ARGENTINA

Statement by
Dr. Carlos F. Ruckauf Minister
of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Argentine Republic
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
17 September 2002, New York

MR. PRESIDENT,

FIRSTLY, I WISH TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF THE 57TH PERIOD OF SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. MY COUNTRY CELEBRATES THE FACT THAT A DISTINGUISHED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAS BEEN CHOSEN.

THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC REJOICES WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE INCLUSION OF SWITZERLAND AS A NEW MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THE INDEPENDENCE OF EAST TIMOR, THE FORMATION OF ITS FIRST SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENT AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE JOINING THE UNITED NATIONS ARE THE RESULT OF THE STRUGGLE OF THAT COUNTRY TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHT TO FREE DETERMINATION. MY COUNTRY SALUTES THIS YOUNG NATION THAT IS NOW INCORPORATED TO INTERNATIONAL LIFE

ARGENTINA WISHES TO STRESS ITS SPECIAL GRATITUDE TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL, MR. KOFI ANNAN, FOR TRANSLATING, THROUGH HIS ACTIONS AND HIS PERMANENT SEARCH FOR PEACE, THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WISHING TO BUILD A MORE SECURE AND STABLE WORLD.

MR. PRESIDENT,

ONE YEAR AFTER THE CRIMINAL TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES WE REITERATE OUR SOLIDARITY TO THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. TERRORISM IS THE CHILD OF POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS FANATICISM. WE ARE CONVINCED THAT INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION HAS TO BE STRENGTHENED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ANY TERRORIST THREAT, TO ELIMINATE THAT THREAT THAT ENDANGERS PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE ATTACKS SHOULD BE JUDGED AND PUNISHED AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HELP THEM AND SUPPORT THEM. THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION, NOR WILL THERE BE ANY, FOR THESE BARBARIC ACTIONS THAT BRING SHAME TO HUMANITY.

MR. PRESIDENT,

IT IS BAD THAT THERE ARE MEMBER STATES THAT DON'T ABIDE BY UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS.

IT IS INTOLERABLE THAT THESE RESOLUTIONS REMAIN UNFULFILLED WHEN ISSUES RELATED TO THE MERE EXISTENCE OF THE HUMAN BEING ON THE PLANET ARE INVOLVED.
THE EXISTENCE OF ARSENALS WITH BACTERIOLOGIC, CHEMICAL AND OTHER SIMILAR WEAPONS THAT CAN BE SPREAD IN A FORMAL OR TERRORIST WAR IS A QUESTION THAT AFFECTS ALL MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.

MY COUNTRY, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HAS CONSISTENTLY CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ TO ACCEPT IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT CONDITIONS THE UNITED NATIONS' INSPECTORS. THESE INSPECTORS REPRESENT ALL OF US INSPECTING ONE OF US.

THERE ARE NO REASONS TO REFUSE THE INSPECTIONS IF THERE IS NOTHING TO CONCEAL.

THEREFORE, ARGENTINA WELCOMES THE ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL THAT IRAQ FINALLY AGREED TO LET THE INSPECTORS IN WITHOUT CONDITIONS. WE HOPE THAT IRAQ FULFILLS ITS PROMISE IN GOOD FAITH.

MR. PRESIDENT,

THE MAIN CONCERN IN THE UNITED NATIONS FOR PEACEKEEPING AND TO MAINTAIN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS, EVEN THOUGH SOME SITUATIONS OF EXTREME SEVERITY AND A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT STILL EXIST AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED.

THE PROMISING EVENTS RELATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEPAD THAT WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY, CONTRAST WITH THE WORSENING SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS WITH PAIN AND GREAT CONCERN THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN THAT REGION. WE ARE CONVINCED THAT NO POSSIBLE SOLUTION SHALL RESULT FROM THE INDISCRIMINATE AND BRUTAL USE OF FORCE, BY PLANNED MURDERS OR BY TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS. THE ONLY ROAD TO PEACE AND STABILITY IS THROUGH A DIALOGUE BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS. THEREFORE WE REITERATE OUR POSITION IN SUPPORT OF THE REINITIATION OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITH THE HOPE OF COMING TO A PEACEFUL, FAIR AND FINAL SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT, THAT SHOULD INCLUDE THE RECOGNITION OF THE UNDENIABLE RIGHT THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE HAVE TO FREE DETERMINATION AND TO FORM AN INDEPENDENT STATE AS WELL AS THE LEGITIMATE RIGHT ISRAEL HAS TO LIVE IN A LAND SURROUNDED BY SECURE AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BORDERS. AT PRESENT SEVERAL PLANS FOR PEACE HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND, TOGETHER WITH THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE "QUARTET", THESE INITIATIVES DESERVE OUR URGENT ATTENTION.

MR. PRESIDENT,

AT THIS TIME I WISH TO RATIFY THAT, AS A PART OF THE VOCATION FOR PEACE OF ARGENTINA AND OF ITS DESIRE TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION TO THE SERIOUS EXISTING CONFLICTS, OUR COUNTRY SHALL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ARMED FORCES AND POLICE PERSONNEL AS WELL AS CIVILIANS FOR THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE UNITED NATIONS' SECURITY COUNCIL.

WE STRESS AGAIN THE PERMANENT COMMITMENT OF ARGENTINE DEMOCRACY TO THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND UNITED NATIONS' ACTIVITIES IN THAT AREA. WE WANT TO MENTION OUR SATISFACTION AT THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE STATUTE OF ROME, ARGENTINA BEING A FOUNDING PARTY.

MR. PRESIDENT,

ARGENTINA IS TODAY LEAVING BEHIND AN EXCEPTIONALLY DEEP CRISIS.

AS TO OPENING THE COUNTRY TO THE WORLD, OUR COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE TO TRAVEL THE PATH TO BE FOLLOWED TO BECOME A PART OF THE CONCERT OF NATIONS THAT EXCHANGE GOODS AND SERVICES, AS IT HAS DONE UNINTERRUPTEDLY FOR THE LAST TWELVE YEARS. THEREFORE WE WILL CONTINUE PARTICIPATING ACTIVELY IN MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) AND WE WILL IMPLEMENT NEW TRADE POLICIES THAT, AS PART OF A GLOBAL STATE POLICY, WILL BE AIMED AT GIVING THE ARGENTINE ECONOMY A CLEARLY EXPORT PROFILE. IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE GENERATION OF GENUINE FOREIGN EARNINGS, RESULTING FROM TRADE EXCHANGE, THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHILE MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO REPAY OUR DEBTS.

THE CONSOLIDATION OF THIS MODEL DEMANDS ACCESS FOR ARGENTINE PRODUCTS TO THE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED MARKETS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.

PRECISELY THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING ACCESS TO MARKETS IN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES WAS, DURING THE CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT HELD IN MONTERREY, THE OBJECT OF A CONSENSUS SINCE THIS UNDERTAKING WAS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL TO ERADICATE POVERTY AND TO START ON THE ROAD TO LEAVE UNDERDEVELOPMENT BEHIND.

TO BRING PROSPERITY TO OUR PEOPLE IT IS NECESSARY TO SEE THESE INITIATIVES ENACTED AND NOT ONLY BE CONSIDERED PROPOSALS. IT IS FINALLY NECESSARY FOR FACTS TO ADAPT, ONCE AND FOR ALL, TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE VOICED AND THE COMMITMENTS THAT ARE MADE. IT IS OFWFOREMOST IMPORTANCE THAT TARIFFS TO BE PAID BY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS BE REDUCED AND, SIMULTANEOUSLY, PROTECTION MECHANISMS AND SUBSIDIES SHOULD BE ELIMINATED. THESE MECHANISMS FOR THE YEAR 2000 IN OECD COUNTRIES ROSE TO THE STAGGERING FIGURE OF 325 BILLION DOLLARS. OF THESE 80% CAME FROM THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THEN THAT THE GUIDELINES TOWARDS FREE TRADE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS BECOME A REALITY: THIS WILL ALLOW THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO STOP ASKING FOR CIRCUMSTANTIAL AID, LEADING TO A VICIOUS CIRCLE. AS A RESULT THEY ONLY INCREASE THEIR ALREADY HEAVY AND UNBEARABLE DEBT. THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SUSTAIN GROWTH SELLING THEIR PRODUCTS. IN OTHER WORDS WE CHOOSE TRADE AND NOT AID.

MR. PRESIDENT,

THE GRAVE SITUATION THROUGH WHICH ARGENTINA IS UNDERGOING HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FULFILL OUR OBLIGATIONS WITH THIS ORGANIZATION. THIS DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH HAS ISSUED A RECOMMENDATION AND WE EXPECT THAT IT WILL BE ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE COUNTRIES THAT ARE FRIENDS OF ARGENTINA.

MR. PRESIDENT,

IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF ACUTE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CRISIS, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC HAS REAFFIRMED ITS FIRM COMMITMENT IN THE NATIONAL AREA AND IN INTERNATIONAL FORA WITH THE PRINCIPLES AND THE PROGRAMMATIC BASIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR CHILDREN. THIS INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT, INCORPORATED TO OUR NATIONAL CONSTITUTION, IS INCLUDED IN THE VALUES AND LEGAL REGULATIONS THAT IDENTIFY THE ARGENTINE NATION.

MY COUNTRY HAS OPENLY RECOGNIZED THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN, AS FROM THE TIME OF CONCEPTION, AND STRESSES THE TRANSCENDENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY IN DEVELOPMENT. ALONG THESE LINES WE ONCE AGAIN INSIST ON THE RIGHT OF THOSE CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN SUBTRACTED BY ONE OF THEIR PARENTS. IN PARTICULAR, WE REFER TO THE PAINFUL SITUATION OF KARIM, ZAHIRA AND SHARIF, THE CHILDREN OF MRS. GABRIELA ARIAS URIBURU. UNFORTUNATELY, IN SPITE OF THE HUGE EFFORTS MADE BY THE FAMILY AND ARGENTINE OFFICIALS, NO ANSWER HAS BEEN GIVEN TO OUR REQUEST FOR MECHANISMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED THAT WILL MAKE A STABLE AND PERMANENT RELATIONSHIP OF THESE CHILDREN WITH THEIR MOTHER POSSIBLE. THIS POSITION HAS RECEIVED THE CLEAR SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENTAL EXPERTS CALLED UPON BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE OAS, THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES, IN MONTEVIDEO (URUGUAY).

MR. PRESIDENT,

ARGENTINA CONSIDERS THAT THE OUTCOMES OF THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RECENTLY HELD IN JOHANNESBURG, CONSTITUTE ONLY A FEASIBLE AGREEMENT, UPON WHICH IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC ACTIONS WITHIN THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STATEMENTS WERE MADE BY A GROUP OF CHILDREN DURING THE MENTIONED SUMMIT "WE ASK OURSELVES WHETHER SNOW WILL FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER ONE DAY" OR "MORE THAN WORDS OR APPLAUSE WE NEED ACTIONS". UNFORTUNATELY LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN CONCRETE STEPS TO STOP THE CONTINUUM OF ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHES.

MR. PRESIDENT,

AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY KNOWS WELL THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC HAS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM A SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE OVER THE MALVINAS, SOUTH GEORGIA AND SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS AND THE SURROUNDING MARITIME AREAS. THE RECOVERY OF FULL SOVEREIGNTY ON THAT PART OF OUR NATIONAL TERRITORY, WHILE RESPECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE INHABITANTS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW, IS A PRECEPT INCLUDED IN THE ARGENTINE CONSTITUTION. THIS ISSUE WAS INCLUDED IN THE WORK PROGRAM OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND, THROUGH SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT OF ARGENTINA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE BEEN ASKED TO START NEGOTIATIONS AGAIN IN ORDER TO FIND A JUST AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE, THUS ENDING A COLONIAL SITUATION IMPOSED BY THE USE OF FORCE IN 1833.

TODAY, AND IN LINE WITH THIS REQUEST, ARGENTINA RATIFIES ONCE AGAIN ITS POSITIVE DISPOSITION TO RESUME BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS QUESTION, AND ITS SUPPORT TO THE GOOD OFFICES MISSION THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENTRUSTED THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO ASSIST THE PARTIES TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL.

MR. PRESIDENT,

SOME THREE DECADES AGO, IN THIS SAME VENUE, POPE PAUL VI SAID, FROM THIS SAME PODIUM, THAT "DEVELOPMENT IS THE NEW NAME FOR PEACE". THIS BRIEF AND WISE SENTENCE IS FULLY APPLICABLE TODAY AND POINTS OUT THE PATH WE SHOULD FOLLOW. ALL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUCCESSES OR FAILURES RESULTING FROM THEIR ACTIONS. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD TO FIND THE WAY OUT WITHOUT A REAL INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, REFLECTING IN PRACTICAL TERMS THE PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE BEEN PROCLAIMED, SPECIALLY THE RESPECT OF FREE TRADE. THE TIME HAS COME TO FACE THIS CHALLENGE, LEAVING BEHIND THE DISTURBANCES OF THE PRESENT DAY, AND BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE A FUTURE OF PEACE, STABILITY AND PROGRESS.

THANK YOU.