General Assembly Session 51 meeting 62

The Acting President

I call on the representative of Bulgaria to introduce draft resolution A/51/L.22.

Mr. Raichev (Bulgaria)

Allow me on behalf of my delegation to express our appreciation for having been given the opportunity to address the General Assembly on such an important agenda item. I will concentrate particularly on the issue of economic assistance to States affected by the implementation of the Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The special economic problems arising for third States as a result of Security Council sanctions have been a subject of intensive discussion in the United Nations during the past few years. Its consideration in the General Assembly, the Security Council and other relevant United Nations bodies is an acknowledgement that the United Nations needs to intensify its efforts to address more effectively the economic problems of third States affected by sanctions imposed by the Security Council, and has resulted in the adoption of a number of important resolutions and decisions.

In this connection, I would like to mention in particular the adoption of General Assembly resolutions 48/210 of 21 December 1993, 49/21 A of 2 December 1994, and 50/58 E of 12 December 1995, appealing to Member States and to the relevant organs and bodies of the United Nations system to provide on an urgent basis assistance to the States affected by the strict implementation of the sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

By these resolutions the Assembly has recognized the severity of the economic problems of the affected third States and the need to mobilize the efforts of the international community, in compliance with the Charter, in order to address the difficulties experienced by those States. The steps undertaken in this context are outlined in the report of the Secretary-General (A/51/356) submitted under this agenda item at the current session. I would like to express our appreciation for the preparation of this report, which in our view contains useful conclusions and recommendations.

I take this opportunity also to commend the efforts of international financial institutions, other international organizations and Member States which responded to the Secretary-General's appeal to take the special economic problems of the affected countries into account in their support programmes. We also note with appreciation continued attention on the part of intergovernmental and regional organizations, in particular the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union, as well as the support rendered through the Central European Initiative.

The successful conclusion of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Annexes thereto initialled on 21 November 1995 in Dayton, Ohio, and signed on 14 December 1995 in Paris ended the long and destructive conflict in the former Yugoslavia and opened up the possibility of starting the process of post-conflict peace-building and the lasting stabilization and recovery of the whole region. The suspension and subsequent termination of the Security Council sanctions were an important element in this process. We welcome and support these developments.

At the same time, it must be recognized that while the sanctions regime was lifted after the conclusion of the Peace Agreement, the long-term impact of the sanctions on the economies of the affected third States still persists. I do not intend to go into details on the continuing negative consequences of the sanctions for the national economies of those States, since detailed data on the matter has already been presented on a number of occasions. A detailed analysis of the situation with regard to Bulgaria is contained also in our national communication on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 50/58 E addressed to the Secretary-General and circulated as an official document of the General Assembly and the Security Council (A/51/330-S/1996/721). Similar documents have also been presented by other affected countries. The continuing economic problems for the affected third States and the need for continued support by the international community are also described in the report of the Secretary-General (A/51/356).

Having said that, I take this opportunity to introduce draft resolution A/51/L.22, entitled "Economic assistance to States affected by the implementation of the Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". The following Member States have joined in sponsoring this draft resolution: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Bulgaria.

The draft resolution retains the main thrust of previous resolutions on the issue but reflects new developments during the past year. It expresses concern at the persisting impact on the economies of the affected third States in the post-sanctions period and reaffirms the continuing need for an adequate response from the international community and the relevant United Nations organs, programmes and specialized agencies, including the international financial institutions. The draft resolution also reaffirms the continuing need for practical measures to mitigate the negative impact of the sanctions on the affected States by supporting their financial stabilization, developing the transport and communications infrastructure, promoting trade and increasing their active involvement in the post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region. Particular attention is paid to the possibilities opened up for strengthening multilateral regional cooperation in all spheres, as outlined in the Royaumont Platform for Action of the European Union and the Sofia Declaration of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the countries of the region on Good Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in the Balkans, including the realization of cross-border infrastructure projects, the promotion of trade and investments, and so on.

We are hopeful that given the importance and magnitude of the problem I have outlined, the draft resolution will receive the unanimous support of the Member States of the United Nations and will be adopted by consensus.

The Acting President

I now call on the representative of Cameroon to introduce draft resolution A/51/L.24.

Mr. Mpay (Cameroon)

I am speaking on behalf of the African Group to introduce draft resolution A/51/L.24 on "Assistance to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Liberia". As we are all aware, Liberia has been one of the hardest hit African countries for several years now. It has suffered a fratricidal civil war which has undermined all the country's institutions, caused severe damage to the physical and social infrastructure, driven hundreds of thousands of refugees out of the country and given rise to many displaced persons within its frontiers. This situation has brought tremendous suffering to the Liberian people, who are also facing serious economic problems. The member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), I am pleased to say, have taken a number of positive initiatives designed to bring peace and reconciliation to the country.

We are aware of the work that the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) has done in Liberia with regard to peace and security in the country. Thanks to its presence, Liberia has not disintegrated. We also welcome the efforts of the Heads of State of ECOWAS for their peacemaking efforts which culminated in the appointment of Mrs. Ruth Sando Perry as Chairman of the Council of State. The various factions in Liberia are fighting for power. The agreement reached in Abuja was able to elicit unanimous approval for Mrs. Perry to become Chairman of the Council of State.

Draft resolution A/51/L.24 takes into account the overall situation in the country and provides for the measures needed to enable the country to free itself from its difficult economic situation. The draft resolution is almost the same as last year's resolution except for a few amendments which take into account developments in the situation in the country. Thus, in the second preambular paragraph the draft resolution takes note of Security Council resolution 1071 (1996) of 30 August 1996, in which the Council welcomed the agreement reached in Abuja in 1996 which extended the 1995 Abuja agreement until 15 June 1997. It remains to be seen if the various faction chiefs respect the agreement. In the fifth preambular paragraph, the draft resolution welcomes the induction into office on 3 September 1996 of Mrs. Ruth Sando Perry as the new Chairman of the Council of State and her efforts to restore the cohesiveness and authority of the Council.

As the Assembly is aware, the pillaging that broke out in August this year caused enormous damage in the country. Therefore the operative paragraphs of the draft resolution call on the international community to provide assistance to the Liberian Government to enable it to extricate itself from its current difficult situation.

In operative paragraph 1, the draft resolution expresses gratitude to all States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have rendered assistance to the Liberian National Transitional Government and urges them to continue their efforts. Of course, the draft resolution commends the Secretary-General for his continuing efforts to mobilize relief and rehabilitation assistance for Liberia. It also calls upon all States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to provide Liberia with technical, financial and other assistance for the repatriation and resettlement of Liberian refugees, returnees and displaced persons and the rehabilitation of combatants so as to facilitate the restoration of peace and normalcy in Liberia.

The Assembly is aware that the Trust Fund for Liberia was set up to provide assistance to the country. The draft resolution therefore reiterates its appeal to all States to contribute generously to the Fund.

The draft resolution is very realistic in that we know that humanitarian organizations in Liberia are often the target of attacks. Thus in operative paragraph 5 the draft resolution deplores all attacks against and intimidation of personnel of the United Nations, its specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and ECOMOG, as well as the looting of their equipment, supplies and personal property. It calls on all factions and their leaders to respect fully the security and safety of all personnel of the United Nations, its specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and ECOMOG by ensuring their complete freedom of movement throughout Liberia.

The Secretary-General is requested in paragraph 7 of this draft resolution (A/51/L.24) to continue his efforts to mobilize all possible assistance within the United Nations system to help the Government of Liberia in its reconstruction and development efforts. The draft resolution also requests the Secretary-General to undertake, when conditions permit and in close collaboration with the Liberian authorities, an overall assessment of needs with the objective of holding a round-table conference of donors for the reconstruction and development of Liberia.

This is the substance of the draft resolution for adoption before the General Assembly. As I said at the beginning of my remarks, Liberia is a country which has been suffering from tremendous economic problems and unspeakable human suffering. That is why the countries of Africa wish to see this draft resolution adopted by the Assembly by consensus.

Mr. Campbell (Ireland)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following associated countries have aligned themselves with this statement: Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. Liechtenstein and Romania have also aligned themselves with this statement.

The situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa, now so dramatically changed in the space of a few days, underlines the importance of being prepared to respond in a timely, coordinated and effective manner to humanitarian crises in order to alleviate the suffering of our fellow human beings.

At a special meeting of European development and humanitarian aid ministers to consider the humanitarian crisis in central Africa, the European Union expressed full support for the efforts of the United Nations, regional leaders and the Organization of African Unity to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive resolution of the conflict, and reaffirmed the commitment of the Union to assist in every way possible.

The ministers further stressed the need to work in a coordinated manner with the international humanitarian agencies and with non-governmental organizations to ensure an effective humanitarian response to the crisis, and underlined the coordinating role of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in the United Nations system.

The troika of European Union ministers and the European Commission subsequently visited Zaire and Rwanda in order to acquire first-hand information on the situation. The ministers found that the United Nations agencies, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and the non-governmental organizations were well prepared, under the prevailing circumstances, for the tasks of delivering the necessary humanitarian relief and the voluntary repatriation of the refugees.

The situation has, of course, been changing in a way that was difficult to predict only a few days ago. Developments are being monitored at the highest level in the European Union and every effort is being made to provide urgently required assistance to aid agencies now in Rwanda to take care of the returned refugees and support their resettlement and to assist the refugees and displaced persons in eastern Zaire.

The European Union welcomes the promptness with which the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Flash Appeal for the Great Lakes Region in Response to the Crisis in Eastern Zaire for resources was launched and has already made initial responses, both individually and through the European Community. In addition, the European Union attaches the highest importance to the strengthening of the monitoring of human rights.

The crisis in the Great Lakes region has challenged the international community to provide effective humanitarian assistance, as it must seek to do in all emergencies which demand an international response. An even greater and more enduring challenge is to work to prevent natural disasters and complex emergencies and to facilitate, to the extent possible, a smooth transition from humanitarian assistance towards rehabilitation and long-term development, including through taking a long-term development perspective, even in the early stages of reacting to emergencies.

The Secretary-General's report (A/51/172) addressed both the ongoing efforts to strengthen the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance and the related process of review of the United Nations system's capacity to respond, which was initiated by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session in 1995. I addressed both these issues in some detail in my statement on behalf of the European Union at the Economic and Social Council earlier this year, and I intend today to concentrate on a number of areas of particular concern to us.

Some progress has been made by the United Nations system on strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance, but it is obvious that greater efforts are needed to improve the system's capacity to respond effectively, especially in the field. We feel that a number of the mechanisms mandated under General Assembly resolution 46/182 (1991) to help strengthen coordination could be used more effectively.

The consolidated inter-agency appeals process has worked adequately, but could be improved through more coherence in presentations and humanitarian strategies based on greater prioritization. We urge the agencies involved to intensify their cooperation with the Department of Humanitarian Affairs to work towards a more effective process.

The other resource mobilization tool created to help ensure a timely response -- that is, the Central Emergency Revolving Fund -- is operating as it was expected to and has shown its value again in the present crisis. We note that there are still some problems with the effective utilization and prompt replenishment of the Fund and we urge those agencies involved to make reimbursements as a matter of urgency so as to preserve the essential character of the Fund, which is its revolving nature.

A common understanding of shared objectives by the agencies involved and a willingness to support the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Department of Humanitarian Affairs are crucial to ensuring an effective, timely and coordinated response to emergencies. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee has a central part to play in the process of defining the role of each of the bodies involved and their relationships with each other and with the United Nations system as a whole.

The European Union stresses again the importance it attaches to the review process initiated under Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/56. We encourage the relevant agencies and their governing bodies to complete their reviews of individual capacities in good time, to keep in mind the overarching theme, which is a review of the capacity of the system as a whole, and to seek to give coherent guidance to the system. All the reviews should be completed in time to allow the Secretary-General to draw on their content and recommendations when preparing his report for the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council in 1997.

The uncertain financial situation of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, where only 25 per cent of the resources needed for its functioning comes from the regular budget of the United Nations, continues to give cause for serious concern. We strongly support the appropriation of greater resources to Department of Humanitarian Affairs from the regular budget for the next biennium. We also encourage the broadening of the donor base by appealing to non-traditional donors to support the Department of Humanitarian Affairs and the overall work of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian emergencies, whether natural disasters or complex emergencies.

The safety, security and dignity of all people involved in emergency situations should be a priority at all times. The increasing lack of respect for humanitarian norms and principles is a cause for serious concern, as are the threats to the security and lives of personnel in the field. The ratification by Member States of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel as soon as possible would be a step in the right direction. In cases of conflict, the provisions of international humanitarian law apply, and they must be respected by all concerned.

Allow me to use this occasion to address briefly a procedural matter under this item. While recognizing the needs of individual countries and regions, the European Union remains concerned about the large number of draft resolutions appealing for special economic assistance which are submitted under this agenda item. We commend the efforts which have been made to streamline the texts and to biennialize when appropriate. We appeal to those States involved to abide by the spirit of General Assembly resolution 50/227 when texts are being drafted, and we look forward to discussing, later in the fifty-first session, ways to improve further the decision-making processes of the Assembly.

Finally, let me reaffirm that the European Union remains committed to responding to the fullest extent possible to the plight of people in emergency situations. The response capacity of the international community can and should be improved in order, first of all, to alleviate the suffering of those affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies and, secondly, to avoid the wasteful use of resources. We expect all those involved in the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance in the United Nations system to work together to produce a substantive report and recommendations for consideration by the Economic and Social Council next year. The United Nations system must meet the challenges it faces if it is to continue to receive the support of Governments in this crucial area of international cooperation. The European Union will continue to support all efforts to strengthen the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance.

Mr. Aass (Norway)

Norway welcomes the comprehensive report of the Secretary-General, presented to the Economic and Social Council at its last session, and now to the General Assembly, concerning strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance within the United Nations system. We appreciate the thorough and systematic work of the various United Nations organizations as well as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee in following up Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/56 as regards the review of responsibilities and capacities of the organizations in responding to humanitarian situations.

The Executive Boards or Committees of the United Nations Children's Fund, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization have all held substantial discussions on their role in humanitarian emergencies. This ongoing process should provide an excellent basis for fruitful discussions at the next session of the Economic and Social Council.

Norway has noted with great satisfaction that the issue of assistance to and protection of internally displaced persons has been a subject of debate in the follow-up of the Economic and Social Council resolution. There is a need to clarify the institutional responsibilities of agencies within the United Nations system. The growing number of internally displaced persons represents a special challenge to the international community as regards assistance, reintegration and relationships with local authorities. Norway supports the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons.

One of the systemic issues identified by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee for further inter-agency discussion is the question of coordination in complex emergencies. Norway strongly supported the creation of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure a coordinated international response to humanitarian emergencies. We are pleased to note that the Department has worked to improve its tools for coordination, among them the consolidated appeals process. We consider the consolidated appeals a good instrument for ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive response to emergencies. However, the Department often submits numerous appeals in addition to the consolidated ones. We have witnessed this in relation to the ongoing crisis in eastern Zaire. It is not always easy to understand the status of such appeals and how they are coordinated within the United Nations system. This is why we would like to emphasize that it is essential for donor Governments to be informed about the overall priorities of the United Nations system in an emergency situation. The Department of Humanitarian Affairs bears a great deal of responsibility in this respect.

An inter-agency sub-working group is now reviewing different possible options for field coordination. Norway considers this an issue of great importance, and we expect a further discussion of this at the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council. It is important that the report of the Secretary-General to that Council contain clear proposals and recommendations, based on the conclusions of the ongoing review process. All relevant experience from field coordination must be taken into account in working out and presenting the possible options.

It has been stated many times that prevention is better than cure, but this recognition is nevertheless difficult to act on. We have yet again seen a tragic event that the international community was unable to prevent, this time in the Great Lakes region. My Government is allocating resources to international efforts of negotiations and confidence-building measures to try to reduce the risk of open conflicts breaking out. Norway has established an emergency preparedness system, NOREPS, which enables us to call on staff and material resources at very short notice. We have also proposed to establish a fund to be at the disposal of the Secretary-General for rapid and preventive action. Still, much remains to be done in the field of prevention and contingency planning.

The United Nations and the international community have a very clear responsibility, based on humanitarian principles, to deal with humanitarian emergencies. However, we should at the same time emphasize that the countries whose populations are in need of assistance also have a responsibility to ensure access for humanitarian supplies, to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations and to ensure the safety of relief personnel.

The ongoing discussion throughout the United Nations system on humanitarian relief is an opportunity for agencies to clarify the relationship between humanitarian relief and long-term development or other forms of assistance. It is important that this discussion is reflected in the report of the Secretary-General to the Economic and Social Council. While the discussion in the Council will not be the end of this process, it should be a step on the way to improving the assistance from the international community to those whose lives and futures depend on it.

Mr. Moubarak (Lebanon)

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