unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/16/89)
UN HIGHLIGHTS
Posting Date: 09/14/89 Source: UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ, USA
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR STRENGTHENING OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR
UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING OPERATIONS; ALSO RENEWS APPEAL TO
UN MEMBER COUNTRIES TO PAY THEIR ASSESSED CONTRIBUTIONS "ON TIME
AND IN FULL"
In his annual report to the General Assembly, available today,
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar said the United Nations
was "at the forefront of international efforts in a variety of
areas" at a time when it continued to be short of funds. He
noted the role of the Organization in peace-keeping, with four
new operations recently established and at least three more
being actively considered.
In the course of his 28-page report, which reviewed United
Nations activity in many regions of the world and in relation to
a wide range of international problems during the past year, the
Secretary-General said peace-keeping had traditionally been
"operated on a shoe-string". With several new ventures pending,
he suggested that member-countries should consider earmarking
standby troops for United Nations service, and that the training
of national armies should take account of possible peace-keeping
duties.
Mr. Perez de Cuellar spoke of long-standing financial problems
with peace-keeping operations, putting an unfair burden on those
countries contributing troops. Yet, he said, the expense of
peace-keeping was minimal, compared with the human, financial
and military costs of the alternative.
The Secretary-General suggested the possible establishment of a
special reserve fund for peace-keeping, to be supported by all
member-countries of the United Nations. Such a fund, he said,
would "vastly facilitate" the timely launching of operations
mandated by the Security Council.
The report noted that, at the end of last month, contributions
still owed to the regular budget of the United Nations were more
than $688 million, with a further $661 million outstanding for
peace-keeping operations. Only with a secure financial
foundation, he said, could the Secretariat respond to requests
for assistance with the speed and resources needed for specific
situations. It was high time, said the Secretary-General, that
the United Nations was able to leave its financial worries
behind. Governments must ensure the regular and timely payment
of their dues.
In a review of global affairs, Mr. Perez de Cuellar spoke of the
ongoing independence process in Namibia, likely United Nations
involvements in Central America, Western Sahara and South East
Asia, and continuing efforts to implement the Security Council's
resolution to resolve the Iran-Iraq conflict and for a
settlement of the Cyprus dispute and in relation to Afghanistan.
He called for measures in South Africa towards the eradication
of apartheid (notably the freeing of political prisoners and the
start of a national dialogue with representatives of the
majority of the population) and said the international community
had a responsibility to ensure the restoration of Lebanon's
unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
In a review of disarmament initiatives, he welcomed the improved
relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, and
called for concerted efforts to achieve a complete ban on
chemical weapons. He spoke of efforts, within the United
Nations context, against international terrorism and for the
promotion of human rights, and on world economic affairs said he
was still deeply concerned about the growing economic and
technological gap between the world's developed and developing
nations. On visits to many developing countries in the past
year, he said, he had been impressed by the efforts they were
making, often against formidable odds, for the welfare of their
peoples. The external economic environment aggravated their
problems.
On social issues, the Secretary-General spoke of the
"immeasurable misery caused by drug addiction", noted the
"appalling situation" (in Colombia) where drug dealers were in
open conflict with the Government, and called for early and full
implementation of the United Nations Convention against illicit
trafficking.
The Secretary-General's report noted current world-wide
preoccupation with the state of the environment, with "daily
signs of an ailing and exhausted Earth" and evoking universal
concern, and reviewed various international initiatives under
way in response. He said the current rate of increase in the
world's population had "disturbing implications" in terms of
sustainable development and economic progress.
In conclusion, the Secretary-General said there had been a
"noticeable improvement" in public perceptions of the United
Nations. The decision-making
process on political matters had vastly improved with the
emergence of a "collegial spint" among permanent members of the
Security Council. Obstacles to stable peace and balanced
progress were many, and the world's political, intellectual and
moral imagination would have to be fully employed in overcoming
them. The United Nations stood ready, he said, as the
instrument for that effort.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
---
Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information
patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange
-=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-