change of profound significance, which we should all commend.

Secondly, my delegation sincerely believes in the virtues of integration. Romania itself is seeking full integration into European economic, political and security structures. For this reason, Romania sympathizes deeply with the integration efforts of Central American and other countries.

In conclusion, my delegation takes great pleasure in supporting the draft resolution now under the General Assembly's consideration and hopes that it will be adopted by consensus.

Mr. Laing (Belize)

The delegation of Belize is honoured to be a sponsor of draft resolution A/50/L.2. The Government of Belize, a country in the very heart of Central America, has observed the recent evolution of the Central American integration process with increasing satisfaction. In an era of convergence, it is doubly gratifying to reflect that in this effort of integration those States of Central America which are members of this Integration System are merely continuing a distinguished tradition of close, organized cooperation now nearly 200 years old. We applaud our neighbours for continuing to lead the world in this matter.

The Government of Belize has had the signal honour of regularly cooperating with the member States and the institutions of this Integration System. In particular, I wish to advert to our participation in the Alliance for Sustainable Development and the Alliance for Social Development. We have been particularly gratified by the fact that the activities within that framework now embrace the cultural, social and political spheres. Only by integrated action can there be genuine, harmonious and balanced development of peoples, individuals and member States. Belize's participation in these activities reflects the wisdom of the parties to the treaty viewing the region as an organic whole in which historically diverse cultures can make a dignified contribution. We are grateful that Belize's participation now transcends its being a passive recipient of internationally displaced persons from the rest of Central America, who are now over 20 per cent of our population.

The delegation of Belize fully agrees that the cooperation and integration to which this draft resolution adverts will most probably conduce to the furtherance of regional peace and reconciliation for which we all yearn.

My delegation fully supports the request for the deepening of cooperation with the United Nations through the according of observer status to the institution. Of course, such details as the applicability of Chapter VIII of the Charter, referred to in the explanatory memorandum, will bear further examination. But in general, my delegation fully supports the text of this important draft resolution and requests that it be adopted by consensus.

The President

We have heard the last speaker on this item.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.2.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.2?

The President

In accordance with the resolution just adopted, I now call on the Secretary-General of the Central American Integration System, His Excellency Mr. Roberto Herrera Cáceres.

Mr. Herrera Cáceres (Secretary-General, Central American Integration System)

It is an honour for me, as a Central American, to reiterate the congratulations expressed to you, Sir, by the representatives of Central American States on your rightful election to the presidency of the Assembly. Your presence ensures that it will be wisely guided.

As Secretary-General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), I wish also to express our deep appreciation for the decision to invite the Central American Integration System to participate, as an observer, in the work of the General Assembly at this session.

The granting of observer status at the United Nations is very significant, as it is a manifestation of the ever greater understanding in the United Nations of the fundamental role of subregional organizations, such as the Central American Integration System, that have been recognized and followed by the General Assembly itself, as can be seen in resolutions 48/161 of 1993 and 49/137 of 1994, entitled "The situation in Central America: procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development".

In those resolutions it is recognized that the Central American Integration System

"constitutes the institutional framework for subregional integration through which integrated development can be promoted in an effective, orderly and coherent manner". (resolutions 48/161 and 49/137, third preambular paragraph)

In addition, the General Assembly stresses

"the importance of honouring the commitments to accelerate the establishment of a new model of regional security in Central America as established in the Tegucigalpa Protocol of 13 December 1991, which established the Central American Integration System (SICA)". (resolution 48/161, ninth preambular paragraph)

In its earlier resolutions the General Assembly also highlights

"the functioning of the Central American Integration System since 1 February 1993 and the registry of the Tegucigalpa Protocol with the United Nations Secretariat, expresses its full support for the efforts made by Central Americans, under the political leadership of their Presidents, to stimulate and broaden the integration process in the context of the Central American Integration System, and calls on Member States and international organizations to provide effective cooperation to Central America so that it can steadily promote and strengthen subregional integration in order to make it an effective mechanism for achieving sustainable development". (resolution 49/137, para. 5)

In keeping with this appeal, the United Nations has now fraternally embraced us, bearing witness to the great ecumenical interdependence characteristic of the present day. It has done this by granting us observer status on this day which coincides with the celebration of Hispanic Day and, in particular, on the day on which we Central Americans are celebrating the first anniversary of the signing, at the meeting of Central American Presidents and the Prime Minister of Belize, of the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America, which constitutes the strategy for the integral development of the Central American isthmus.

On this day we Central Americans are also celebrating the first anniversary of the entry into force of our Central American Court of Justice, which is the principal judicial organ of the Central American Integration System (SICA), entrusted with ensuring respect for the law in the interpretation and application of the Tegucigalpa Protocol, the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America and of other instruments and acts that complement them and stem from them. This makes it clear that the Central American isthmus is advancing steadily towards the perfecting of a Central American community of law.

The Central American Integration System, in addition to working towards the integral development of the isthmus in the economic, social, cultural, political and ecological spheres, and guided by its regional development strategy, is also working to conclude a treaty of regional democratic security based on the strengthening of civil authority; on the promotion of sustainable development; on the protection of the environment; on the eradication of extreme poverty and of violence, corruption, terrorism, drug trafficking and the traffic in arms; on a reasonable balance of forces; and on confidence-building measures.

This new model of Central American democratic security also includes a regional plan for disaster reduction and an institutional force for Central American solidarity, whose task it is to coordinate the capacities and the resources of the Central American States with those of SICA in order to combat natural threats and disasters. With all these arrangements, the Central American people will be working with greater confidence and resolve to achieve sustainable development, in the knowledge that there exists the political will, the legal system and the action-oriented mechanisms whose progressive implementation will protect them from the military and non-military dangers and risks that could jeopardize their lasting development.

The broad-ranging and open design of the Central American Integration System reflects the importance we attach to effective give-and-take with other regional systems, with the inter-American system and with the United Nations system, in order to promote actions and interactions of mutual advantage that can enable the organizations and their member States to benefit from the best experiences and from the progress of mankind.

In this context, the progress and democratization of organizations and of the international order have as a common denominator humanistic criteria and the criteria of solidarity and the promotion of equal opportunities for their societies to enjoy in a just and fair fashion the fruits of the economy, of trade, of information and training, of science and technology -- in a word, of development, regardless of the part of the world where these factors are being strengthened. Only in this way will it be possible for us to move from a world divided for all to a world shared by all.

The Central American Integration System and the Organization of American States (OAS) began their relations of international cooperation in 1994. The Secretaries-General of the two organizations have concluded a cooperation agreement that will make it easier to exploit together the possibilities for mutual support with a view to integral development.

The General Assembly of the OAS has requested that we effectively coordinate American regional action with Central American subregional action and we, in SICA, are prepared to coordinate our work in the most effective way possible.

For these and other reasons, the granting of observer status requires all the organs and institutions of the Central American Integration System to offer all our experience as a juridical and political organization of the Central American isthmus to this prestigious universal Organization and to its Member States. At the same time, it requires us to avail ourselves of the wealth of experience of the United Nations, which we also hope to apply in our daily work through efficient and harmonious coordination that will increasingly make possible the best use of the efforts and the resources of the member States of our respective organizations.

The President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 155?