I extend appreciation to our
visionary Secretary General His Excellency Kofi Annan for conceptualizing the idea of a
Millennium Summit.
I also compliment the distinguished
President of the 55th Session of the General Assembly, former Prime Minister of
Finland, Hon. Harri Holkeri co-chairman of the Millennium Summit.
This historical occasion affords us
an opportunity to reflect on the unique nature of the United Nations Organisation as the
body that recognizes the sovereign equality of all States, a principle that and affords
pride and dignity to countries and to peoples who have no global financial or military
power, and who have little influence except over their own destiny.
Since its inception, the United
Nations has had major influences in shaping the modem world and raising the standard of
living of millions of peoples.
Today, the people of Grenada thank
and praise the Decolonisation achievements, the WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, FAO and all the
other Organs that have had positively influenced our lives.
Mr. Chairman, severe poverty,
crippling debt servicing, diseases, including HIV/Aids, disrespect for human life, and
disregard for natural environment continue to threaten human progress. Debt forgiveness
will go a long way to bring relief to poor countries.
Debt forgiveness, Mr. President, is
not a financial loss to the global economy. It provides an opportunity for the economic
stimulation of the depressed and stagnant parts of the world's economy. Debt forgiveness
is a necessary pre-requisite to the furtherance of globalisation and economic development.
Grenada requests lending countries,
financial institutions and funding agencies to proclaim complete debt forgiveness to all
Developing countries, especially the heavily indebted poor countries.
Grenada also advocates the
establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund to facilitate quick responses for victims of
hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters that strike us with such
frequency and ferocity.
Mr. President, I also want to place
on record the support of the Government of Grenada for the proposal by the Commission on
Global Governance that a standing UN Volunteer Force be established.
Mr. President, Grenada renews its
commitment to principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
However, until the basics of life -
food, shelter, health and education - are satisfied, universal attainment of all Human
Rights will remain illusive. We urge greater effort in these areas.
The widening gap between developed
and developing countries amidst this rapid technological advance must be narrowed. The
people of Grenada therefore, in this age of Information and Communication Technology, call
on the United Nations to establish programmes and activities through consultations that
will assist developing countries to bridge this "digital divide".
Mr. President, a cartel of high-tax
nations, comprising the richest and most powerful countries, has launched a destructive
high-powered attack on low-tax countries, accusing us of "anti-competitive" tax
practices. Threats, imperialistic pressures and abuse of power in multi-lateral
organisations are being used to force many small states, including Grenada, to give up our
fiscal sovereignty. They have used adverse publicity techniques deliberately to condemn
and harm our economies. They have threatened various sanctions, sought to block access to
capital funds in multilateral organisations, and to impose financial protectionism and
total ostracism.
Mr. President, this is fiscal
imperialism. It tramples on principle of sovereign equality. It is contrary to
international law. It undermines freedom of competition, global investment and
liberalisation.
Mr. President, all countries have
the right to use fiscal policies to attract investment, save dying industries, and
stimulate development.
If there is to be some form of
global tax cooperation among countries, then it must be arrived at through negotiation in
a multilateral Forum of the stakeholders. As a small island economy without much leverage,
Grenada requests this august Forum to call on the G7 and the OECD countries to
multi-lateralize their approach, to involve the IMF, and the WTO to serve the interest of
all.
Mr. President, I cannot leave this
podium without paying tribute to the Government and people of the Republic of China on
Taiwan for the assistance given to Grenada in agriculture, fishing, health care,
education, culture and infrastructure.
Indeed, the Republic of China truly
subscribes to the words of that great Chinese philosopher Confucius when he said:
"give a man a fish and you satisfy his needs for a day; teach a man to fish and you
supply his needs for many, many days."
This is why the Government of
Grenada continues to advocate for full membership by the Republic of China in the United
Nations.
Finally, Mr. President, in today's
world of rapid technological advancements, we must never allow technology to take
precedence over humanity. The Government of Grenada stands ready to work with civil
society to ensure that the United Nations has the ability to respond to the needs of
people in the 21st century.
Let people
always be our priority and let us be guided by the almighty God.
Thank you.