General Assembly Session 53 meeting 36

The Acting President

I should like first to draw the attention of representatives to document A/53/298/Add.l, which contains a letter dated 1 October 1998 addressed to the President of the General Assembly by the Chairman of the Committee on Conferences. As members are aware, the Assembly, in paragraph 7 of its resolution 40/243, decided that no subsidiary organ of the General Assembly should be permitted to meet at United Nations Headquarters during a regular session of the Assembly unless explicitly authorized by the Assembly.

As indicated in the letter I have just mentioned, the Committee on Conferences has recommended that the General Assembly authorize the Committee on Information to meet in New York during the main part of the fifty-third session of the General Assembly.

May I take it that the General Assembly adopts the recommendation of the Committee on Conferences?

Mr. Mohammed (Ethiopia)

Permit me at the outset to thank the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, for his report on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. The report provides a comprehensive and objective analysis of the sources of conflict in Africa, ranging from historical legacies to economic challenges and factors attributable to specific conflict situations. Most important, it examines, at length and with the requisite clarity, the various ways and means at the disposal of the international community and Africa to address conflicts in the continent, and it draws important conclusions and recommendations that require further follow-up and implementation. In this respect, my delegation commends the follow-up actions taken thus far by the Secretary-General and by the Security Council, in particular the holding of the ministerial meeting of the Council on 24 September 1998.

We are also grateful to the President of the General Assembly for giving this matter the attention and the priority it deserves in the deliberations of the Assembly at its current session.

Africa is indeed a vast and varied continent, and the sources of conflict and the challenges it faces reflect in many ways its diversity. But, as the Secretary-General rightly points out in his report, the sources of the challenges and conflicts in Africa are closely interrelated or are linked by a number of common themes and experiences. Inasmuch as the causes of conflict in Africa and the challenges that African countries face are complex and diverse, their solution clearly demands the determined effort of Africa and genuine partnership on the part of the international community.

The past few years have been viewed by many as the beginning of a new era of hope and of African renaissance. Notwithstanding the failures and tragedies, especially in Somalia and Rwanda, the present decade has undoubtedly witnessed important transformations in Africa. Many African countries, including my own, have undertaken far-reaching political and economic reform measures aimed at promoting political pluralism and establishing an environment conducive to a market-oriented economy. Regional cooperation and integration have also gained new dimensions and momentum in Africa, leading to the establishment of the African Economic Community and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. The role and contribution of subregional organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), both in the field of economic integration and in conflict prevention and resolution have also become an important factor for stability and progress in Africa in recent years.

In spite of these laudable accomplishments and our expectations and hopes for the best, developments of the past few months, namely the emergence of new conflicts and the resurgence of old ones in various parts of Africa, have become a serious source of concern and preoccupation. This makes the debate on the report of the Secretary-General and the focus on Africa all the more timely and challenging.

In addressing the sources of conflict in Africa, the Secretary-General rightly refers to historical legacies as one of the factors of conflict in Africa, especially in the context of boundary or territorial disputes. The significance of these legacies and the need for permanent solutions was acknowledged from the very outset by the founding fathers of our regional organization, the OAU, who in their great wisdom and vision declared in 1963 that African countries would accept boundaries inherited at the time of their accession to independence. As rightly pointed out by the Secretary-General, that wisdom and vision of African leaders has proved over the past three and half decades to be indispensable in preventing and resolving conflicts arising from territorial claims in Africa.

More often than not, in situations of border disputes, violations of this sacrosanct principle, accompanied by the use of force, remain the primary source of territorial conflicts in Africa. Needless to say, even in the absence of that principle, it is very clear that international law prohibits the use of force, except in self-defence, as a means of resolving disputes or changing circumstances on the ground.

This explains the cause of the present unfortunate and dangerous situation in the Horn of Africa, and the irresponsible and belligerent behaviour of Eritrea towards its neighbours and its recent aggression against Ethiopia. The present conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is not just a simple or ordinary bilateral dispute between the two countries. Rather it is the result of aggression committed by Eritrea, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles enshrined in the charters of the United Nations and of the OAU.

The Government of Ethiopia, guided by its unwavering commitment to the peace and development not only of its own people but also of its subregion, has exercised maximum self-restraint in the face of the Eritrean aggression. It has accepted and fully cooperated with the various peace efforts, initiatives and decisions, in particular those of the United States and Rwandan facilitators and the decisions of the OAU and of the Security Council. Eritrea, however, remains defiant in its rejection of these important initiatives and decisions.

It goes without saying that primary responsibility for resolving conflicts in Africa and elsewhere rests in the hands of the parties directly involved. The international community, in particular the United Nations system, and relevant regional and subregional organizations also have a pivotal role not only in facilitating or complementing the efforts of the parties concerned, but also in ensuring respect for the norms and principles of international law, especially when these are so flagrantly violated. Inaction on the part of the international community and appeasement in the face of such violations will only encourage intransigence and set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences for peace and stability. It should be made clear that lasting peace cannot be achieved at the expense of, or by compromising, principles and norms of international law, or by appeasement of those who engage in irresponsible action.

The Secretary-General highlights in his report various means and methods of responding to conflict situations, and makes important recommendations, some of which have been followed through by the Secretary-General and by the Security Council. In particular, we welcome the measures aimed at enhancing African capacity and preparedness for peacekeeping, as well as the efforts being made to address questions relating to illicit arms transfers and to the implementation of arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council.

One of the important issues raised in the report is the role of external factors in peace efforts and the need for coordination of their actions. In fulfilling the mandate entrusted to it by the OAU and IGAD, Ethiopia has made and continues to make efforts to assist in the resolution of the crisis in Somalia.

Our experience in this regard has clearly shown that parallel initiatives and the lack of coordination among external actors have created obstacles to making an effective impact on the peace process. Therefore, with recognition of the need for coordination of all external forces for durable peace in Somalia, encouraging efforts are now being made to establish a mechanism for harmonizing the policies and actions of external actors. We are confident that the international community, and the United Nations in particular, will provide their support for this endeavour, and we remain actively engaged in the search for peace in Somalia.

Cooperation and coordination of activities between the United Nations and the OAU are essential for the success of efforts to deal with conflict situations in Africa. My delegation wishes in this connection to acknowledge the important measures taken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to enhance and strengthen the cooperation and coordination between the two organizations.

The tragic victims of violent conflicts in Africa, as in other parts of the world, are often innocent civilians, including children, which makes the humanitarian dimension of conflicts an issue of grave concern to the international community. In most conflict situations in the continent international action has been largely initiated in response to appalling humanitarian tragedies. In all circumstances, however, it should be stressed clearly that respect for the rules and norms of international humanitarian law by all parties to a conflict is not an option, but an imperative. Humanitarian responses and actions need to be undertaken in a coordinated and timely manner and with strict adherence to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and universality. It is of absolute importance that all the sectors involved in humanitarian activities, including the United Nations system, respect these principles and avoid roles contrary to their mandates, which must remain strictly humanitarian at all times and in all places.

As pointed out in the Secretary-General's report, development is a human right and remains the principal long-term objective of all countries in Africa. Sustainable development is also central to the prospect of conflict prevention and durable peace in Africa. It is clearly evident that to succeed in building frameworks for enduring peace and stability on the African continent, the international community must form genuine partnerships with the African countries to strengthen the continent's social and economic foundations.

In short, while the international community should continue to focus on achieving peace, security and stability, which are so pivotal, it should not ignore the magnitude of the socio-economic challenges confronting the continent, which are real and are at the centre of the issue of peace in the continent.

African countries are cognizant of this stark reality and have undertaken far-reaching economic reforms aimed at revitalizing and transforming their economies. It was hoped that these actions would make Africa an attractive destination for capital and foreign direct investment. Regrettably, these much desired outcomes have largely not materialized. First, the level of external assistance is declining and export earnings are shrinking as commodity prices plummet. Secondly, due to declining domestic resources to finance the necessary social overhead capital, Africa is not able to tap the benefits of the growing global economy.

Africa therefore strongly advocates reforms and calls for globalization that is responsive and sensitive to the situation of the world's weakest economies. This has to be accomplished through increased and carefully targeted official development assistance flows, by opening up markets for commodities of export interest to Africa, by converting official bilateral debts owed by the poorest African countries into grants and by improving the access of people living in poverty to productive opportunity. In this regard, Ethiopia fully endorses the recommendations of the Secretary-General made at the informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Development Assistance Committee countries and reiterated during the ministerial meeting of the Security Council on 24 September 1998. These recommendations rightly highlight priority areas in meeting Africa's economic challenges. We believe that implementation of these recommendations greatly helps mitigate the negative impacts of globalization in Africa. It could also help the efforts of African countries to promote economic growth and development in the continent.

In concluding, let me express the conviction of my delegation that with sufficient political will and determination on the part of all of us -- both in Africa and in the international community at large -- we will be able to lay a solid foundation for peace and development in Africa as we enter the new millennium.

Mr. Pohan (Indonesia)

The delegation of Indonesia considers it both timely and appropriate for the General Assembly to undertake a review and reappraisal of our collective and concerted endeavours to restore peace and stability and enhance prospects for development in the African continent. Our deliberations reflect the continuing concern of the international community over these issues facing Africa and its collective determination to forge a partnership between the continent and the rest of the world to resolve them.

We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his report of 13 April 1998 on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, which contains balanced suggestions between economic and security issues, on the one hand, and internal and international aspects, on the other, and whose implementation would bolster peace and security in the continent. We also support the five priority areas he outlined at the outset of our debate. In our view, the steps to be taken by the Secretariat and United Nations organs on follow-up activities based on these specific proposals contain realistic and achievable goals in mitigating the numerous problems confronting the African countries.

Indonesia reiterates its support for the efforts being made to reach the goals envisioned by the people of Africa, in concert with the position taken by the Non-Aligned Movement in its Final Document adopted in Durban, South Africa. The Movement, while recognizing the recent positive developments in Africa in the socio-economic fields, injected a fresh, new momentum into our continuing endeavours to collectively address the various interlinked issues through a comprehensive and integrated approach.

On the basis of the experience of many Member States, including Indonesia, a recognition of the interrelated nature of peace, security and development against the backdrop of a world that is entering a qualitatively new horizon should lead to the peaceful resolution of disputes which will mitigate the negative impact of globalization that threatens to marginalize the developing countries and further reduce the minimal advantages they enjoy.

As Africa stands poised at the threshold of the next millennium and looks towards the attainment of its goals of stable peace and secure economic prosperity, its abundant natural resources and the innate genius of its people will be a force to be reckoned with in the global economy. However, such a prospect calls for an environment of peace and security, without which development would be impeded. Hence, my delegation views with apprehension the persistence of conflicts in various parts of Africa, resulting in an unconscionable toll in human lives and material devastation. In this regard, we welcome the involvement of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and subregional organizations, and we commend their tireless efforts to resolve disputes peacefully and amicably through dialogue and negotiations, as conflicts in Africa are not amenable to military solutions. There is much that these organizations can achieve through working in concert to remove obstacles that endanger security, and thereby facilitate the peace process. Ultimately, however, it is up to the leaders of Africa to set aside their differences in the larger interests of their peoples and countries. The need of the hour demands no less.

It is pertinent to note that in its presidential statement of 16 September 1998, the Security Council affirmed its intention to take steps consistent with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and called for the strengthening of Africa's capacity to participate in all aspects of peacekeeping and for increased bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of peacekeeping. Resolution 1197 (1998), adopted by the Council last month, focuses our attention on the need to undertake a series of measures that would contribute to conflict prevention and resolution. Taken together, they would augment Africa's capabilities with regard to both peacekeeping and dealing with conflict situations and thereby contribute to the stability of the continent.

It is also self-evident that in the arduous task of building the essential infrastructure for peace and stability in the African continent, the international community must work together with the African countries in strengthening the continent's economic and social foundations. Poverty and pestilence, illiteracy and hunger breed despair and resentment. Only through sustained economic and social development will people gain a vested interest in working towards peaceful solutions of their differences.

It no longer suffices for the international community to convene and merely engage in perfunctory expressions of empathy and support for the African countries without extending concrete assistance. If indeed there is a genuine desire to prevent humanitarian disaster or to avoid costly peacekeeping operations and peacemaking efforts, then comprehensive, concerted and concrete action on economic development cooperation must be taken. Anything less will cast aspersions on the credibility of the international community's commitment to the cause of Africa. Let me emphasize our full support for the Assembly's endeavours in exercising its jurisdiction and in fulfilling its responsibilities to Africa.

Indonesia's commitment to the people of Africa has in the past been demonstrated by, among other things, its support of African development during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, its participation in such forums as the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s; support for the United Nations Special Initiative on Africa; and bilateral cooperation with a number of African countries.

Finally, I am pleased to inform the Assembly that Indonesia convened a High-level Advisory Meeting on the South Summit in Jakarta last August and will convene the forthcoming High-level Meeting on Regional/Subregional Cooperation in Bali from 2 to 4 December of this year, which will pave the way for the next South summit meeting in Cuba prior to the Millennium Assembly in the year 2000 to further intensify South-South cooperation. It is our hope that these processes will help meet the challenges of globalization facing the South, and Africa in particular, and thereby facilitate the integration of the developing countries into the mainstream of the global economy.

Mr. Belinga-Eboutou (Cameroon)

A problem occurred in a Python script. Here is the sequence of function calls leading up to the error, in the order they occurred.

<type 'exceptions.UnicodeEncodeError'>: 'ascii' codec can't encode character u'\xea' in position 1339: ordinal not in range(128)
      args = ('ascii', u'\n\t<p id="pg005-bk01-pa01">As the Security Counci...ennium. When Africa awakes, it will remember.</p>', 1339, 1340, 'ordinal not in range(128)')
      encoding = 'ascii'
      end = 1340
      message = ''
      object = u'\n\t<p id="pg005-bk01-pa01">As the Security Counci...ennium. When Africa awakes, it will remember.</p>'
      reason = 'ordinal not in range(128)'
      start = 1339