Inclusive Multilateralism, Fully Democratic United Nations Needed to Combat Poverty, Terrorism, Other Threats, Speakers Tell Assembly General Debate

To effectively tackle terrorism, entrenched poverty and the threat of weapons proliferation, a more equitable multilateral system that valued diversity and fostered a “climate of dialogue” was urgently needed, world leaders attending the General Assembly’s annual debate stressed today, as they pushed for a more democratic United Nations.

In a day that heard many delegations describe how they were grappling with exactly how to create a more balanced world order, the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, said his Government, following the spirit of yu-ai, or fraternity, would make utmost efforts to be a bridge between the Orient and the Occident, developed and developing countries, and between diverse civilizations.

Discussing how Japan would carry out that task, he said that as nations further liberalized trade and investment, international coordination would be needed to forge systems that reined in poverty and economic disparity, a difficult task if left only to market mechanisms. Japan would play a bridging role in international forms, including the Group of 20 (G-20), in formulating common rules to that end.

On the issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, Japan could both promote disarmament and help bridge differences between nuclear- and non-nuclear weapon States. To ensure success at next year’s Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference, he urged taking action now towards the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and early start of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty.

For Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, creating an inclusive global order required new leadership so countries would stop perceiving the world as a threat, and start seeing it as a place of solidarity. Everyone -- regardless of creed or colour -- was obliged to build a world of peace, justice and prosperity.

He said Turkey continued to be a force for peace and stability in its restive region. Over the past seven years, it had made efforts to resolve its differences with neighbouring countries and to improve bilateral relations.

Regarding the specific situation in Cyprus, he supported a comprehensive solution, citing the United Nations as the foundation upon which a solution could be built and the world body’s Secretary-General as a “bridge” between the two sides’ differences. Noting that a mutual solution should be reached by the end of 2009, he said a fair, lasting solution would help transform the Mediterranean zone into a peaceful and cooperative place.

Picking up that strand, Dimitris Christofias, President of Cyprus, recalled that one year ago, his country had embarked on intensive negotiations with the Turkish-Cypriot Leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, in a common effort to end the division of the island. While there had been progress, the two sides did not appear close to a final solution to the Cyprus question.

Nonetheless, Turkey had become a key player in finding a solution, and that solutions relied on its political will and policies. He urged Turkey to contribute towards creating a dual federation, in line with Security Council resolutions, and to resume normal relations with Cyprus. Cyprus had never sought hostile relations with Turkey but it had to protect its sovereignty. It was prepared to resume talks with the Turkish Government and and with the Turkish-Cypriot leader.

Pointing towards opportunity, Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, said history was replete with examples of how nations, immersed in crises, had changed underlying assumptions about themselves and created new tools to solve problems. While such innovations would vary, the challenges were the same: creating a shared vision, increasing trust among peoples and adopting a moral purpose to achieve such goals.

Today, the world had an exceptional opportunity to address environmental challenges, improve economies and reform multilateral institutions -- at the same time. The G-20, for example, was now playing a crucial role in restoring global economic stability.

But should its base not be broadened further, to include nations that were most vulnerable to the decisions of the few? He urged thinking differently about issues, especially on providing better support to regional actors and engaging the majority of the world in truly global decision-making.

“We work with each other or we suffer in isolation”, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, calling on all nations to adapt to the reality of common responsibility for sustainable development. United Nations peacekeeping operations were core to nation-building.

Although Lithuania was a small nation, it was fully committed to regional and global responsibility, and would make use of core United Nations principles of dialogue, respect and tolerance, she explained.

With that in mind, Lithuania was the current President of both the Council of the Baltic States and the Community of Democracies.

Indeed, democracy was inseparable from peace, the rule of law, respect for human rights and overall prosperity. “The global interest is our national interest and the global responsibility is our national responsibility”, she added.

Pressing world leaders to put that spirit into practice, especially times of heightened insecurity, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the main threat to all nations was the marriage between fundamentalism and weapons of mass destruction. Indeed, the greatest challenge was that of preventing Iran from procuring nuclear weapons. “Are the members of the United Nations up to that challenge?” he asked.

Affirming Israel’s desire for a permanent, genuine and defensible peace, he reminded the General Assembly that anytime an Arab leader reached out to make peace, Israel had met with them, as was the case with Egypt and Jordan. He also recalled that when a two-State solution had been voted on in 1947, the Jews accepted the resolution; the Arabs rejected it. What Israel had wanted for 62 years was for the Palestinians to say “yes” to a Jewish State, and in return, Israel would recognize the State of the Palestinian people. “It is as simple, clear and elementary as that.”

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