United Nations so

 

?3 General Assembly 
5; Security Council 16 1111162000

Original: English

 

General Assembly Security Council
Fifty?fourth session Fifty??fth year
Agenda items 3,10,11,12,13,18, 20, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38,

43, 44, 46, 49, 50, 53, 56, 57, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,

71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,

88, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103,

105,106, 107,108,109,110, 111, 112,113,114,115, 116,
117,118,122,125,151,158 and 160

Credentials of representatives to the ?fty-fourth session
of the General Assembly

Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the
Organization

Report of the Security Council
Report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the International Court of Justice

Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and
disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including
special economic assistance

Cooperation between the United Nations and the
Organization of African Unity

Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and
?nancial embargo imposed by the United States of
America against Cuba

Dialogue among civilizations
Bethlehem 2000

Question of equitable representation on and increase in
the membership of the Security Council and related
matters

The situation in the Middle East

Question of Palestine
00-52426 (E) 170800
II II II II II II 

 


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Causes of con?ict and the promotion of durable peace
and sustainable development in Africa

United Nations reform: measures and proposals

The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for
international peace and security

Report of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution
of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of
International Humanitarian Law Committed in the
Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991

Consequences of the Iraqi occupation of and aggression
against Kuwait

Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations
Question of Cyprus
Reduction of military budgets

Prohibition of the development and manufacture of new
types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of
such weapons: report of the Conference on Disarmament

Question of Antarctica

Compliance with arms limitation and disarmament and
non-proliferation agreements

Veri?cation in all its aspects, including the role of the
United Nations in the ?eld of veri?cation

Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean
as a Zone of Peace

African Nuclear-Weapon-Free?Zone Treaty

Developments in the ?eld of information and
telecommunications in the context of international
security

Role of science and technology in the context of
international security and disarmament

Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the
region of the Middle East

Conclusion of effective international arrangements to
assure non-nuclear?weapon States against the use or
threat of use of nuclear weapons

Prevention of an arms race in outer space
General and complete disarmament

Review and implementation of the Concluding Document
of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly

 

 

 

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Review of the implementation of the recommendations
and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its
tenth special session

The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East

Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of
Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed
to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate
Effects

Strengthening of security and cooperation in the
Mediterranean region

Consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for
the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America
and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlateloleo)

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their
Destruction

Review of the implementation of the Declaration on the
Strengthening of International Security

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test?Ban Treaty
Effects of atomic radiation

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli
Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian
People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories

Comprehensive review of the whole question of
peacekeeping operations in all their aspects

Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories
transmitted under Article ?73 of the Charter of the
United Nations

Economic and other activities which affect the interests
of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories

Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the
specialized agencies and the international institutions
associated with the United Nations

Offers by Member States of study and training facilities
for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories

Macroeconomic policy questions

Sectoral policy questions

 


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Sustainable development and international economic
cooperation

Environment and sustainable development
Operational activities for develoPment
Training and research

Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the
occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and
of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan
over their natural resources

Implementation of the ?rst United Nations Decade for
the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006)

Social development, including questions relating to the
world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled
persons and the family

Crime prevention and criminal justice
International drug control
Advancement of women

Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World
Conference on Women

Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and
displaced persons and humanitarian questions

Promotion and protection of the rights of children

Programme of activities of the International Decade of
the World?s Indigenous People

Elimination of racism and racial discrimination
Right of peoples to self-determination
Human rights questions

Financial reports and audited ?nancial statements, and
reports of the Board of Auditors

Review of the ef?ciency of the administrative and
?nancial functioning of the United Nations

Improving the financial situation of the United Nations

Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the
expenses of the United Nations

Administrative and budgetary aspects of the ?nancing of
the United Nations peacekeeping operations

Establishment of the International Criminal Court

Measures to eliminate international terrorism

 

 

 

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Letter dated 6 June 2000 from the Permanent Representative
of South Africa to the United Nations addressed to the
Secretary?General

I have the honour, in my capacity as Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of
the Non-Aligned Movement, to enclose herewith the final document of the
Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, held
at Cartagena, Colombia, on 8 and 9 April 2000 (see annex).*

I should be grateful if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a
document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 31,
33, 34, 36, 38, 43, 44, 46, 49, 50, 53, 56, 57, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,
73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97,
98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,
116, 117, 118, 122, 125, 151, 158 and 160, and ofthe Security Council.

(Signed) Dumisani S. Kumalo
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative

The annex is being circulated in the languages of submission only.

 

 

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Annex to the letter dated 6 June 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of South Africa to the United Nations addressed to
the Secretary-General

[Original: English, French and Spanish]

Final document of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the
Movement of Non-Aligned Countries



1. We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, met in
Cartagena, Colombia from 8 to 9 April 2000, to review the developments and implementation
of decisions of the Durban Summit, to make preparations for the next Summit, and to discuss
matters of urgency.

2. We express our warm appreciation for the Report of the Chairman on the activities of the
Movement since the XII Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government held in Durban in
August and September 1998, which contributed to the strengthening and the promotion of the
unity and solidarity among the members of the Movement.

3. We welcome the Dominican Republic as a Member of the Movement as endorsed at the
meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation at the 54 Session of the UN
General Assembly held in New York, 23 September 1999.

CHAPTER I GLOBAL 
The international context since the Durban Summit

4. The evolution of the international situation since the Durban Summit indicates that there
are many opportunities, challenges and problems facing the Movement at the beginning of
the new century. We recall the position of our Heads of State or Government expressed at
Durban on the review of the international situation.

5. We emphasise that even when the spectre of a nuclear holocaust seems more remote
than in the recent past and several countries resolved to redUce' their military budgets in order
to devote such resources to meet the social and economic development requirements of their
people, great powers continue to endanger the future of humankind through the unjusti?ed 
stockpiling and development of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and

a rampant traf?c in armaments continues to put in jeopardy the security and stability of vast
regions of the world.

6. The world today is still far from being a peaceful, just and secure place. Simmering
disputes, violent con?icts, aggression and foreign occupation, interference in the internal
affairs of States, policies of hegemony and domination, ethnic strife, religious intolerance,
xenOphobia, new forms of racism and narrowly conceived nationalism are, inter alia, major
and dangerous obstacles to harmonious coexistence among States and peoples and have
even led to the disintegration of States and societies.

7. Cold War era legacies such as foreign occupation, foreign military bases, the use or threat
of use of force, pressure, interference in internal affairs and sanctions inconsistent with
international law, still constitute a main disturbing factor to establishing fair and equitable
international relations conforming with the strong desire of the overwhelming majority of 1

 

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governments and peoples and we emphasise the need to continue to consolidate our efforts
for the removal of such legacies.

8. The global economy continues to be characterised by rapid growth in flows of trade,
?nance, information and technology, which has led to increased interdependence among
countries. Countries interact with the global economy from vastly different levels of
development and, hence, the impact of globalisation and liberalisation has been highly
uneven. While the current trend was expected to lead to increasing economic opportunity for
some developing economies, it is evident that a large number of Member Countries of the
Non-Aligned Movement, particularly in Africa, continue to be marginalised and are thus made
unable to share the bene?ts, if any, of these processes. Most developing countries continue
to confront problems of access to markets, capital and technology, and many grapple with the
institutional transformation necessary for meaningful integration into the world economy.

9. We underline the fact that the gap between the developed and developing countries,
specially the LDCs, continues to widen, and we reiterate that the problems deriving from
poverty and social injustices, far from being overcome, have been signi?cantly aggravated.
We note further that economic underdevelopment, poverty and social injustice constitute a
source of frustration and a cause of new con?icts, and that stability, security, democracy and
peace cannot be consolidated without rectifying the growing international inequalities.

10. We reaf?rm that all nations have the inalienable right to freely establish their own political
and economic systems and take measures to safeguard their security on the basis of the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for the
principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, self-detennination and non-interference
in the internal affairs of others.

11. We wish to reiterate, however, that it is of paramount importance that the new
opportunities, challenges and problems be addressed by following strictly the United Nations
Charter. in this context, we wish to reaf?rm the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement as
well as the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. We also want to reiterate
our firm condemnation of all unilateral military actions including those made without proper
authorisation from the United Nations Security Council or threats of military action against the
sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the members of the Movement which
constitute acts of aggression and blatant violations of the principle of non-intervention and
non-interference.

12. We welcome the decision of the OAU Summit in Algiers in July 1999 calling for the
restoration, before the next OAU Summit, of constitutional legality in States whose
governments had come to power through unconstitutional means. We strongly recommend
that this issue be considered by the Movement at the next Summit.

The Role of the Non-Aligned Movement

13. We emphasise the fact that in order for the Movement to enhance its role at the
international level, it must continue to work on expanding and reinforcing its ability and
capacity for initiative, representation and negotiation, as well as its ethical, political and moral
strength as the principal forum representing the interests and aspirations of the developing
world. In this regard, we reaf?rm that full respect for the founding principles of the Movement
in Bandung (1955) and the principles set forth in the United Nations Charter are our
irrevocable political and moral commitment. The role of the Movement in the attainment of its

 

 

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objectives hinges upon the solidarity of its members, its unity and cohesion, founded on a
culture of peace, development and co-operation. All forms, of co-operation among NAM
Members shall be further encouraged and enhanced.

14. We reiterate the Non-Aligned Countries' commitment to respect scrupulously the principles
and objectives of non-alignment as well as its positions submitted in the UN on behalf of the
NAM, and express our determination to make every effort to further strengthen the Non-Aligned
Movement's capacity for action and to develop concrete modalities to enhance the in?uence and
impact of its decisions on world affairs, as adopted by our Heads of State or Government in the
Summit. We reiterate our ?rm condemnation of the aggression, racism, the use of force,
terrorism, foreign occupation, foreign military bases, and interference in internal affairs, unilateral
coercive measures, unfair economic practices and xenophobia. in this context, we reaf?rm our
commitment to take up the challenge to fundamentaily transform international relations in order
to achieve a world of peace, security, justice and dignity for all.

15. We reiterate the need to enhance the role of the Non-Aligned Movement in the light of
changes in the international situation, so that the Movement as spokesman for the interests
and aspirations of the Non-Aligned and other developing countries, will be able to respond
effectively and expeditiously to the challenges raised in the new millennium, on the basis of
common positions agreed by Members. The Movement has to achieve maximum utilisation of
all its mechanisms, the Co-ordinating Bureau, NAM Working Groups, Standing Committees,
Ad Hoc Committees, the convening of NAM meetings in relevant international fora and the
JCC. We also reaf?rm the ongoing task of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology.

16. We reiterate the need for the Movement to enhance its participation, unity and cohesion
and to co-ordinate the positions of members towards major international issues, with the view
to strengthen our negotiating leverage vis-a-vis developed countries.

17. In accordance with the decision of the Durban Summit, the Ministers adopted the Plan of
Action formulated on the basis of the decisions taken by Summit.

North-South Dialogue

18. We hope that this new millennium will bring the opportunity to conduct a North-South
dialogue based on the mutuality of interest and bene?ts, shared responsibilities and genuine
interdependence. We appreciate the tasks performed by the NAM Troika of Foreign Ministers to
enhance the role of the Movement and promote dialogue with the developed countries and we
encourage them to continue, particularly with the view to the next Summit of the G8 in Okinawa,
Japan, in July 2000. in this regard, we emphasise the importance of the participation of all
members of the Movement through the NAM Co-ordinating Bureau, in shaping the agenda of
these meetings as well as the timely reporting of the outcome of the meetings to the Co?
ordinating Bureau.

19. We are con?dent that discussions and decisions to be taken at the South Summit, to be
held from 10 to 14 April 2000 in Havana, Cuba, will constitute an important contribution to the
enhancement of North-South relations and to the development aims of the developing
countries.

20. We decide to take urgent steps to develop a proposal, including practical steps to devise a
precise economic agenda for the South, in consultation, inter alia, through the COB in New
York, and with Members of the Ad Hoc Panel of Economists and for its presentation to the
Standing Ministerial Committee on Economic Co?operation, which should be held soon.

 


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Dialogue among Civilisations

21. We recall the position at the Durban Summit with regard to the dialogue among
clvilisations, initiated by President Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran and
recommit ourselves to promoting this concept, through planning and the implementation of
appropriate cultural, educational and social programmes. We believe that the Dialogue among
Civilisations should be a durable process, and support the strengthening and institutionalising of
these processes at regional and intemationai levels. We welcome UNGA resolutions (53/22 
54/113) and call upon all Member States to co?operate with the personal representative of the
UN Secretary-General and to contribute to the special programmes in the year 2001 designated
by the General Assembly as the United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilisations, and to
arrange at the national level demonstrations during that year.

Strengthening, Restructuring, Revitalising and Democratising the United Nations

22. We uphold the NAM position on the vital role of the UN in the maintenance of international
peace and security and the strengthening of international co-operation, in line with the principles
of the UN Charter and the equal sovereignty of its Members. In this context, we recall the
decisions and directives of the Summit with respect to the various reform proposals
presented by the Secretary-General as outlined in his Report entitled "Renewing the United
Nations: A Program of Reform".

23. We underscore the need to preserve and promote the principles and purposes of the UN
Charter and General Assembly mandates together with the need to keep under close
intergovernmental oversight and review all proposals which are still to be implemented as
well as a continuous assessment of those which are being implemented.

24. Ultimately, the success of the reform of the UN can only be judged in terms of the real
improvements in its functioning and the positive impact it has on the lives of the peoples of
the developing countries. We stress that any further efforts regarding UN reforms should
focus on strengthening the role of the Organisation in promoting international co?operation for
development. In this regard, we welcome the establishment of the development account in
accordance with GA resolution 54/15 and underscore the constructive role of developing
countries during the negotiations. We, however, regret that the impact of UN reforms on the
development of developing countries is yet to be felt, with a continuous decline in the
resources made available to the UN for multilateral development co-operation.

25. We welcome all decisions which have been adopted and which are aimed at strengthening
and revitalising the role of the General Assembly, as the highest deliberative and decision-
making organ of the United Nations in which all Member States equally participate, especially
those related to the consideration by the General Assembly of the reports of other main organs,
in particular the report of the Security Council and the report of the Secretary-General on the
work of the Organisation. We emphasise the importance of ensuring that the role of the Security
Council conforms to its mandate as de?ned in the United Nations Charter, so that there is no
encroachment on the jurisdiction and the prerogatives of the General Assembly and its
subsidiary bodies.

26. We underscore the intergovernmental character of the General Assembly and its subsidiary
bodies. E?orts to strengthen the contribution of NGOs to the work of the UN and its bodies
should be undertaken through the consultative arrangements of ECOSOC.

 

 

 




 

27. Discussions in the Open-Ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable
Representation on and increase in the Membership of the Security Council, and other matters
related to the Security Council, have shown that while a convergence of views has emerged on
a number of issues, important differences still exist on many others. We call on our Permanent
Representatives in New York to continue, in the ensuing negotiations in the Open-Ended
Working Group, to pursue directives which were adopted during the Durban Summit, as outlined
in paragraphs 65 to 74 of the Final Document, and contained in the Movement?s position papers
adopted on 13 February 1995, 20 May 1996, the NAM negotiating paper dated 11 March 1997,
the decisions of the Cartagena Summit, the Twelfth Ministerial Conference in New Delhi, 7-8
April 1997, the Ministerial Meeting in New York, on 25 September 1997, the Meeting of the Co-
ordinating Bureau in Cartagena, 19-20 May 1998, and the Ministerial Meeting in New York on
September 1999. We welcome the adoption of UNGA resolution 53/30 and the Report of the
Open?Ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in
the Membership of the Security Council (N53147).

28. We reiterate our concern over the increasing occurrence of the term "preventive action" in
the absence of an agreed de?nition or understanding of this term, as well as inadequate
clari?cation of its implications on United Nations activities and resources. We urge that the
General Assembly develop guidelines for the UN on this matter.

29. We recall that the imposition of sanctions is an issue of serious concern for Non-Aligned
Countries. We reaf?nn that the imposition of sanctions in accordance with the Charter should be
considered only after all means of peaceful settlement of disputes under Chapter of the
Charter have been exhausted and a thorough consideration undertaken of the short and long-
term effects of such sanctions. Sanctions are a blunt instrument, the use of which raises
fundamental ethical questions of whether sufferings in?icted on vulnerable groups in the target
country are legitimate means of exerting pressure. The objectives of sanctions are not to punish
or othenrvise exact retribution.

30. We reiterate that the objectives of sanctions regimes should be clearly de?ned. Sanctions
should be lifted as soon as the objectives are achieved. They should be imposed for?a
speci?ed time-frame and be based on tenable legal grounds. The conditions demanded of
the country or party on which sanctions are imposed should be clearly de?ned and subject to
periodic review. Attempts to impose or to prolong the application of sanctions to achieve
political ends should be rejected.

The Miliennium Summit

31. We pledge our ?rm support to the ?fty-?fth session of the General Assembly in the year 2000
convened as "The Millennium Assembly of the United Nations", with a Millennium Summit of the
United Nations as an integral part thereof. The Non-Aligned Countries will actively avail
themselves of the opportunity presented by the Summit to articulate their vision of prospects and
challenges for the new millennium, and concrete actions required by the international community
to effectively address them. We stress that the Millennium Summit and its preparatory process
must provide for effective participation by all Member States, especially the members of the
Non-Aligned Movement, through a transparent intergovernmental process of deliberations and
negotiations, to ensure full ownership of its outcome.

32. We endorse the proposal by the Joint Co-ordinating Committee of the NAM and the G-77
that the overarching theme for the Millennium Summit should be "Role of the United Nations in
the 21st Century", and that within this overarching theme, there should be two sub-topics: 
Peace, Security and Disarmament, and (ii) Development and Poverty Eradication. .

 

 

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Financial Situation of the United Nations

33. We express our concern over the deteriorating ?nancial situation of the Organisation and
reiterate that the primary cause of the ?nancial crisis continues to be the failure on the part of
certain developed countries to discharge fully, without conditions and on time, their assessed
contribution to the Regular Budget and to peace-keeping operations. We urge all countries in
arrears to settle their outstanding dues without further delay and to pay their future assessments
in full, on time and without imposing preconditions.

34. We re-emphasise our concern at the continued cross borrowing from the peace?keeping
budgets to the regular budget, which also contribute to the delay in reimbursement to the troop
and countries, particularly to the Non-Aligned and
developing countries. All Member States are strongly urged to ful?l their obligations under the
Charter to bring an end to this extraordinary practice. We reiterate our concern over the delay in
reimbursement and underscore the need for early reimbursement to troop and COE providing
countries.

35. The principle of capacity to pay as a fundamental criterion in the apportionment of the
expenses of the Organisation is important and should be maintained. The scale of assessments
for the pen'od 2001?2003 must take into consideration the economic conditions of the developing
countries. Any unilateral attempt to modify the scale of assessments through conditionalities,
which are contrary to the United Nations Charter, is unacceptable. Any significant modi?cation of
the scale would be considered only if it spreads the burden of payment, in accordance with the
principle of capacity to pay, more broadly among the major contributors without adversely
affecting NAM and other developing countries.

36. The principles and guidelines for the apportionment of the expenses of peace?keeping
operations approved by the General Assembly in its resolutions 1874 of 27 June 1963
and 3101 of 11 December 1973 must be adopted on a permanent basis. in this regard,
account must also be taken of the special responsibility of the ?ve Permanent Members of the
Security Council in the financing of such operations. Furthermore, we reiterate the position
adopted at the XII Summit in which it is stressed that member countries of the NAM and other
developing countries shall be classi?ed in a category that is no higher than group C.

37. Recalling the proposals by the Secretary-General for procurement reform as outlined in
N52534, we emphasise the critical importance of timely, ef?cient, transparent and cost-effective
procurement of goods and services in support of peace-keeping operations. We express our
grave concern at the negligible share of Non-Aligned and other developing countries in UN
procurement. in this regard, we reiterate the need to ensure greater UN procurement from
developing countries, especially Non?Aligned Countries in particular through the implementation
or the provision of preferential treatment.

38. We further underline that the United Nations Suppliers Roster should be representative of
the membership of the Organisation. in awarding procurement contracts, preference should be
given to Member States that have ful?lled their ?nancial obligations to the United Nations.

39. We reiterate that international civil servants in accordance with Articles 100 and 101 of the
UN Charter should carry out all the mandated programs and activities of the United Nations. The
Gratis Personnel should be completely phased out in accordance with relevant General
Assembly resolutions.

 

 

 


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United Nations Peace-Keeping Operations

40. We reaf?rm the guiding principles regarding peace-keeping operations contained in the
Final Document adopted by the XI Ministerial Conference in Cairo on 3 June 1994 and
reiterate the Movement's positions on peace-keeping adopted by the XII Summit of Heads of
State or Government held in Durban on 29 August to 3 September 1998.

41. We reiterate our view that peace-keeping operations should not be used as a substitute
for addressing the root causes of con?ict. Those causes should be addressed in a coherent,
well?planned, co-ordinated and comprehensive manner with political, social and
developmental instruments. Consideration should be given to ways in which those efforts can
continue without interruption after the departure of peace-keeping operations so as to ensure
a smooth transition to lasting peace and security.

42 We reiterate that the maintenance of international peace and security is a primary
responsibility of the United Nations and that the role of regional arrangements in that regard
should be in accordance with Chapter of the United Nations Charter, and should not in
any way substitute the role of the United Nations, or circumvent the full application of the
guiding principles of United Nations peace-keeping. In this regard, we stress the need to
avoid selectivity and double standards in establishing United Nations peace-keeping
operations in Africa. Further, when constituting UN peace?keeping operations for any region
of the world, we urge the Secretary-General of the United Nations to seek as broad a
geographical representation as possible, consistent with the universal character of the
Organisation

4,3. We reaf?rm that the funding of the United Nations peace-keeping operations through
voluntary contributions should not influence UN Security Council decisions to establish
peace-keeping Operations or affect their mandate. We stress the need for regular and
institutionalised consultations between troop contributing countries and the Security Council.
We also stress the need to differentiate between peace-keeping operations and humanitarian
assistance.

44. We stress that the Security Council should ascertain the views of prospective troop
contributing countries before and while drafting mandates for UN peace-keeping operations,
since these countries are primarily responsible for ensuring the implementation of the
Council?s mandate on the ground. We also stress that, while authorising force, the Security
Council should adhere to the provisions of Articles 43 and 44 of the Charter of the United
Nations.

- 45. We emphasise that the planning process within the Department of Peace-keeping
Operations must be more transparent and effective and that troop contributing countries
should be consulted at the earliest stages of mission planning. We reiterate our concern over
the staf?ng structure of the Department of Peace-keeping Operations of the UN Secretariat
whereby NAM Member Countries are insuf?ciently represented, particularly at professional
levels. We stress that, on the basis of equitable geographical representation, personnel from
Non-Aligned Movement Member Countries should be suf?ciently represented.

46. The UN Special Committee on Peace- -keeping Operations remains the competent forum
with the mandate to comprehensively review the whole question of peace- keeping operations
in all their aspects. We stress the importance of consistently applying the principles and .
standards that the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations has set forth for the



 

 

 


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establishment and conduct of peace-keeping operations and also emphasise the need to
continue to consider de?nitions in a systematic fashion including proposals or conditions
concerning peace-keeping operations.

47. We note the announcement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on March 7,
2000, that he has commissioned a major new study on Peace Operations? and has
constituted a panel of experts for this. Whiieexpressing our concern about the use of the
unde?ned term Peace Operations?, we urge that, in view of the importance of the
initiative taken by the Secretary-General, and its potential impact on the future of UN peace-
keeping operations, the study should be reviewed by the competent bodies of the General
Assembly, including the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations, before submission
to the Millennium Summit.

48. Having already addressed the report on the Fall of Srebrenica in plenary we urge the
President of the General Assembly to do likewise on the Report of the independent Inquiry
into Actions of the United Nations during the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda in this current
session of the General Assembly.

49. We reiterate our view that efforts aimed at enhancing the capacity of African countries in
the various aspects of peace-keeping are complementary to the obligations of all United
Nations Member States under the Charter of the United Nations with regard to their
contribution in maintaining peace and security in Africa, and are not intended to replace or
reduce engagement of non?African countries in peace-keeping operations in the continent.

50. We recognise the concerns of Member States regarding medical aspects of peace?
keeping operations including the high risk of the transmission and contraction of 
and other communicable diseases facing peace-keepers and other personnel in the ?eld. We
welcome the ongoing efforts of the DPKO Training Unit, including during pre?deployment
orientation, to raise awareness of these diseases and request the DPKO to incorporate
language into the "Guidelines for Military and Civpoi Participation in Peace-keeping
Operations? Manuals, to further raise the peace-keepers' awareness of these diseases.

51. We note the increasing demands for deployment in large number of civilian police
personnel in United Nations peace-keeping operations and stress the importance of
developing, by the UN Secretariat, at an early date, agreed guidelines on the principles
governing the role of civilian police personnel in United Nations peace-keeping operations.

52. We express concern at the recent assertion in the report of the Secretary?General
(8/2000/194 dated 8 March 2000) that the Multinational Standby Force High Readiness
Brigade would be available at high readiness for peace-keeping operations
where rapid response is important, including the humanitarian tasks mandated by the
Security Council under Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations. in this regard, we
reiterate that the name of the United Nations should not be used arbitrarily by individual
States or groups in their activities without a relevant UN resolution, since the United Nations
is the world's most universal international organisation.

 

 

 


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Agenda for Peace

53. We reaf?rrn that, without any prejudice to the competence of the other principal organs of
the United Nations? respective roles in post-con?ict peace-building (PCPB) activities, the
General Assembly must have the key role in the formulation of PCPB activities. In this regard,
we also recognise the importance of the concerted actions of international agencies to
support actively the national programs particularly of NAM Countries, which are in the
process of recovery from recent con?icts, for reconstruction and rehabilitation, including the
promotion of a culture of peace, which paves the way for the achievement of economic and
social development.

54. We note that the UN Department of Peace-keeping Operations has concluded a
Memorandum cf Understanding with the Of?ce of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
to enhance co-operation between them, and to seek to increase the effectiveness of peace?
keeping and human rights activities. While reiterating that the General Assembly must have
the key role in the formulation of post-con?ict peace-building (PCPB) activities, we express
our concern over the fact that such an MOU should have been signed without any discussion
on this subject in the Special Committee on Peace?keeping Operations, and in the absence
of inter?governmental agreement on this subject.

Regional Organisations

55. We highlight the important role that regional arrangements and agencies, composed of
Non-Aligned and other developing countries, can play in the promotion of regional peace and
security, economic co-operation and economic and social development.

56. While reaf?rrning that the primary responsibility for international peace and security rests
with the United Nations, we stress that the role of regional arrangements or agencies, in that
regard, should not in any way be substituted for the role of the United Nations, or circumvent
the full application of the guiding principles of the United Nations and international law.

57. We reaf?rm that a process of consultations, co-operation and co-ordination between the
United Nations and regional arrangements or agencies, in accordance with Chapter of
the Charter, as well as on their?mandates, scope and composition, is useful and can
contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. 

58. Regional arrangements on economic co-operation can contribute to development and to
the growth of the world economy through, inter alia, the promotion of trade, investment and
technology transfer. We stress the need for a ?rm commitment to enhance economic co-
operation among developing countries within the framework of an open, multilateral,
equitable and non-discriminatory trading system.

59. In this context, we note that the Partnership concluded between ACP and EU provides for
the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and ACP sub-regions.
We urge States concerned to devise apprOpriate strategies to effectively co-ordinate their
position so that these negotiations are compatible with the objectives of regional integration
such as those envisaged in the Abuja Treaty.

60. We welcome the convening of the lX Summit of Heads of State or Government of the
Countries Members of the Organisation of the islamic Conference (OIC) that will take place in
the State of Qatar in the year 2000 and are con?dent that the decisions of the Summit will

 

 


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10

strengthen and promote international peace and security, and co-operation in conformity with
the UN Charter and with the principles and interests of the Non-Aligned Movement Members.

The Right to Self-Determination and Decolonisation

61. We reiterate the continued validity of the fundamental rights of all peoples to self-
deterrnination, the exercise of which, in the case of peoples under colonial or alien
domination and foreign occupation, is essential to ensure the eradication of all these
situations and to guarantee universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
We strongly condemn ongoing brutal suppression of the legitimate aspirations for self-
determination of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation in various
regions of the world.

62. We reaf?rm the inalienable right of? peoples of non-seIf-goveming territories to self-
deten'nination and independence in accordance with United Nations General Assembly
resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 regardless of the territory's size, geographical
location, population and limited natural resources. We renew our commitment to hasten the
complete elimination of colonialism, and support the effective implementation of the Plan of
Action of the Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. In this regard, we propose the
declaration of a new Decade for the elimination of Colonialism to commence in 2001. We
reaf?rm in this context that the principle of self-determination with respect to the remaining
territories within the framework of the Program of Action should be implemented in
accordance with the wishes of the people consistent with United Nations General Assembly
resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations.

63. In the context of the implementation of UNGA resolution 1514 (XV), we reiterate that any
attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a
country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
We also reaf?rm the right of all people that have been subjected to colonialism to receive full
compensation for the human and material losses they suffered as a result of colonialism, foreign
occupation and alien domination.

64. We call for the full implementation of relevant UNESCO resolutions and decisions relating
to the restitution of cultural property of peoples formerly under colonial rule and urge that
payment of applicable compensation be made in conformity with United Nations General
Assembly resolutions and the return of cultural property to their countries of origin. We also
af?rm the right of the Non?Aligned Countries to preserve their cultures and protect their
national heritage, which are the basis of the cultural identity of these countries.

65. We reaf?rm once again the right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and
independence on the basis of resolution 1514 (XV) of the United Nations General Assembly.
We take note of the resolution on Puerto Rico by the Committee on July 6, 1999, which, inter
alia, requested the US Government to order the halt of its armed forces military drills and
manoeuvres of Vieques Island and to withdraw from the occupied territory of Vieques. We
request the Committee of 24 to continue actively pursuing the issue of Puerto Rico.

66. We reiterate our strong support for the Committee of 24, which is an important subsidiary
body of the GA of the UN, and express our desire that the said body would continue to
receive both the adequate human and ?nancial resources aimed at actively pursuing its work
in order to determine the interests of the peoples of non-self governing territories regarding
their future political status, for which a number of actions, such as visiting missions and

 

 

 

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regional seminars, are totally adequate and necessary. For this purpose, we once again call
upon the Administering powers to grant their full support to the activities of the Committee.

Disarmament and International Security

67. We reaf?rm and reiterate the long-standing principled positions of the Movement on
disarmament and international security, including the decisions taken at the XII Summit in
Durban.
., .

68. We are deeply concerned at the updating of strategic defence doctrines that set out new
rationales for the use of nuclear weapons. In this regard also, we are deeply concerned over
the new ?Alliance Strategic Concept" adopted by NATO in April 1999, which not only maintain
unjusti?able concepts on international security based on promoting and developing military
alliances and policies of nuclear deterrence, but also includes new elements aimed to open
even more the scope for possible use or threat of use of force by NATO.

69. We are furthermore concerned over the negative implications of the development and
deployment of anti-ballistic missile defence systems and the pursuit of advanced military
technologies capable of deployment in outer space, which have, inter alia, contributed to the
further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the
strengthening of international security. in this connection, we call upon the States Parties to
the ABM Treaty to fully comply with its provisions. 

70. We are convinced of the need for a comprehensive approach towards missiles, in a
balanced and non discriminatory manner, as a contribution to international peace and
security. in this context, we recall the General Assembly resolution 54/54 F.

71. We reiterate our long-standing principled position for the total elimination of all nuclear
testing. We stress the signi?cance of achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), including by all the Nuclear Weapon States, which, inter
alia, should contribute to the process of nuclear disarmament. We express our satisfaction
that 155 States have signed the Treaty and 55 States have rati?ed it thus far. We reiterate
that if the objectives of the Treaty were to be fully realised, the continued commitment of all
State signatories, especially the Nuclear Weapon States, to nuclear disarmament would be
essential. We express our concern over the recent negative developments with regard to the
rati?cation of the CTBT.

72. We reaf?rm the importance of the Conference on Disarmament as the sole multilateral
negotiating body on disamament. In this context, we regret that the continued in?exible
postures of the Nuclear Weapon States continues to prevent the Conference on
Disarmament from establishing in 2000 an Ad Hoc Committee on nuclear disarmament to
start negotiations on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons
with a speci?ed framework of time, including a Nuclear Weapons Convention. in this regard,
we reiterate our call on the Conference on Disarmament to establish, as the highest priority,
an Ad Hoc Committee on Nuclear Disarmament. We underline once again the unanimous
conclusion of the International Court of Justice that there exists an obligation to pursue in
good faith and to bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its
aspects under strict and effective international control.

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73. We reiterate our conviction that efforts for the conclusion of a universal, unconditional and
legally binding instrument on security assurances to Non-Nuclear?Weapon States should be
pursued as a matter of priority by the members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

74. We consider the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZ) created by the
treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba as a positive step towards attaining
the objective of global nuclear disarmament. The Movement welcomes the efforts aimed at
creation of new nuclear-weapons-free zones in all regions of the world and calls for co?-
operation and broad consultation in order to achieve agreements freely arrived at between
the states of the region concerned. We reiterate that in the context of nuclear-weapon free
zones, it is essential that Nuclear Weapon States should provide unconditional assurances
against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons to all States of the zone. We urge States
to conclude agreements with a view to creating nuclear-weapon-free zones in regions where
they do not exist, in accordance with the provisions of the Final Document of the Special
Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament in this context, we
welcome the adoption by the United Nations Disarmament Commission at its 1999 session of
a document entitled ?Establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of
arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned.? We also welcome
and support the recent adoption by the Mongolian Parliament of legislation on Mongolia?s
nuclear-weapon?free status as a concrete contribution to the international efforts to
strengthen the non?proliferation regime.

75. We reiterate the support for the establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of all
weapons of mass destruction. To this end, we reaffirm the need for the speedy establishment
of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East in accordance with Security Council
resolutions 487 (1981) and 687 (1991) and the relevant General Assembly resolutions
adopted by consensus. We call upon all parties concerned to take urgent and practical steps
towards the establishment of such a zone and, pending its establishment, we call on lsrael,
the only country in the region that has not joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons nor declared its intention to do so, to renounce possession of
nuclear weapons, to accede to the NPT without delay, to place all its nuclear
facilities under IAEA full-sc0pe safeguards and to conduct its nuclear related activities in
conformity with the non-proliferation regime. We express great concern over the acquisition
of nuclear capability by Israel which poses a serious and continuing threat to the security of
neighbouring and other States and we condemn lsrael for continuing to develop and stockpile
nuclear arsenals. We are of the view that stability cannot be achieved in a region where
massive imbalances in military capabilities are maintained particularly through the possession
of nuclear weapons which allow one party to threaten its neighbours and the region. We
further welcome the initiative by HE. Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, on the establishment of a zone free from weapons of mass destruction in
the Middle East. We stress that necessary steps should be taken in different international fora
for the establishment of this zone. We also call for the total and complete prohibition of the
transfer of all nuclear-related equipment, information, material and facilities, resources or
devices and the extension of assistance in the nuclear related scientific or technological ?elds
to lsrael. in this regard, we express our serious concern over the recent development
whereby Israeli scientists are provided access to the nuclear facilities of one Nuclear Weapon
State. This development will have potentially serious negative implications on the regional
security as well as the reliability of the global non-proliferation regime.

76. We, the Ministers of the States Parties to the NPT, reiterate our call and the ?rm
commitment by all States parties to the Treaty for the full implementation at the 2000 NPT

 

 

 

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Review Conference, of the package agreed to at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension
Conference which comprises of the decision on ?Strengthening the review process for the
Treaty?, the decision on ?Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-proliferation and
Disarmament?, the decision on ?Extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons?, and the ?Resolution on the Middle East?. We note with appreciation that speci?c
time was made available at the Third Preparatory session for the 2000 Review Conference
for the discussion on and consideration of proposals on the provisions in Article VI of the NPT
and in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 1995 decision on ?Principles and Objectives for Nuclear
Nan-Proliferation and Disarmament?, dealing with nuclear disarmament, as well as on the
Resolution on the Middle East adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. in this
context, we reaf?rm the importance of the implementation of the call by our Heads of State or
Government for the Review Conference to establish a subsidiary body to Main Committee i to
deliberate on'practical steps for systematic and progressive efforts to eliminate nuclear
weapons, as well as a subsidiary body to Main Committee II to consider and recommend
proposals on the implementation of the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995
Review and Extension Conference of the NPT.

77. We note with concern that undue restrictions on exports to developing countries of
material, equipment and technology, for peaceful purposes persist. We emphasise that
proliferation concerns are best addressed through muitilaterally negotiated, universal,
comprehensive and non-discriminatory agreements. Non-proliferation control arrangements
should be transparent and open to participation by all States, and should ensure that they do
not impose restrictions on access to material, equipment and technology for peaceful
purposes required by developing countries for their continued development. in this regard we
also express our strong rejection of attempts by any member State to use the international
Atomic Energy Agency?s technical co-operation programme as a tool for political
purposes in violation of the Statute.

78. We, the Ministers of the States parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
welcome the increasing number of rati?cations of the Convention and invite all States who
have still not rati?ed it to do so as soon as possible with the view to its universality. We also
underline the urgency of satisfactorily resolving the unresolved issues in the framework of the
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with a view to paving the
ground for the effective, full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Convention. in this
context, we reiterate our call on the developed countries to promote international co?
operation through the transfer of technology, material and equipment for peaceful purposes
in the chemical ?eld and the removai of all and any discriminatory restrictions that are
contrary to the letter and spirit of the Convention. We emphasise the need for an urgent
conclusion of the relationship agreement between the United Nations and the OPCW, in
accordance with the provisions of the CWC.

79. While asserting that the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) inherently
precludes the use of biological weapons, we, the Ministers of the States Parties to the
Convention recall the decision by the BWC Review Conference that the use by the States
Parties, in any way and under any circumstances, of microbial or other biological agents or
toxins, that is not consistent with prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes, is
effectively a violation of Article I of the Convention. We reiterate our conviction that the use
of biological weapons, in any way and under any circumstances, is effectively a violation of
Article of the Convention and we express the wish for this issue to be pursued further by the
States Parties. We note the progress achieved so far in negotiating a Protocol to strengthen
the BWC and reaf?rm the decision of the Fourth Review Conference urging the conclusion of

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the negotiations by the Ad Hoc Group as soon as possible, before the commencement of the
Fifth Review Conference, and for it to submit its report, which shall be adopted by consensus,
to the States Parties to consider it at a Special Conference. Therefore arti?cial deadlines
should be avoided. While we also note that there still exist a number of outstanding issues
that need to be resolved, we are satis?ed with the substantial progress which has been
achieved in the negotiations of the Ad Hoc Group, and wish to emphasise that the principle of
negotiation on the rolling text provides the methodology for resolving outstanding issues by
consensus. Finally, and in this context, we call for ?exibility to be shown on the outstanding
issues as has already been demonstrated by the positive contributions on key issues made
by the NAM and Other States participating in the negotiations, and we call on the Ad Hoc
Group to conclude its work at the earliest possible date allowing suf?cient time for the steps
which would need to be taken for the consideration of the outcome of the Ad Hoc Group's
work at a special conference to be held prior to the BWC 2001 Review Conference.

80. We remain deeply concerned over the illicit transfer, manufacture and circulation of small
arms and light weapons and their excessive accumulation and proliferation in many
countries, with destabilising effects. We fully share the regional and international concern that
the easy availability of illicit small arms and light weapons escalate con?icts, undermine
political stability and have a devastating impact on peace and security. We invite the
international community, in co?operation with international and other regional organisations to
work together towards resolving the problem of proliferation of illicit small arms and light
weapons. In this context, we welcome the decision adopted by the 35?" Summit of Heads of
State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) held in Algiers, Algeria,
regarding the illicit proliferation, circulation and traf?cking of small arms and light weapons;
the entry into force on 1 July 1998, of the Inter-American Convention against the illicit
Manufacturing of and Traf?cking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related
Materials; the decision on prevention and combating of illicit trafficking in small arms and
related crimes adopted by the Council of Ministers at the XIX Summit of Heads of State or
Government of the Southern African Development Community held in Maputo, Mozambique;
the initiative taken by the States members of the Economic Community of West African
States in declaring a moratorium on the importation, exportation and manufacture of small
arms and light weapons in West Africa; the Nairobi Declaration on the Problem of the
Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn
of Africa adOpted at the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa Conference on the
Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons held (in Nairobi, Kenya, from 12-15 March
2000 and we encourage similar initiatives in this regard.

81. We express our support for the convening of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit
Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Aspects which will be held in 2001, and
welcome the establishment of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference which held its
?rst meeting from 28 February 3 March 2000. We recall that the General Assembly at its 54
Session, in resolution 54/54 V, decided that the scope of the UN Conference will be the illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. We reiterate our call for the Chairman
of the Preparatory Committee to utilise the inter?sessional period to conduct open-ended
informal consultations in a transparent manner to facilitate the widest possible exchange of
views on all issues related to this Conference. We are also in favour of informal inter?
sessional meetings prior to the second session on all issues pertaining to the illicit trade in
small arms and light weapons in all its aspects provided that such meetings should be held in
New York in order to ensure the widest possible participation of States, in particular countries
with limited representation, and to ensure continuity in the work of the Preparatory
Committee. We invite the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee to submit a report to the

 

 

 

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Preparatory Committee at its second session on the outcome of consultations conducted in
the inter-sessional period. We stress that the venues of future Preparatory Committee
sessions and the Conference should ensure the broadest participation of all Member States
of the United Nations, in particular countries with limited representation. in this regard, we
take note with appreciation of the offer made by the Republic of Kenya to host one of the
future Preparatory Committee Sessions. We believe that the Conference should be chaired
by a representative of a country affected by the illicit traf?c in small arms and light weapons.

82. We deplore the use, in contravention of international humanitarian law, of anti-personnel
mines in con?ict situations aimed at maiming, killing and terrorising'innocent civilians,
denying them access to farmland, causing famine and forcing them to ?ee their homes
eventually leading to depopulation and preventing the return of civilians to their place of
original residence. We call upon the international community to provide the necessary
assistance to landmine clearance operations as well as the rehabilitation of victims and their
social and economic reintegration in the landmine affected countries. We further call for
international assistance to ensure full access of affected countries to material equipment,
technology and ?nancial resources for mine clearance. We also call for increased
humanitarian assistance for victims of landmines.

83. We express concern about the residue of the Second World War, particularly in the form
of landmines, which have caused human and material damage and obstructed development
plans in some Non-Aligned countries. We call on the States responsible for laying the mines
outside their territories to co-operate with the affected countries, provide the necessary
information, and maps indicating the locations of such mines, technical assistance for their
clearance and contribute towards defrayal of the costs of clearance and provide
compensation for any ensuing losses.

84. We call on States to become parties to the Convention on Prohibition or Restrictions on
the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively
injurious or to Have indiscriminate Effects (CCW) and its Protocols, in particular in light of the
Review Conference in 2001. We take note of the First Annual Conference of States Parties to
the Amended Protocol II to the CCW, realised in Geneva in December 1999 and stress the
importance of its effective implementation. We also take note of the realisation of the First
Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling,
Production and Transfer of Anti Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, which took place
in Maputo, Mozambique in May 1999.

85. We call for an international conference, at the earliest possible date, with the objective of
arriving at an agreement on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear
weapons with a speci?ed framework of time to eliminate all nuclear weapons, to prohibit their
development, production, acquisition, testing, stockpiling, transfer, use or threat of use, and
to provide for their destruction.

86. We reiterate once again our support for the convening of the Fourth Special Session of
the United Nations General Assembly devoted to Disam'lament. We express deep concern
over the lack of consensus on the deliberations held by the United Nations Disarmament
Commission in 1999 on the agenda and objectives. We note that the General Assembly
requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States and report to'the 55th
General Assembly on the objectives, agenda and timing of the Special Session. In this
regard, we direct the Co-ordinating Bureau to entrust the NAM Working Group on

Disarmament with the task of continuing to press for further steps leading to the convening of-
'15

 

 


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the Fourth Special Session with the participation of all Member States of the United Nations
as well as the need for SSOD-IV to review and assess the implementation of while
reaffirming its principles and priorities.

Indian Ocean

87. We reaffirm the validity of the objectives of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone
of Peace. We reaf?rm the importance of international co-operation to ensure peace, security
and stability in the lndian Ocean region. We note that greater efforts and more time are
required to facilitate a focused discussion on practical measures to ensure conditions of
peace, security and stability in the region. We also note that in light of resolution 54/47 of the
United Nations General Assembly, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian
Ocean will continue his informal consultations on the future work of the Committee.

Terrorism

88. We are greatly concerned over acts of terrorism which, under various pretexts and
disguises, result in the most ?agrant violation of lntemational law including intemationai
humanitarian law, and seek to destabilise the prevailing constitutional order and political unity of
sovereign States. We declare that terrorism also affects the stability of nations and the very
basis of societies especially pluralistic societies and impedes the full enjoyment of the human
rights of peoples. We condemn all acts, methods and practices of terrorism as unjusti?able
whatever the considerations or factors that may be invoked to justify them.

89. We welcome with satisfaction the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration
on Measures to Eliminate lntemational Terrorism (UNGA resolution 49/60), the Convention
for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the lntemational Convention for the
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and urge that they be implemented. We reiterate
our condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism, as they have adverse
consequences, inter alia, on the economic and social development of States. We declare that
terrorism also affects the stability of nations and the very basis of societies, especially
pluralistic societies. We reiterate the need for the urgent conclusion and the effective
implementation of a comprehensive convention for combating international terrorism. in the
light of the previous initiatives adopted by NAM, we call for an lntemational Summit
Conference under the auspices of the United Nations to formulate a joint organised response
of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We welcome
with satisfaction the UN General Assembly resolution 541110 which decided that the ad hoc
Committee on Terrorism established by resolution 51l210, shall consider the elaboration of a
comprehensive convention on international terrorism, and shall address the question of
convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the UN to formulate a joint
organised response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations. We further call upon all States to support these initiatives as elaborated
above.

90. We reaf?rm that criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the
general public, a group of persons or particular persons for whatever purposes are, in any
circumstance, unjusti?able, whatever the considerations or factors that may be invoked to
justify them.

91. We reaf?rm the Movements principled position under the lntemational law on the legitimacy
of the struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation for national

 

 

 

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liberation and self-determination, which does not constitute terrorism and we call once again for
the de?nition of terrorism to differentiate it from the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial
or alien domination and foreign occupation, for self-determination and national liberation.

92. We urge all States to co-operate to enhance international co-operation in the ?ght against
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and, wherever, by whoever, against whomsoever it
occurs, at the national, regional and lntemational levels, and to observe and implement the
relevant international? and bilateral instruments, taking into account the Finai Document of the
UN Conference on the Prevention of Crime and Criminal Justice held in Cairo in 1995.

93. We emphasise that international co-operation to combat terrorism should be conducted in
conformity with the principles of the United Nations Charter, intemationai law and relevant
international conventions, and express our opposition to selective and unilateral actions in
violation of principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. in this context, we call upon
the competent United Nations Organs to promote ways and means to strengthen co-operation,
including the international legal regime for combating international terrorism.

94. We welcome the adaption of the Convention of the Organisation of African Unity on the
Prevention and Combating of Terrorism by the Heads of State and Government of the OAU at
the Algiers Summit in July 1999, as a positive step in developing a comprehensive legal
framework for regional co-Operation in combating terrorism and welcome the entry into force of
the Arab Convention to Combat Terrorism on 7 May 1999. We also weicome the organisation of
the lslamic Conference Convention on Combating lntemational Terrorism adopted by the OIC
Ministerial Conference held in Ouagadougou from 28 June to 1 July 1999.

95. We reiterate that all States are under the obligation pursuant to the purposes and principles
and other provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant lntemational
instruments, codes of conduct and other rules of lntemational law to refrain from organising,
assisting or participating in terrorist acts in the territories of other States or acquiescing in or
encouraging activities within their territories directed towards the commission of such acts,
inCluding allowing the use of national territories and territories under their jurisdiction for planning
and training for that purpose. We solemnly reaf?rrn our unequivocal condemnation of any
political, diplomatic, moral or material support for terrorism. We also call on all States to adhere
to and implement existing international conventions against terrorism.

Mercenaries

96. We reiterate our belief that mercenarism, in all its forms, constitutes an obstacle to peace
and the exercise of sovereignty by Non-Aligned Countries and endangers the national security
of States, especially smali States as well as the safety and stability of multi-ethnic States, and
impedes the exercise of the right of peoples to self-detennination. We urge all States to take the
necessary steps and to exercise the utmost vigilance against the menace posed by the activities
of mercenaries and to take appropriate legislative measures to ensure that their territories and
other territories under their control are not used for recruitment, assembly, ?nancing, training
and transit of mercenaries for the planning of activities designed to destabilise or overthrow the
Government or threaten the territorial integrity and political unity of sovereign States.

International Law

97. We recall the Declaration on the United Nations DipiomaticConference of Plenipotentiaries
on the Establishment of an lntemational Criminal Court by the NAM Ministerial Meeting of the

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Co-ordinating Bureau. We take note of the ongoing discussions in the Preparatory Commission
and we stress the need to ensure, during the work of the Preparatory Commission, that the
Court is impartial and independent of political organs of the United Nations which should not
direct or hinder the functions of the Court nor assume a parallel or superior role to the Court. We
also note the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the Statute of the Court, in particular
during the work of the Preparatory Commission and emphasise the need to take the necessary
measures to ensure the coming into operation of the International Criminal Court.

98. We note the conclusion by the Preparatory Commission for the lntemationai Criminal
Court of its second reading of the Elements of Crimes and the Rules of Procedure and
Evidence. We call on all States to work together to ensure the timely completion of the mandate
of the Preparatory Commission in particular with regard to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence
and the Elements of Crimes. We also emphasise the need to conclude the ongoing work of the
Preparatory Commission with respect to the crime of aggression, which is an important part of
the Statute. In this regard, we urge the active and consistent participation of the members of
NAM in the Working Group in all issues, particularly with regard to arriving at an acceptable
de?nition of this serious crime.

99. We stress our serious concern on the intention of a group of States to unilaterally reinterpret
or re-draft the existing legal instruments in accordance with their own views and interests. We
emphasise that the integrity of legal instruments by Member States must be maintained. We
also express our deep concern at the most recent experiences in the election of several Treaty
Bodies, which resulted in a loss of seats of experts from the Non-Aligned Countries, which
resulted in an unbalanced representation of all regions at these bodies. We call upon the Non-
Aligned Countries that are parties to the relevant legal treaties to work together in order to
redress this anomaly, and underline the need for a more active solidarity and unity among the
Non?Aligned Countries by supporting the candidatures of experts from the Non-Aligned
Countries.

100. We emphasise the need for a renewal of commitment by the intemational community to
uphold and defend the principles of the UN Charter, the international law, international
humanitarian law, and the international Court of Justice as well as the means envisaged in the
UN Charter for the paci?c settlement of disputes. The Charter refers to the international Court
of Justice as the Organisation's principal judicial organ. The Security Council should make
greater use of the World Court as a source of advisory opinions, and in controversial instances,
use it as a source of interpreting relevant international law.

101. We remain ?rmly Opposed to evaluations, certi?cations and other coercive unilateral
measures as a means of exerting pressure on Non-Aligned Countries and other developing
countries. Coercive unilateral measures and legislation are contrary to intemational law,
international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter and the norms and principles
governing peaceful relations among states and thus are to be further decried by the
intemationai community. We reject the increasing trend in this direction. We strongly object to
the extra?territorial nature of those measures, which, in addition, threaten the sovereignty of
States and we call on States applying unilateral coercive measures to put an immediate and
to those measures.

102. We condemn the continued unilateral application, by certain powers, of coercive
economic and other measures, including the enactment of extra-territorial laws, against a
number of developing countries, with a view to preventing these countries from exercising
their right to decide, by their own free will, their own political, economic and social systems.

 

 

 

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We call on all countries not to recognise the unilateral extra-territorial laws enacted by certain
countries, which impose sanctions on other States and foreign companies and individuals.
We reaf?rm that such legislation contradict norms of international law and run counter to the
principles and purposes of the United Nations.

103. We call on all States to refrain from adopting or implementing extra-territorial or
unilateral measures of coercion as means of exerting pressure on Non-Aligned and other
developing countries. We note that measures such as Helms-Burton Law, D'Amato-Kennedy
?Acts and other laws recently enacted related to other issues, constitute violations of
international law, and the Charter of the United Nations, and call on the international
community to talgje effective action in orderto arrest this trend.

104. We position taken by the Summit in Durbanon the air attack carried out
by the United States government against the AI-Shifa Pharmaceutical Plant in the Sudan on
20 August 1998. .

Peaceful settlement of disputes

105. We emphasise the need for a renewal of commitment by the international community to
uphold and defend the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law as well
as the means envisaged in the United Nations Charter for the paci?c settlement of disputes.
The role of the Movement in promoting a just international order would largely depend on its
inner strength, unity and cohesion. It is therefore, incumbent on all Member Countries to work
earnestly towards promoting the solidarity and unity of the Movement.

106. We recall the decisions of the Cartagena Summit to mandate the Co-ordinating Bureau
to study further the question of a mechanism for peaceful settlement of disputes between
Member Countries, including proposals made and positions expressed at the Summit and to
report to the Committee on Methodology. We note that this study has yet to be submitted.

Culture of Peace

107. We welcome the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration and Programme of
Action on the Culture of Peace. We call upon states, governments, organisations and peoples to
promote a culture of peace based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-
interference in internal affairs of states, the principles of international relations established in the
Charter of the UN, full realisation of the right to development, democracy, tolerance, economic
and social development, human rights, elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia,
foreign occupation, allowing free ?ow of information, gender mainstreaming, prevention of
violence and promotion of non-violence for the creation of an environment of peace and for its
consolidation.

108. in this context, we welcome again the proclamation of the year 2000 as the international
year for the culture of peace and invite Member States to adopt all necessary measures to
commemorate this Year, according to the principles and objectives of the Declaration and
Program of Action on a Culture of Peace. We also welcome the proclamation of the period 2001
to 2010 as the international decade for the culture of peace and non-violence for the children of
the world.

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CHAPTER II: ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION
PALESTINE AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Palestine

109. We reaf?rm the positions taken by the XII Summit in Durban on the Question of Palestine
and the Situation in the Middle East. We unequivocally support the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people, including the right to return to their homeland and to have their own
independent State with Jerusalem as its capital, and we reiterate our demand for the withdrawal
of israel, the occupying Power, from all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
Jerusalem, and the other Arab territories occupied since 1967. We call for the implementation
of all United Nations resolutions on the question of Palestine, and reaf?nn the permanent
responsibility of the United Nations towards the question of Palestine until it is effectively solved
in all its aspects.

110. We reaf?rm the Movement?s position on Occupied East Jemsalem, including on illegal
lsraeli actions aimed at changing the legal status and demographic composition of the city, the
illegal Israeli settlements and the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to all the
Occupied Palestinian Ten'itory, including Jerusalem. We demand that Israel, the occupying
Power, implement Security Council resolutions in this regard and abide by its legal obligations.
We welcome the convening of the conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth
Geneva Convention on Measures to Enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including Jerusalem on 15 July 1999, as recommended by the resolutions of the 10th
Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly. We further welcome the important
statement by the Conference, which reaf?rms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention
to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and we reiterate support for the
reconvening of the Conference should the need arise. We reiterate that Israeli representation in
the work of the General Assembly must be in conformity with intemational law, thus ensuring
that Israeli credentials do not cover the territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. We
urge that meetings of international organisations shall not be convened in occupied Jemsalem.
We reaf?rm our support for the Bethlehem 2000 Project in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem and
express con?dence that the increased assistance and engagement of the intemational
community will ensure the successful commemoration of the event.

Syrian Golan

111. We reaf?rm that all measures and actions taken, or to be taken by Israel, the occupying
power, such as its illegal decision of 14 December 1981 that purports to alter the legal, physical
and demographic status of the occupied Syrian Golan and its institutional structure, as well as
the Israeli measures to apply its jurisdiction and administration there, are null and void. We also
reaf?rm that all such measures and actions constitute a ?agrant violation of international law,
international conventions, the Charter and decisions of the United Nations, particularly Security
Council resolution 497 (1981), the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 on the
protection of civilians in time of war, and the de?ance of will of the international community. We
demand that Israel comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and withdraw fully from
the occupied Syrian Golan, to the lines of 4 June 1967, in implementation of Security Council
resolutions 242 and 338, and that Israel adheres to the Madrid terms of reference based on the
principle of land for peace, which are in their entirety considered to be a primary and basic
element in the negotiation process that should be adhered to, including the immediate
commencement of the demarcation of the 4 June 1967 line.

 

 

 

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112. We reaf?rm our unwavering support and solidarity with the Syrian just demand and rights to
restore the full Syrian sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan on the basis of the terms of
reference of the Madrid peace process, the decisions of the international legitimacy, as well as
the principle of land for peace. We demand that Israel respect all commitments and pledges it
entered into with the aim of laying down the basis for a substantive progress on the Syrian-
lsraeli track.

Lebanon

113. While expressing our deep concern over the continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon,
and the ensuing illegal detainment of Lebanese nationals, loss of civilian lives and extensive
destruction of property and infrastructure, we call on Israel to withdraw immediately, completely
and unconditionally from South Lebanon and the Western Bekaa to the internationally
recognised boundaries in compliance with Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426
(1978) and to fully and strictly respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political
independence of Lebanon. We also maintain that any conditions put fonivard by Israel for the
implementation of resolution 425 (1978) would alter its legal and political structure and are
hence unacceptable.

The Peace Process

114. We reaf?rm the need to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle
East. We af?rm our determination to actively strive towards the attainment of this objective.
We reiterate our support for the Middle East Peace Process based on Security Council
resolutions 242, 338 and 425 and the principle of land for peace. We further reiterate the
need for compliance with and implementation of the agreements reached between the
Palestine Liberation Organisation and Israel as well as the ful?lment of the commitments and
pledges made in accordance with the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference and the
ensuing negotiations. We reiterate the need to fully respect and adhere to the September
2000 deadline set for the achievement of the ?nal settlement. In this context we believe that
the United Nations Millennium Summit should serve as an additional and natural deadline in
which Palestine should participate as a UN Member State. We express our grave concern
over the current state of affairs in the peace process, particularly the recent disruption of this
process on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. In this regard, we consider the attempts by the
Israeli Government to change the terms of reference of the peace process and create a new
reality on the ground, as well as its failure to give priority to the core questions, to be an
obstacle on the way of realisation of peace.

115. In view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation, we request the Non?Aligned
Movement Countries to increase pressure and use all available measures on regional and
international level to ensure Israel's compliance with the terms of reference of the Madrid
Conference and the principle of land for peace and Israel?s full implementation of all
agreements, undertakings, and commitments reached by the concerned parties on all tracks
during the peace talks. We also af?rm that the failure by the Israeli Government to respond
positively would require the Non-Aligned Movement Members to take further appropriate
measures.

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AFRICA

116. On the situation in Africa, we welcome the establishment of the Open-Ended Working
Group on the Causes of Conflict and the Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable
Development in Africa as called for in the General Assembly resolution 53192. We urge all
members, in particular African countries, to actively and constructively participate in the activities
of the working group. We recommend that the General Assembly, the United Nations system,
Bretton Woods institutions and other appropriate bodies consider the Secretary-General's report
and follow up on the recommendations contained therein in accordance with the priorities of
African countries.

117. We reaf?rm the existence of an intrinsic link between peace and development, which
requires an integrated approach to con?ict prevention, resolution and management. in this
regard we commend the efforts undertaken by African countries towards the resolution of
incipient and persistent con?icts in the continent and call on the United Nations and the
intemationai community to support these efforts as well as social and economic development.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

118. We express our deep concern regarding the situation prevailing in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo. We regret the violations of the Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement by some parties,
and we condemn the ensuing generalised resumption of ?ghting. We welcome the Security
Council decision to authorise expansion of the UN Observer Mission to the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (MONUC) and reiterate the importance and validity of the Lusaka Cease-?re
Agreement of 10 July 1999 as being a fundamental tool in reaching a peaceful settlement to the
conflict in this country. We urge the UN Security Council to speedily deploy the UN Peace?
Keeping Force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we call on all parties to rapidly
implement the process that should lead to the orderly withdrawal of foreign troops from the
Congo territory and promote a solution to the internal problems in this country. We further call
upon the parties to the con?ict to fully co-operate with the facilitator of the National Dialogue in a
way to ensure success of the National Dialogue, and for the international community to provide
?nancial resources into the UN Trust Fund to enable the facilitator to complete his task.

Somalia

119. We note with concern the lack of progress in the resolution of the crisis of Somalia. We
reiterate the call that all Somali factional leaders co-operate in the search of a comprehensive
and durable peace in Somalia by adhering to the various agreements reached over the past
years, in particular the agreements concluded at Sodere (Ethiopia), Nairobi and Sense.

120. We welcome the Cairo Accord signed in Cairo by the Somali Factions in December
1997, and note the outcome of the Addis Ababa Meeting of the National Salvation Council
held in January 1998.

121. We reiterate our full support for all efforts made by the international community,
including regional actors, in particular the countries of to assist in the resolution of the
problem of Somalia. in this context, we stress the need for co?ordination of all efforts for
peace in Somalia with the regional initiative of IGAD.

122. We welcome the initiative of the President of Djibouti aimed at restoring peace and
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the principle that Somalis are free to democratically choose their own regional and national
leaders. We call on all states to observe and improve the effectiveness of the arms embargo
and to refrain from any action that might exacerbate the situation in Somalia.

123. We reiterate our full support for the efforts of the United Nations, the OAU, the Arab
League, and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to assist in the resolution of the
crisis in Somalia. We call upon the United Nations Secretary-General to assist in peace
efforts in Somalia.

124. We express serious concern at the spiralling violence and increased insecurity arising
from the intensi?cation of intra and inter-clan disputes, and call upon the Somali faction
leaders to make a determined effort to bring an end to these intra and inter-clan disputes,
which have led to death and destruction of property and threaten to undermine humanitarian
relief deliveries and impede the advancement of the peace and national reconciliation
process in Somalia.

125. We appeal to the international community to provide humanitarian, economic and
reconstruction assistance to the people of Somalia in a well-calibrated manner and with the
goal of advancing the peace process and strengthening constituencies for peace.

Libyan Arab Jantahiriya

126. On the Lockerbie question; we recall the positions of the Movement as outlined in the Final
Document of the Summit held in Durban in September 1998, and express our satisfaction
over the courageous decision of the authorities of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to encourage the
two Libyan suspects to stand trial before the Scottish Court sitting in the Netherlands, and
support the Jamahiriya? demand for adequate guarantees and conditions to ensure a just and
fair trial for the two suspects.

127. We take note of the prompt and unanimous response of the Security Council to steps
taken by Libya .to bring this matter to a close. In taking these steps, Libya has now ful?lled all
its obligations in terms of Security Council resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992), 883 (1993)
and 1192 (1998) as well as the requirements of resolution 731 (1992). We therefore urge the
Security Council to adopt a resolution lifting completely the sanctions against Libya. We
support the right of Libya for compensation of the damages it suffered as a result of the
sanctions. We also call for the immediate lifting of all unilateral sanctions imposed against
Libya outside of the United Nations regime.

12.8,. We express the view, now that the legal process has gone before the Scottish Court as
'agreed by all parties concerned, that the politicisation, in any form and by any party whatever,
and making demands before a ?nal judgement is pronounced in this legal dispute would be
unacceptable. Furthermore, inasmuch as the matter is sub~judice, all parties must comply
with whatever verdict is reached by the Scottish Court convened in the Netherlands.

Angola

129. We note with satisfaction the recent positive developments in Angola, particularly the
extension of the government authority and administration throughout the country. We take
note of the report of the panel of experts of the United Nations Security Council on Angola
and urge the Security Council to adopt the report and pass a resolution on the
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the legal basis for outlawing any type of support that is receiving and will send a clear
sign to Mr. Savimbi that he is isolated and the intemational community can no longer tolerate
his actions. We welcome the efforts of the Angolan government to take the necessary and
appropriate measures for the reestablishment of security and stability all over the national
territory and for the preparation of free and fair democratic elections by the year 2001. We
appeal to the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the
people of Angola, and to support the Angolan government efforts in the consolidation of its
democratic institutions.

Ethiopia and Eritrea

130. We ?rmly support the mediation efforts being undertaken by the OAU, and its current
chairman, President Abdelaziz Boute?ika of Algeria, and appeal to Ethiopia and Eritrea to
continue to cooperate fully in the search for a peaceful, fair and lasting solution to the dispute.

Sierra Leone

131. We take note of the important measures adepted by the Government of Sierra Leone and
by the United Revolutionary Front in order to guarantee the application of the Peace Agreement
signed in Lom? on 7 July 1999, which provides Sierra Leone?s people with the opportunity to put
an end, in a de?nite way, to the con?ict in that country. We salute the initiatives and actions
taken by the Heads of State and Govemment of the ECOWAS aimed at establishing and
consolidating peace in Sierra Leone. We commend the Military Observer Group of the
ECOWAS (ECOMOG) and the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) for their
outstanding contribution to the achievement of this same objective. At the same time, we
welcome the creation of the new Mission of the United Nations in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), the
agreement which replaces the with the mandate to co-operate with the Govemment
of Sierra Leone and the other parties in order to implement the Peace Agreement. We call on all
the parties to fully respect the Lom? Accords and the other subsequent accords in order to
restore peace in Sierra Leone, and to respect the mandate of UNAMSIL as stipulated by the
Security Council. We instantly invite the international community to continue to provide help
and assistance to Sierra Leone, with a view to the reconstruction of the country.

Western Sahara

132. Noting the latest progress in resolving the question of Western Sahara, we reiterate the
support of the Movement for the efforts of the United Nations to organise and supervise an
impartial, free and fair referendum in accordance with the Settlement Plan, the Houston
Agreements and with relevant Security Council and United Nations resolutions.

Chagos Archipelago

133. We reaf?rm that Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, is an integral part of the
sovereign territory of the Republic of Mauritius. In this regard, we call again on the former
colonial power to pursue constructive dialogue expeditiously with Mauritius for the early
return of Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to the sovereignty of the Republic of
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ASIA
Iraq - Kuwait

134. Regarding the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, we emphasise that all Member Countries
in the Movement are committed to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political
independence of both Kuwait and Iraq. We also emphasise that the full implementation of all
relevant Security Council resolutions constitutes the means of establishing peace, security and
stability in the region. In this respect, we stress the importance of Iraq to its completion of
implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions.

135. We stress the need to resolve expeditiously the fate of all prisoners/detainees and missing
persons of Kuwait and third country nationals by means of serious and sincere co-operation with
the lntemational Committee of the Red Cross to reach a solution of this particular issue and to
return the properties of the Government of Kuwait including of?cial documents removed from
national archives seized by Iraq. In this respect, we recall the appointment of Mr. YuIiy
Vorontsov by the Secretary-General as the High Level Co?ordinator to follow-up the release of
Kuwaiti and third country prisoners/detainees and the return of Kuwaiti property seized by Iraq.

Iraq

136. We deplore the imposition and continued military enforcement of ?No-Fly Zones" on Iraq by
individual countries without any authorisation from the United Nations Security Council or
General Assembly. In this respect, we recall the statement on the situation in Iraq issued by the
Movement of the Non?Aligned Countries on 17 December 1998, which was issued as a
document of UNGA (N53l762).

137. We strongly condemn the repeated actions of Turkish armed forces violating the territoriai
integrity of Iraq under the pretext of ?ghting guerrilla elements hiding inside Iraqi territory. These
actions of Turkish armed forces constitute stark illegal violations of the international boundaries
mutually recognised between the two countries and a threat to regional and international peace
and security. We also reject the so-called "hot-pursuit" measures adopted by Turkey to justify
such actions that are abhorrent to international law and to the norms of practice amongst States.

138. We note with deep concern the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian conditions of
the Iraqi population due to sanctions. Based upon the principles and decisions of the Movement,
we urge Member Countries of the Movement to deploy their efforts to halt this tragedy and help
in lifting the sanctions as soon as possible in accordance with relevant Security Council
resolutions.

139. We stress the need to work diligently towards resolving the fate of more than 1,150 Iraqi
civilians and military personnel who went missing after the military actions of 1991, and whose
individual ?les have been submitted to the ICRC. We also urge that help be extended to Iraq
through UNESCO and the other competent bodies for the restoration of all objects of art and
antiquity stolen or smuggled out of Iraq during past years.

Korean Peninsula
140. We are deeply concerned over the fact that the Korean Peninsula still remains divided in

spite of the desires and aspirations of the Korean people for reuni?cation, and reaf?rm the
support to the Korean people .to reunify their homeland in accordance with the three

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principles set forth in the North-South Joint Statement on 4 July 1972 and through dialogue
and negotiations on the basis of the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, and co?
operation and Exchange between the North and South concluded in February 1992. We
consider the importance of guaranteeing a durable peace and security in the Korean
Peninsula for the sake of the common prosperity of the Korean People as well as peace and
security in North-East Asia and the rest of the world.

Afghanistan

141. Recalling paragraphs 245?251 of the Final Document adopted by the NAM Summit
at Durban, paragraph 97 of the Final Communique of the Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign
Affairs of NAM held on 23 September 1999, the UNGA resolutions 53/203, 54/185, and
54/189, UNSC resolutions 1214 of 8 December 1998 and 1267 of 15 October 1999,
Presidential Statements of the Security Council of 22 October 1999 and 7 April 2000, the
press statements by the President of the Security Council on 5 August 1999 and 3 March
2000, and while reiterating our commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, we call upon all States concerned to immediately
and the supply of arms, ammunition, military equipment, training or other military support to
all parties to the con?ict in Afghanistan, including the presence and involvement of all foreign
military personnel. We express serious concern over the military offensives immediately after
the Tashkent meeting of ?six plus two? group and the recent offensives during March 2000,
launched by the Taliban, in de?ance of appeals by the international community, condemn the
forceful displacement of civilians in Afghanistan as a gross violation of international
humanitarian law. We are convinced, as the recent developments in the battle?eld clearly
demonstrated, that there is no military solution to the Afghan con?ict and call upon all Afghan
parties to cease immediately all armed hostilities, to renounce the use of force and to
engage, without preconditions, in a genuine and serious political dialogue aimed at achieving
a lasting political settlement acceptable to all Afghans. We note with concern the report of the
Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan. We welcome the
initiative taken by HE. President Mohammad Khatami of Iran in his capacity as the Chairman
of the Islamic Summit in sending a delegation of OIC to a number of countries in the
region with the purpose of developing, in line with the central peace-making role of the United
Nations, a comprehensive, commonly agreeable plan of action to achieve peace in
Afghanistan. We reaf?rm that the United Nations must continue to play its central and
impartial role in international efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict. We
reaf?rm the need for creating a broad based, multi-ethnic and fully representative government
by the Afghans themselves, which would protect the rights of all Afghans and observe the
international obligations of Afghanistan. We express concern over actions undermining the
security of State frontiers. We condemn the murder of lranian diplomats and a journalist in
the Consulate General of the lslamic Republic of Iran in Mazar-e?Sharif by the Taliban forces
and note with disappointment the delay by the Taliban to ful?l its obligation, investigate, and
help to bring those responsible for this tragedy and for the killing of UN of?cials to justice.

142. We strongly condemn the continuing use of Afghan territory, especially areas controlled
by the Taliban, for the sheltering and training of terrorists and planning of terrorist acts, and
reaf?rm our conviction that the suppression of international terrorism is essential for the
maintenance of international peace and security. We insist that the Taliban cease the
provision of sanctuary and training for international terrorists and their organisations, take
effective measures to ensure that the territory under its control is not used for terrorist
installations and camps or for the preparation or organisation of terrorist acts against other
States or their citizens, and co-operate with efforts to bring indicted terrorists to justice.

 

 

 

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143. We are deeply disturbed also by a signi?cant increase in the cultivation, production and
traf?cking of drugs in Afghanistan, especially in areas controlled by the Taliban, which will
contribute to the war-making capabilities of the Afghans and will have even more serious
international consequences. We demand that the Taliban, as well as others, halt all illegal
drug activities. We call upon Member States, in particular those neighbouring Afghanistan,
and all others concerned to undertake concerted measures to stop the traf?cking of illegal
. drugs from Afghanistan.

South-East Asia

144. We recognise the important role of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in enhancing co-
operation in the wider Asia?Paci?c region. We also recognise the role of the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) in promoting political security dialogue and mutual con?dence among its
participants. We welcome the progress of ASEAN continuing efforts to realise the objective of
establishing a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in Southeast Asia (ZOPFAN) and the
convening of the ?rst meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-
Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ) in July 1999. We encourage all nuclear-weapon States to
extend their support and co-operation to the SEANWFZ Treaty, in July 1999 by acceding to
its Protocol. We consider the admission of Cambodia in ASEAN in July 1999 as a signi?cant
milestone in ASEAN ful?lment of its vision and making all the countries of the Southeast
Asian region as part of a single community. We welcome the commitment made by the
leaders of ASEAN and three countries in the North?East Asian region to enhance interaction
and establish linkages in order to increase opportunities for close co-operation and
collaboration with each other, thereby strengthening the elements essential for the promotion
of peace, stability and prosperity in the East Asian region.

145. We reiterate our call to solve all sovereignty and territorial disputes in the South China Sea
by peaceful means without resorting to force and/or threat to use force, and urge all parties to
exercise restraint with a view to creating a positive climate for the eventual resolution of all
contentious issues. We express concern over recent developments that may lead to a
deterioration of peace and stability in the region. in this context, we express support for the
principles contained in the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea, and stress the
need for the full implementation of such principles by all concerned. We express the hope that
all concerned would refrain from further actions that may undermine peace, stability, trust and
con?dence in the region, including possibly undermining freedom of navigation and aviation in
affected areas. We urge all claimants to address the issue in various bilateral and multilateral
fora and in this regard reiterate the signi?cance of promoting all types of con?dence building
measures among all parties. To this end, we recognise the positive contribution of the on?going
bilateral and multilateral consultations among the parties concerned at the intergovernmental
level, the extensive consultations at the Dialogue, including the consultations to
conclude a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea, the regular exchange of views in
the ARF, and the on-going informal Workshops on Managing Potential Con?icts in the South
China Sea and encourage their continuance. 

EUROPE
Cyprus

146. We reaf?rm all previous positions and declarations of the NAM on the question of Cyprus.
The Movement considers the present status quo in Cyprus, established through the use of force

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28

and sustained by military strength, as unacceptable and is deeply concerned over the lack of
progress in the search for a just and viable solution to this long-lasting question, primarily due to
Turkish intransigence. Efforts towards ?nding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem,
based on the implementation of all United Nations resolutions and NAM 's decisions on Cyprus,
in accordance with the principles and positions of the United Nations Charter and the rule of
lntemational law, must be intensi?ed. The Movement considers any attempt for a change of the
basis of the inter-communal dialogue held under the mandate of the Secretary-General, as
unacceptable. in this regard, the Movement welcomes the two recent rounds of proximity talks
held under UN auspices, following the invitation of the UN Secretary?General as called for by the
relevant Security Council resolutions. The Movement urges both sides to participate in the next
round of talks to be held in May, in a positive and constructive spirit in order to pave the way for
a solution to this long overdue problem.

Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean

147. On developments in the Mediterranean region, we reiterate our determination to
intensify the process of dialogue and consultations in the promotion of comprehensive and
equitable co-operation in the region towards resolving the problems existing in the
Mediterranean region, in the elimination of the causes of tension and the consequent threat
to peace and security. Respect for the right to self-determination, elimination of foreign
occupation and foreign bases and ?eets, non-interference in the internal affairs and respect
for the sovereignty of States are prerequisites for the establishment of peace and stability in
the Mediterranean region.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Cuba

148. We call upon the Government of the United States of America to put an end to the
economic, commercial and ?nancial embargo against Cuba which, in addition to being unilateral
and contrary to the UN Charter and lntemational Law, and to the principle of neighbourliness,
cause huge material losses and economic damage to the people of Cuba. We request once
again strict compliance with the resolutions 47/19, 48/16, 49/9, 50/10, 51/17, 52/10, 53/4, 54/21
of the United Nations General Assembly. We express deep concern over the widening of the
extra?territorial nature of the embargo against Cuba and over continuous new legislative
measure geared to intensifying it. We also urge the US Government to return the territory now
occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base to Cuban sovereignty and to put an end to aggressive
radio and TV transmission against Cuba.

Ecuador and Peru

149. We welcome the signi?cant progress accomplished by the Governments of Peru and
Ecuador in the implementation of the peace agreements signed in Brasilia, and call upon the
international community to continue to participate actively in the ?nancing of projects being
implemented by both countries, for the development of their border regions. VVIthin the same
context, we also welcome the recent signing of bilateral agreements by countries of the region,
which constitute a matter of signi?cant relevance within the current context of integration and
trust among the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean. These agreements contribute in a
meaningful way towards the strengthening of the rule of lntemational law and the consolidation
of a regional political scenario of peace, friendship, co?operation and development.

 

 

 

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Panama

150. We take note with satisfaction that the transfer of the Panama Canal from the United
States of America to Panama, as provided in the Panama Canal Treaty, was completed in
December 1999. We express our appreciation for the Panamanian people for this historic
achievement. We also note with satisfaction the measures by the Government of Panama for
the purpose of continuing to guarantee the ef?cient functioning of the Canal and its
uninterrupted use by ships of all nations. We recognise the importance of the peaceful and
secure use of the Canal to world commerce and navigation, and in that context, we underline
the importance of its policy of neutrality.

Belize-Guatemala

151. We recall that the Movement has closely followed the development in the Belize-
Guatemala territorial dispute and the Movement's consistent expressions of support to Belize
in this regard. We are mindful of the fundamental principles of the Movement, which uphold
respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. Aware of the
resumption of bilateral talks on this issue, we call on both parties to continue the process of
dialogue aimed at the early and peaceful resolution of their differences, in accordance with
the principles of international law.

Guyana and Venezuela

152. We take note of the firm commitment of Guyana and Venezuela to peacefully resolve
the controversy, which exists between them. In this regard, we fully support the parties in
their decision to continue to avail themselves of the good of?ces of the United Nations
Secretary-General and his Special Representative in order to reach a ?nal settlement as
called for by the Geneva Agreement of 1966. We welcome the initiative undertaken by the
two countries to enhance functional co-operation by the establishment in March 1999 of a
High-Level Bilateral Commission. 

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CHAPTER ECONOMIC ISSUES
Globalisation and interdependence

153. The emerging global economy continues to be characterised by rapid growth in ?ows of
trade, ?nance, information and technology, which has led to increased interdependence among
countries. Countries interact with the global economy from vastly different levels of development
and, accordingly, the impact of globalisation and liberalisation is highly uneven. While the
current trend has lead to increasing economic Opportunity for some developing economies, it is
evident that a large number of member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly in
Africa, continue to be marginalised and thus unable to fully share the bene?ts of these
processes. We are deeply concerned that most developing countries continue to face problems
of access to markets, capital and technology and many grapple with the structural
transformation necessary for practical and meaningful integration into the world economy. Since
the ability to exploit new opportunities depends on the economic, technological trade, industrial
and institutional capacities to enter the global markets, globalisation deepens the technological,
financial and productive gap between the developed and developing countries. Hence, we
strongly believe that the central focus of international development efforts should be in the
creation of an enabling intemationai environment where developing countries will be able to
acquire the requisite capacities to successfully compete and fully bene?t from globalisation.

154. We welcome the adoption of UNGA resolution 541231 on Globalisation and
Interdependence which reaf?rms the central role that the United Nations has to play in
promoting international co-operation for development in the context of globalisation and
interdependence, and strongly stress the need for a better and more effective collaboration
between the UN, the Bretton Woods Institutions and the World Trade Organisation, to promote
co-ordination on economic, ?nancial, technological trade and development issues at the global
level to help developing countries bene?t from this economic atmosphere. We emphasise that
the international trade and ?nancial institutions must take full account of the decisions by the UN
and to ensure that their policies do not run counter to developmental objectives of NAM and
other developing countries.

155. We reaf?rm the need to establish an open, rule?based, accountable, predictable, just,
equitable, comprehensive, development oriented and non-discriminatory global system of
economic relations, especially at a time when developing countries are actively engaged in the
process of liberalisation and integration into the global economy. We further stress that the
process of globalisation and any multilateral negotiations on agriculture must take fully into
account concerns and special needs, including those related to food security and rural
employment, of developing countries, which are large predominantly agrarian economies.

156. We are deeply concerned over the fact that developing countries are shouldering a
disproportionate share of the adjustment burden, taking into consideration the rapid changes
and transformations of the world economy. We are equally concerned that the gap between rich
and poor countries continues to widen. There is also a need for equity in international economic
relations to reverse the growing disparities between rich and poor, both among and within
countries through inter alia, the eradication of poverty, expansion of productive employment and
enhancement of social integration.

157. Noting the interdependence of nations and the varying levels of human development
world?wide, we stress the need for a New Global Human Order aimed at reversing the
growing disparities between rich and poor, both among and within countries through the

 

 

 

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alleviation of poverty, the expansion of productive employment and the promotion of social
integration.

158. The empirical record shows, among others, that the income gap between developed and
developing countries has widened. Even those countries, which seem to have well to
globalisation were most seriously affected by the Asian ?nancial crises. It is clear that there is
no automatic process by which income levels of developing countries will converge to those
of developed nations. The challenge before the international community is to ensure that
globalisation should take into account the development dimension.

159. We note that growth in some developing countries is contributing signi?cantly to the
locomotive forces of world economic growth and thus the process of global integration of
developing countries is paying dividends to the industrialised countries as well. However, we
regret that the voice of developing countries in decision-making still does not realistically
reflect their emergence as important actors in the world economy. We therefore urge
developed countries to give this cumulative contribution and role meaningful and
commensurate recognition. The participation of developing countries in global economic
decision-making, particularly in the international ?nancial institutions, as well as in trade and
other economic areas, should thus be enhanced. We reaf?rm the need for such
democratisation and transparency in international economic and ?nancial decision-making in
all fora and at all levels, with the full participation of developing countries so as to ensure that
their development interests would be ?nally taken into account. Beginning of a new century
represents an opportunity to establish a process which will focus on reforming international
decision-making and mechanisms on monetary, ?nancial and trade issues, in order to make
them more responsive to the needs of developing countries. NAM will look forward to that
process and proposals to that end should be developed and studied. in this regard, we
underline the need for the development of proposals by Members of the Movement.

160. We note the global trends in mergers and acquisitions of transnational companies, and
are concerned they could lead to a situation of oligopolies, which may also end up as
monopolies, with adverse implications for global producers and consumers, including its
adverse impact on developing countries, local industries and companies.

Revitalising international Co-operation for Development

161. The reactivation and strengthening of international co-operation for development is
necessary in order to facilitate an increased participation by developing countries in the world
economy on terms, which are bene?cial to them and promote their developmental efforts. In
this context, we call for a renewed emphasis on technical assistance in the development co-
operation programmes of the UN system, including specialised international agencies. There
is also a need for more effective and enhanced participation in the world economy by developing
countries, notably in the international and economic decisions and rule-making. in this regard,
the accession of developing countries applying for membership to the WTO should be facilitated
without linking it to any political and/or economic considerations with a view to ensuring 
universality as well as its non-discriminatory character. We reaf?rm the need for developing
countries to have result-oriented consultations among themselves to promote more effective
participation in 

162. We emphasise that the achievement of the objectives of poverty eradication, economic and
social progress, sustained economic growth and sustainable development depends on a more
favourable and dynamic international economic environment and revitalised international

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development co-operation supportive of developing countries? efforts. While subscribing to the
values of environmental protection, labour standards, intellectual property protection, sound
macro-economic management and promotion and protection of all human rights, we totally
reject all attempts to use these issues as conditionalities and pretexts for restricting market
access or aid and technology flows to devel0ping countries or linking them to the multilateral
trade negotiations.

163. We express concern at the continuing decline in the availability of core resources to UN
funds and programmes, especiaily UNDP and UNFPA, and underline that in the area of
development assistance provision of new and additional ?nancial resources provided by
developed countries taking into account the needs and priorities of the developing countries,
without any conditionality and fully respecting the fundamental characteristics of the UN
operational activities, is an imperative.

164. We are concerned over the evident lack of political will on the part of developed
countries to revitalise international co-operation for development. We are convinced that ODA
continues to constitute an important source of ?nancial ?ows for many developing countries,
particularly LDCs. in this context, we are deeply concerned over the continued decline of the
of?cial development assistance and call on the developed countries to ensure the ful?lment of
their commitment to meet the United Nations target of 0.7% of their GNP as of?cial
development assistance for all the developing countries latest by the end of the ?rst decade
of the twenty ?rst century, as well as to meet the UN target of 0.15% of their GNP to LDCs as
soon as possible.

165. We also emphasise the importance of dialogue on strengthening international co-operation
for development through partnership based on the mutuality of interests and bene?ts, common
but differentiated responsibilities and genuine interdependence. We strongly believe that the
dialogue should serve as a useful forum to discuss emerging global issues to strengthen
international co-operation for development through genuine partnership. We underscore the
need for active participation of the members of the Movement in the process leading to the next
dialogue to be held in the year 2001 which theme will be ?Responding to the challenges of
globalisation: facilitating the integration of developing countries into the world economy in the
twenty??rst century? according with GA resolution 54/213.

166. We recognise the right of all States to determine freely their own political, economic and
social system. We condemn the continued application by certain countries of extra-territorial
measures and legislation, and their imposition of unilateral coercive economic measures
against certain developing countries, and reaffirm that no state may use or encourage the use
of economic, political or any other type of measures to coerce another state, including thorough
non-extension of MFN status. We call on all states not to recognise the unilateral, extra-
territorial laws enacted by certain countries which impose sanctions on companies and
individuals belonging to other countries, since these measures and legislation threaten the
sovereignty of states, adversely affect their social and economic development, marginalize
developing countries from the process of globalisation, and are contrary to international law,
the principles and purposes of UN Charter, the norms and principles governing peaceful
relations among states, and agreed principles of the multilateral trading system.

167. We underline the need for strong political commitment by the international community
for the successful implementation of the Agenda for Development. There is also a need to
mobilise suf?cient resources for its implementation so that it can contribute effectively to
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imbalances in the world economy. We urge the UNGA to undertake through appropriate
mechanisms the follow-up and assessment of the implementation of the Agenda for
Development.

168. We are concerned over the lack of implementation of the outcomes of the major United
Nations conferences and summits, due mainly to the failure of the developed countries to
ful?l their commitments for new and additional resources, the transfer of knowledge and
technology to developing countries as well as enhanced access to the markets of the
developed countries. We call upon countries implement their commitments undertaken and to
make tangible progress towards the achievement of the targets, goals and objectives set by
the UN conferences and summits.

169. The contribution of transnational corporations to the sustained economic growth
and sustainable development is determined by their global strategies characterised by the
search of increased competitiveness and ever-higher pro?ts. Such a situation is not
necessarily consistent with job creation and the realisation of development objectives in many
developing countries. Hence, we invite the relevant international institutions to address this
dilemma with a view to reaching the right balance between both objectives. In this context,
we request UNCTAD and ILO, with in their respective mandates, to study the merger trend
among the TNCs and its impact on unemployment as well as its competitiveness impact on
small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. We emphasise the need for
the integration of the development objectives of the host countries in the business strategies
of TNCs.

International Trade

170. We welcome the adoption of the UNCTAD Plan of Action during its Tenth session held
in Bangkok, Thailand on 12?19 February 2000. In this regard, we reiterate the important role
that UNCTAD has to play in helping developing countries to integrate into the world economy
through analysis, consensus building and technical co-operation in areas of special interest
such as investment, enterprise development and technology, trade in goods and services, in
particular commodities, and services infrastructure for development and trade ef?ciency.

171,. We urge UNCTAD to work towards the effective implementation of the Plan of Action
and call upon UNCTAD and other international organisations to co-operate and work closely
to achieve all the objectives contained in the Plan of Action.

172. The failure of the Third Ministerial Conference of the WTO held in Seattle, USA, on 30
November to 3 December 1999 is a clear signal that transparency in negotiations and the
effective participation, particularly of developing countries, is an essential pre-requisite for any
successful outcome. it is also a clear signal that much more work is needed to uphold and
strengthen an open, rule-based, equitable, secure, non-discriminatory, transparent and
predictable multilateral trade system, as also to review and assess the implementation of
existing agreements. in this regard, ?we believe that future negotiations on international trade
should:

- Facilitate the integration of developing countries particularly small economies and Least
Developed Countries into the trading system and provide assistance in capacity building to
developing countries.

 

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. Ensure urgent implementation of Umguay Round Agreements, especially in areas of export
interest to developing countries, including the agricultural, textile and clothing sectors, and
decisions taken in favour of LDC's, as provided for in the Marrakesh Ministerial Declaration.

. Ensure preservation, for a transitional period of existing preferential trade arrangements with
developed countries from which a signi?cant number of developing and least developed
countries bene?t.

0 Ensure that the preferences granted by developed countries under their GSP schemes
will be based on the principles of non-discrimination and non-reciprocity and be
continually expanded to cover products that correspond to the actual and potential export
supply capabilities of developing countries.

. Ensure ?exibility for developing countries to implement measures to enhance export and
productive capacity.

. Ensure that ongoing negotiations on trade and services provided the most sustainable
and effective conditions for these service sectors where developing countries have
comparative advantages. In this respect the key issue of movement of natural persons
should be addressed adequately.

173. We emphasise that the imbalance and asymmetries that have been apparent in the
course of implementation of the WTO Agreements be urgently addressed. These include the
lack of full and faithful implementation of existing obligations by developed countries in the
area of textiles and agriculture, lack of market access for products of special interest to
developing countries, non-realisation of the provisions for special and differential treatment,
and the curtailment of developing countries' ability to pursue policy instruments that promote
development. Further negotiations must ensure that these implementation issues are
addressed and that the negotiations result in equitable bene?ts for all countries. There
should also be an extension in the implementation periods of certain Agreements where the
developing countries face particular problems, especially the TRIPS and the TRIMS
Agreements.

174. We are seriously concerned over the disturbing tendencies of developed countries to
link further liberalisation in already agreed areas with concessions from developing countries
to liberalise areas of interest to them. We are also concerned that trading opportunities for
developing countries were neutralised by the use of protectionist measures by the developed
countries, such as misuse of antidumping and other provisions including those taken
unilaterally and in the guise of technical standards, environmental, social and environmental
or human rights related ccncems. We unequivocally reaf?rm that non-trade issues, such as
social and environmental issues, should not be introduced in the agenda of the WTO.

175. We reiterate that low wages and environmental standards in developing countries are not
responsible for the loss of jobs in developed countries, which should address their
unemployment through the implementation of appropriate macro-economic and structural
policies.

178. We reaf?rm that the is the only international body competent to set and deal with
labour standards. We also reiterate that there is no linkage between trade and labour standards
and reject all attempts teemiblish such a linkage as well as the use of labour standards as a

 

 

 

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pretext for unilateral action in the ?eld of trade. While we remain committed to promoting all
relevant labour standards, we ?rmly reject its use for political or protectionist purposes.

177. Recognising that trade, investment and technology continue to be the key elements for
economic development, we also call for further liberalisation and increased access for the
products and services where developing countries have a comparative advantage including
movement of natural persons, and access to transfer of technology on preferential and
concessional terms. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of GA resolution 541198 on Trade
and Development, which emphasises all these important issues. We call for the urgent
operationalisation and full implementation of the provisions of special and differential treatment
in favour of developing countries and their further strengthening. We invite UNCTAD to continue
its substantive work in this area and elaborate on issues of importance to developing countries.

178. We welcome the conclusions of negotiations in February 2000 of a New Partnership
Agreement between ACP and EU and we have noted that both parties have submitted a
request for a WTO waiver for a period of 8 years to enable the EU to continue to provide trade
preferences to the ACP. We reaf?rm our support to the WTO waiver in order to allow the
continuation of preferential trade arrangements during the 8 years preparatory period.

179. in the spirit of fostering North-South relations we underline the necessity for developed
countries to eliminate laws and regulations with adverse extra-territorial effects and other forms
of unilateral economic coercive measures, inconsistent with the principles of international laws,
UN Charter and the principles of the multilateral trading systems.

Financial, Investment and Monetary Issues

180. We welcome the adoption of UNGA resolution 541196 that decided to convene in 2001 a
high level intergovernmental event on ?nancing for development. The intergovernmental
event should address the international and systemic issues regarding ?nancing for
development in a holistic manner. We believe that this event will offer a good Opportunity for
developing countries to discuss with the different ?nancial institutions and developed
countries what our development needs really are and how do we want them to help us solve
them. We recognise the need to hold the Conference at the highest level in order to ensure
greater political commitment to ?nancing of development. We also recognise the importance
of an early decision on the venue and timing of the meeting in ensuring high-level
participation and in this regard underline the need for further efforts to facilitate the decision.
We appreciate the decision of the World Bank to actively participate in the preparatory
process and encourage the international Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation to
do the same. We welcome the decision of all relevant stakeholders, including the private
sector to actively participate in the preparatory process.

181. In the wake of recent ?nancial and economic crises adversely affecting a number of
developing countries, we again underline the need for speci?c regulatory framework for the
?nancial and exchange markets against international speculative activities. Whilst reiterating the
call for an increase in FDI into develOping countries, it is essential to ensure the transparency of
the capital flows of private sectors with a view to strengthening the early warning system and
improving crisis management to mitigate the possible adverse impact of such ?nancial crises in

the future. The international ?nancial system should create and enhance mechanisms, .

including surveiilance mechanisms, technical assistance and adequate information facilities,
so as to prevent such crises and neutralise their adverse impact and recommend ways to
discourage speculative capital flows. We call upon the developed countries to increase their

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?nancial contribution to the international ?nancial institutions and to approve the increase in
SDRs in the MP, in order to improve the international liquidity and to enhance their ability to
respond to cn'sis. The increasing level of private and non-transparent international ?nancial flows
calls for the reform of the international ?nancial architecture, which will lead to a truly democratic
and fair international ?nancial system that will ensure the effective and full participation of the
developing countries in the management of the international economy.

182. We reiterate the need for a stable, adequately ?nanced international ?nancial system
that allows our economies to respond adequately to the challenges of development. In this
regard, it is imperative to improve the capabilities of early warning, prevention and response
of the intemational ?nancial system to deal with ?nancial crisis in a timely manner. The
experience from the Asian ?nancial crisis has also shown that excessive volatility in short?
term capital ?ows and speculation in currency are among factors contributing to the instability
of international ?nance. Thus, there is a need to consider the establishment of appropriate
regulatory frameworks for short-tent: capital ?ows in order to prevent abuse of ?nancial
instruments and institutions such as hedge funds and high leverage institutions. There is also
a need to establish coherent policies at national and international level to minimise the
negative impacts of excessive volatility of short-term capital flows.

183. We urge developed countries to undertake necessary structural adjustments in their
economies and refrain from protectionist tendencies against competitive imports from
developing countries especially in the textile, clothing and agricultural sectors and against
FDI out?ows to them, in the interest of new growth opportunities. in addition, we call for the
increased technical assistance from developed countries to developing countries, especially
for those countries that have adversely been affected by the ?nancial and economic crisis.

184. We call upon the Bretton Woods Institutions not to link their credit facilities with non-
economic issues particularly security matters. We emphasise that these institutions should
resist efforts by certain countries to use them to promote their narrow interests. These
institutions should extend their maximum help to developing countries facing serious iiquidity
problems.

External Debt

185. We welcome the G-8 Cologne Debt Initiative on HIPC as a movement in the right
direction. While recognising the advancements made on measures towards the relief of
external debt of developing countries, we underscore the need to strengthen these
measures. We urge the to explore new sources or mechanisms for funding debt relief
measures. Developed countries must provide the necessary ?nancial contributions for debt
reiief, including the necessary resources to ?nance the Enhanced Structural Adjustment
Facility. We also urge creditor countries to facilitate the implementation of the HIPC for debt
reduction, by broadening the number of eligible countries and making the established
conditions more ?exible. In this context. there is also a need to take decisive steps aimed at
substantially reducing of?cial bilateral debts through their cancellation or writing off through
provision of additional resources by the developed countries, without impacting on the credit-
worthiness of the lending institutions. We call for the immediate elimination of all political
measures prohibiting access of some developing countries to the resources of the
international ?nancial institutions by certain developed countries.

186. We weicome the initiative by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) taken at its lV
Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State or Government (held in Sirte, Libya)

 

 

 

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in the Sirte Declaration of September 9, 1999, through its Contact Group on Africa?s External
Debt, to fully address the issue of Africa?s external indebtedness, with a view to securing its
total cancellation as a matter of urgency. In this regard, we urge the Group of 8 lndustrialised
Countries, at their next summit in Okinawa, Japan, to ensure a lasting solution to Africa?s
indebtedness by responding positively to this initiative. 

187. We also emphasise the need for a durable solution of the indebtedness of developing
countries including middle-income countries, which is seriously crippling their sustained
economic growth and sustainable development. While a number of measures and policies in
the past including rescheduling have been helpful in alleviating the immediate situation, they
have not achieved a durable solution. We particularly recognise the economic and social
costs being incurred by the middle?income deveIOping countries because of their external
debt servicing obligations. Thus, in any such discussion on debt of developing countries
including middle?income countries, the "once and for all" debt reduction policy arrangements
should be seriously considered so as to speed up the release of ?nancial resources for
development particularly for the countries, which are honouring their debt repayment
commitments in the face of acute economic dif?culties. The solutions would also require new
initiatives to facilitate their development. We urge the intensi?cation of measures on the write-
off of debt to promote development investments in accordance with the priorities and needs
of developing countries. We also recognise the tremendous dif?culties and problems faced by
low income countries which have serviced their debt obligations at high costs to themselves
and urge the international community to take the situation of low income countries into
account in any comprehensive package of measures to resolve the external debt problems of
developing countries.

Environment and Development

188. We reiterate our full support to UNEP and call for its strengthening as a unique intemationai
organisation entrusted with the mandate to make analysis of the environmental problems in
order to ful?l the goal of renewing international commitments for the implementation of Agenda
21 and other agreements at the Earth Summit and subsequent meetings and promote technical
co-operation.

189. We stress the need for UNEP and UNCHS to increase their co-operation and co?ordination
among their activities, within the framework of their respective mandates and separate
programmatic and organisational identities, as well as their separate Executive Directors. We
also stress that capacity?building and technical assistance must remain important components
of the work programmes of both UNEP and UNCHS.

190. We recognise the ongoing efforts of developing countries for the realisation of the goats of
sustainable development. At the same time, we continue to be deeply concerned about the lack
of ful?lment of the international commitments undertaken by the developed countries at the Rio
Earth Summit. We call for urgent ful?lment of commitments for the provision of ?nancial
resources, technical assistance and transfer of environmentally sound technology, including
time bound commitments, as appropriate, to developing countries. In this context, we are
disappointed at the non-ful?lment of commitments, as agreed at the Special Session of the
General Assembly in 1997.

191. We call on the UN General Assembly for the early establishment of an open-ended,
intergovernmental preparatory process for Rio+10 that ensures the effective participation of all
developing countries, particularly Members of NAM, and in this context acknowledge South

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African offer to host the Conference.

192. We emphasise the central role that the Commission on Sustainable Development plays in
reviewing the implementation of Agenda 21 and in promoting sustainable develOpment. In this
regard, we call on to all NAM members for an active participation in the high-level policy debate
of the CSD meetings, particularly, during the next session that will discuss issues of primarily
importance for developing countries such as agriculture and land management, economic
growth, trade and investment. We also look forward to the initial discussions for the review of
Rio 10 which will take place during the CSD-8.

193. In this context, we emphasise that the review process should be action oriented and should
reactivate the global community's support for sustainable development and sustained economic
growth. There should be a balance in addressing the sectoral and cross-sectoral issues of
Agenda 21. The review process should provide appropriate solutions to the obstacles and
problems being faced by developing countries in the implementation of Agenda 21.

194. We reiterate our concern at the increasing number and scale of natural disasters, which
have resulted in massive losses of live and long?tenn negative social, economic and
environmental consequences for vulnerable societies world-wide, in particular in developing
countries. In this regard, we express our full support for UNGA resolution 54f219 and call upon
States and relevant intergovernmental bodies in order to translate the Yokohama Strategy for a
safer world into concrete disaster reduction programmes and activities.

195. We welcome the adeption of UNGA resolution 54/220, on the international co-operation to
reduce the impact of El Ni?o Phenomenon, and call upon the international community to
contribute to its full implementation.

196. We reaf?rm that economic and social development constitutes a priority and a fundamental
right of countries. Sustainable development, therefore, must be considered within the wider
context of sustained economic growth. States have the sovereign right to exploit resources in
accordance with their own environmental and development policies.

197. We emphasise further the principle of the permanent sovereign of people?s under foreign
occupation over their natural resources.

198. We stress that the new and additional ?nancial resources to developing countries have not
been provided, the transfer of environmentally sound technologies of favourable, concessional
and preferential terms has not been realised, and that the developed countries have not

assumed and performed practical commitment to the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities.

199. We once again call for the democratisation of the GEF, for transparency in its decision?
making processes and for co-ordination between the implementing agencies of the GEF to be
strengthened. We commit ourselves to continue reinforcing the developing countries? joint
participation in the GEF to safeguard their common interests, both in the orientation of its
policies as well as in the ?nancial allocation of resources.

200. We welcome the adaption of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety by the Conference of
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. We invite all Govemments to considering
taking the necessary steps to make possible the entry into force of this important intemational
instrument as soon as possible, and help developing countries through capacity?building and

 

 

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other co-operation mechanisms in the relevant areas of the Protocol.

201. We underline that, in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity, technology
transfer and theefforts aimed at establishing an international system for the protection of
intellectual property rights, including those related to goods and processes, should guarantee an
equitable distribution of bene?ts arising from the use of genetic resources. We will work to
ensure that proprietary patents are developed only after obtaining the prior informed consent of
the developing countries concerned, after reaching agreement on bene?t sharing, to ensure a
?ow back on bene?ts from patentees to original developers. We also underscore that the rules
and habits of local communities must be respected and incorporated into the intellectual
property rights' norms.

202. We emphasise the importance of biodiversity as strategic wealth of the developing
countries, on account of both at present and potential value and agree that its adequate
management and conservation are essential for sustainable development, especially in the most
important areas of national economies such as forests' utilisation, agriculture, ?shing, wildlife
management, health, industry and tourism.

203. We recall the legally binding commitments for the parties to the Framework Convention on
Climate Change to reduce their emission of Greenhouse Gases as contained in Annex of the
Kyoto Protocol. We call on the developed countries to undertake necessary and immediate
steps to implement these commitments particularly through domestic action. Emission trading
for implementation of such commitments can only commence after issues relating to the
principles and modalities of such trading, including initial allocations of emission entitlement on
an equitable basis to all countries, has been agreed upon by the Parties to the Convention.

204. We encourage the VI COP of the to adopt the rules and modalities for the
implementation of the clean development mechanism. We categorically reject all attempts by
some developed countries to link their rati?cation of the Kyoto Protocol with the question of
participation by developing countries in the reduction of GHG emissions, taking into account that
the creation of a clean development mechanism implies the possibility for industrialised
countries to reduce signi?cantly the cost of emissions reductions within their own boundaries.
We also call for immediate measures to provide the developing countries with necessary
?nancial resources and clean technology to enable them to meet their commitments under the
Framework Convention on Climate Change, including inter alia, inventorisation of national
emissions and dissemination of knowledge of climate change.

205. We urge developed countries to implement effective measures, to cope with their
commitments in terms of the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases in their own territories
and highlight the need to avoid so called ?exibility mechanisms enabling those countries to
elude the ful?lment of their commitments.

206. We acknowledge that the depletion of the ozone layer poses a serious threat to the whole
world. We urge Parties to the Montreal Protocol to comply with its requirements and to phase
out the production and consumption of regulated ozone depleting substances s) in
accordance with the phase out schedules agreed to by countries in terms of the Protocol. We
also urge Parties to the Protocol to provide technical and ?nancial assistance to affected
producers in developing countries in compliance with the requirements of the Protocol.

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Food security

207. We reaffirm that the right to food is a fundamental human right and its promotion
constitutes a moral imperative for the international community. We emphatically reject the
use of food as an instrument of economic or political pressure.

208. We express our concern over the large number of people, in particular children who
suffer from hunger and malnutrition. We emphasise the need to take urgent action to meet
the commitments for achieving food security for present and future generations, taking full
account of the priorities and objectives set out in the World Food Summit of 1996.

209. We note that in spite of the advance made by the Uruguay Round, the Accords on
Agriculture will lead only to partial trade liberalisation, and serious distortions will persist in
the agricultural commodity markets even after their full implementation. We express our deep
concern about the negative effects of this Accord on the developing countries, particularly the
and the net food importing countries. We strongly believe that these concerns should
be given due priority in the course of the ongoing agriculture negotiations within the MO.
Accordingly, we consider necessary to undertake studies on the impact of the new
multilateral trading system on food supply and its possible consequences on food security,
particularly in developing countries. We further call for incorporating the agriculture sector
within normal WTO rules, addressing the particular problems of predominantly agrarian
economies, small islands developing economies and net food importing developing countries.

Science and Technology

210. We underline that progress of developing countries is dependent both on access to
technology and on their endogenous capacity to develop it. We express grave concern over
measures aimed at blocking or impeding, for political or other ends, particularly through
coercive economic measures, the transfer of technology to developing countries. The
controls imposed by highly industrialised countries on the export of dual use technology and
other types of sensitive technology should not be used to prevent the access of developing
countries to technology for peaceful, developmental purposes. We stress that endogenous
capacity building in Science and Technology in developing countries should remain a priority
issue in the UN Agenda.

211. We emphasise the need for fonnuiating proposals to ensure that the Trade Related
intellectual Property Rights (T RIPS) Agreements promote the development of developing
countries. In this context, we underline the need for exploring the possibility for the formulation of
a Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all countries for the access to and transfer of
technologies on concessional and preferential terms from developed countries to developing
countries.

212. We also underscore the urgent necessity for the international community to address the
tonne of access on which technology is made available to developing countries. We emphasise
the need for urgent operationalisation of commitments to transfer technology to developing
countries on concessional and affordable terms. We also call for transfer of environmentally
sound technologies on affordable terms where such technologies and production methods have
been mandated under national laws and international regulations.

213. We welcome the continued implementation of the expanded Program of Cooperation by
the Centre for Science and Technology of Non-Aligned Movement Countries and call upon all

 

 



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Non-Aligned and other developing countries to subscribe to the Statute of the Centre and to
strengthen the Centre ?nancially.

214. We urge member states to pay particular attention to the implementation of decisions taken
at the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
held in Vienna from 19 to 30 July 1999. In this regard, we welcome UNGA
Resolution 54/68 that takes note of the outcomes of this Conference and their implementation.
Of special importance here are the voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for the purpose of
implementing the recommendations of UNISPACE ll l. Particular attention should also be paid to
the equitable and preferential access by developing countries to the new technologies and to the
strengthening of their capabilities to use the applications of space research for economic, social
and cultural development.

lnforrnation and Communication

215. We underline that Non-Aligned Countries should intensify the development of
communication technology as a means of redressing the continued imbalances and
inequalities between developed and developing countries in the ?eld of information and
communication.

216. We urge Member Countries to enhance the functioning of the Non-Aligned News
_Agency Pool (NANAP) and the Broadcasting Organisation of Non-Aligned Countries
(BONAC) and accelerating the process of setting up the New International Information
Centres of the Non?Aligned Movement.

217. We express our concern over the increasing use of defamation and distortion of
information by some mass media of developed countries, such as Radio Free Asia and Radio
Marti, to destabilise the governments of Non-Aligned and other developing countries and
called for an immediate end to such acts.

218. We express our concern over the undisguised attempts of some countries to eliminate
the concept of a new equitable world information and communication order and stressed that
the establishment of a new world information and communication order aimed at ensuring
impartiality and balance In the information flow.

219. We call for the convening of the Sixth Conference of Ministers of information and
Communication of the Non?Aligned Movement at the earliest possibie, in
accordance with decision of the COMINAC-V, held in Abuja in September 1996.

220. We call on Member States to participate actively in the Film Festival of the Non-
Aligned and Other Developing Countries to be held in Pyongyang, Democratic People?s
Republic of Korea, 13 21 September 2000, following the decision of the Summit of the
Non-Aligned Countries to promote co?operation among Member States in the ?eld of culture.

221. We express our concern the widening gap in information and technology between the
developed and developing countries, particularly LDCs. While some developing countries
have made important advances in this area, most developing countries are still a long way
from being part of this unfolding technological revolution, particularly in pharmaceuticals,
biotechnology, information and communication technologies. We reaf?rm the need for the
developed countries to show political commitment by promoting an enabling environment to
narrow and close the digital, technological and information divide between the developed and

 

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42

developing countries, by strengthening, inter alia, the, intellectual capital and resource base of
developing countries, and providing access to transfer of technology and know-how.

South-South Co-operatioh

222. We are committed to further strengthening South?South Co-operation. In this context, we
emphasise the importance of appropriate strategies and mechanisms, for promoting,
accelerated economic growth and development and self-reliance, giving a greater dynamism to
the world economy, and promoting the restructuring of the international economic relations.
Developing countries should accelerate the establishment of new South-South relations by
broadening and intensifying South-South Co?operation. Drawing on the successes and
experiences made in the South-South Co?operation so far, we should orchestrate the strategies
for South-South Co-operation suited to a new situation and continue to initiate new projects,
including those in social and economic ?elds in order to ensure effective participation in the
international economy.

223. We emphasise the urgent need to continue examining the modalities as well as the
means of implementation of the various proposals contained in the ?nal document of the XII
NAM Summit, especially those concerning the establishment of a monetary fund, commodity
fund and a fund for social and economic development.

224. We reiterate that South?South Co?operation is an essential mechanism for promoting the
sustainable economic self-support and in bolstering new South-South relations by broadening
and intensifying economic cooperation among developing countries.

225. We stress the need to broaden and deepen South?South Co?operation through enhanced
regional and sub-regional co-operation, pooling of resources, strengthening our effectiveness in
multilateral processes and organisations. We also stress the need to broaden and deepen
South?South Co?operation efforts in respect of international trade, economic and development
issues, as well as through the sharing of relevant expertise and experiences to increase the
productivity and competitiveness of our economies.

226. We welcome the convening of the South Summit that will take place in Havana, Cuba from
10 to 14 April of this year. This will be the perfect fora for strengthening south-south relations
and for establishing a working plan of action that continues to broaden the co-operation among
our countries and that provide us with new impetus for the North-South dialogue. We call on all
countries and organisations of the South to give their full support to the South Summit and to
ensure its successful outcome.

227. We stress the need to intensify the process of strengthening the various inter-regional
dialogues and the exchange of experiences among regional and sub-regional economic
groupings for the purposes of expanding South-South Co?operation through integrating the
modalities of economic and technical co-operation among developing countries.

228. We take note of the important and positive co-ordination of work of the Non-Aligned
Movement and the Group of 77 through the Joint Co-ordinating Committee (JCC) in the
promotion and defence of the common interests of the developing countries and agree that
they should jointly sponsor draft resolutions as appropriate based on past practice, in future
sessions of the General Assembly.

 

 

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229. We call upon the NAM Members and other developing countries and developed
countries as well as international organisations to extend support to the NAM Centre for
South-South Technical Co-operation in Jakarta by contributing to the future programmes and
activities. Furthermore, we appeal to all NAM Member States to maximise the utilisation of
the Centre as one of the vital and effective means for promoting and accelerating technical
co-operation for the enhancement of the people-centred development and capitalisation of
local resources through interaction among development sectors in partnership in
development.

Critical Economic Situation in Africa

230. The socio-economic situation in Africa remains precarious despite many efforts made by
African countries, individually and collectively, to lay a solid foundation for Africa's development.
in the context of globalisation and liberalisation, we are ccncemed that the decline in ODA ?ows
to Africa will increase the marginalization of the continent in the global economy. We are also
deeply ccncemed that FDI ?ows to Africa account for a mere 2% of the total FDI flows to
developing countries. respect, we continue to call for the reversal of this negative trend.
Furthermore, the FDI can only complement concessional ?nance and not replace it.

231. We lend our unequivocal support to the efforts of African countries to realise the objectives
of Africa's Renaissance which are underpinned by collective self-reliance, agrarian reform,
industrialisation, human resources. development, social development, diversi?cation of African
economies and increase in both employment and income levels. We further welcome the
growing trend in Africa towards regional and sub-regional economic and political co-operation
and integration.

232. In this regard, we welcome the convening in Cairo on 3 and 4 April 2000 of the first
Africa-Europe Summit under the aegis of the OAU and the EU.

Least Developed Countries

233. We are deeply concerned over the continuing declining rate of economic growth of the
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as a group, with no sign of change in this trend, in spite of
the broad structural and economic reform measures undertaken by them. The problems of the
shrinking aid levels, the continuing decline in ODA, and Foreign Direct Investment, the heavy
debt burden, lack of market access, supply side constraints and a decline in commodity prices
hinder the growth of LDCs. We note that whilst the debt burden for the continues to
increase considerably, the ?ow of Foreign Direct Investment remains insigni?cant.

234. In view of the negative impact on the economic growth of the 3 resulting from the fall
in ODA, we call upon all donor countries to live up to their commitments to achieve the
internationally agreed ODA target of 0.15% of their GNP to the and to endeavour to
reach the target of 0.20% of their GNP by the year 2000. We further ask the developed
countries to implement effective measures to provide easy access to their market for the
products of and also write-off their debt in order to enable them to strengthen their ability
to develop. Given the ovenNhelming dependence of the on external assistance for their
capacity building, establishment of basic institutional infrastructure and strengthening of potential
to attract foreign direct investment, the uninterrupted and promised level of ?ow of ODA is
essential to economic growth.

 

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Land-Locked Developing Countries

235. Noting the additional costs incurred by land-locked developing countries in developing
their import and export markets, we call on the international community to give special
attention and support to the special development problems and needs of these countries,
particularly through technical co-operation with and ?nancial assistance by developed
countries and multilateral ?nancial institutions to enable these countries to effectively
participate in a rapidly globalising world economy.

236. We note that transit developing countries face serious economic problems and that their
efforts at developing a viable transit infrastructure also need ?nancial and technical from the
international community. We note that in some cases regional integration and co?operation
efforts have also provided additional solutions to the speci?c problems confronting Iand~
locked countries.

Small Island Developing States

237. We welcome the outcome of the twenty?second Special Session of the General Assembly
held on 27 and 28 September 1999 to review and appraise the implementation of the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
(SIDS).

238. While reaf?rming our full support for the system-wide implementation of the Programme
of Action for the Sustainable Development of we recognise the efforts made by SIDS
to implement the Programme of Action. In this regard, we note with concern that the support of
the international community has been affected by ?nancial and other resource constraints and
by global economic and environmental factors.

239. We reaf?rm the need for the provision of adequate, predictable, new and additional
?nancial resources, transfer of environmentally sound technologies on concessional and
preferential terms, and the promotion of non-discriminatory trading arrangements and we urge
all countries, in particular, developed countries to ful?l the commitments contained in the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS.

 

 




 

CHAPTER IV: SOCIAL ISSUES
Social Development

240. We express our commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Copenhagen
Declaration and Program of Action and in this regard, look forward to the review of the
implementation of the outcome of the Social Summit in June 2000. The international community
must maintain the momentum generated by the Social Summit geared at the eradication of
poverty, the generation of full employment, and promotion and achievement of social integration
and the attainment of broad social development, while taking action to mitigate those aspects of
globalisation, which impact negatively in our economies.

Poverty Eradication

241. We stress that the eradication of poverty through sustained and accelerated economic
growth continues to remain the overriding priority for developing countries. In this context, we
stress the need for a supportive international economic and ?nancial environment to address
long-term problems of poverty and underdevelopment and reaf?rm the need to facilitate the
efforts for the eradication of poverty and the improvement of the well being of our people. We
also stress the need for a holistic approach and gender mainstreaming in this regard. We
further encourage exchange of experiences among Non-Aligned Movement Members and
other developing countries on poverty eradication, strategies and programmes with a View to
enhancing capacity in dealing with poverty issues. We welcome the initiative launched by
HE. Mr. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of the Republic of Tunisia, for the creation of a
World Solidarity Fund. In this regard, we take note of the endorsement of this initiative by the
71St Session of the OAU Ministerial Council, held in Addis Ababa, in March 2000 and
encourage efforts by Member States towards its establishment.

242. We reaf?rm the importance of health as indispensable resource for sustainable
development, and in this regard, we are deeply concerned that tuberculosis,
malaria and other communicable diseases continue to threaten the achievement of economic
and developmental goals of developing countries. We welcome in this regard, efforts by the
UN Secretary-General to put the issue of on the international agenda. We urge the
international community including the World Health Organisation, to make greater efforts in
the ?ght against and in facilitating access to safe and affordable essential medicines
aimed at eradicating this scourge and other communicable diseases.

Population and Development

243. We welcome the successful outcome of the Special Session of the UN General
Assembly held in July 1999 on the Review of the Implementation of the Cairo Programme of
Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and urge the
international community to intensify its efforts to achieve the goals of the programme through,
inter alia, increasing ?nancial resource mobilisation.


244. We express our concern for the high-level of illiteracy in many NAM Countries. Though

recognising that this issue should be primarily dealt with within the framework of domestic
policies, effort Should be made to reduce the level of illiteracy in NAM Countries through the

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promotion of South~South Co-operation, education being one of the conditions for genuine
development, greater consideration should be given to this issue in international fora.

International Migration and Development

245. We reiterate our cail on member countries of the Movement and the international
community to work towards the effective respect for the human dignity and well being of
migrants, international norms and full compliance with relevant international instruments. We
express our concern over the emergence of stringent immigration policies in various developed
countries, which severely restrict the free movement of people and breed xenophobia. We also
express deep concern over new immigration laws and regulations recently by some developed
countries, which could lead to massive deportations of immigrants from Non-Aligned Countries
and other developing countries in violation of their fundamental human rights. We call upon
those developed countries to take fully into account the social and economic effects those
deportations would have on the affected developing countries, particularly those facing high debt
burdens and high unemployment situations. We encourage all countries to consider becoming
parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of ail Migrant Workers.

Human Settlements

246. We welcome the preparatory process for the Special Session of the UN General Assembly
for an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Habitat Agenda, Istanbul 5, to be
held in June 2001. We invite all members to participate actively in the Preparatory Committee
meetings in order to obtain the best results during the Special Session in considering our
concerns in the implementation of various areas of the Habitat Agenda.

Human Rights

247. We reaf?rm that ali human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated
and that the international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal
manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis, and that the signi?cance of national
and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and reiigious backgrounds must be
respected. It is the duty of States, regardiess of their political, economic and cultural systems, to
promote and protect ali human rights and fundamental freedoms of ali peoples, in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action, the Deciaration of the Right to Development and other
international human rights instruments. Furthermore, we agree to work towards the
transformation and the continuing adaptation of human rights machinery to current and future
needs in the promotion and protection of human rights.

248. We stress that the human rights issues must be addressed within the globai context
through a constructive, dialogue?based approach, with objectivity, respect for national
sovereignty and territorial integrity, impartiality, non-selectivity and transparency as the
guiding principles, taking into account the political, historical, social, religious and cultural
characteristics of each country. Exploitation of human rights for poiitical purposes, including
selective targeting of individual countries for extraneous considerations, which is contrary to
the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, should be excluded. We
emphasise that co-ordination of human rights activities must be carried out by United Nations
organs, bodies and specialised agencies, whose activities deal with human rights, so as to
co-operate in order to strengthen, rationalise and streamline those activities, taking into
account the need to avoid duplication.

 

 

 



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249. We reiterate our view that eviery State should provide an effective framework for the
protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the
United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and other relevant
international instruments on human rights, as well as a framework of remedies to redress human
rights grievances or violations. In this context, we reaf?rm the important and constructive role to
be played by independent national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
and stress that every effort should be made for the impartiality and objectivity of national
institutions and call upon the Of?ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights to provide greater assistance upon request by interested governments in the
establishment and operations of the national institutions. Each national institution has the right
to choose its framework in accordance with national legislation.

250. We urge States to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems, taking into account the
respective country conditions, provide effective guarantees for fundamental human rights such
as freedom of speech, association, thought, conscience, religion and belief to all without
discrimination. We condemn unequivocally all violent acts and activities, which infringe upon
human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, tolerance and respect for diversity.

251. We reaf?rm that democracy, development and respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, are interdependent and mutually
reinforcing. Adoption, for any cause or consideration, of coercive and unilateral measures,
rules and policies against developing countries constitute ?agrant violations of the basic
rights of their populations. We also reaf?rm that poverty and social and economic exclusion
constitute a violation of human dignity and human rights. It is essential for States to promote
efforts to combat abject poverty and as well as, foster participation by the poorest members
of society in decision-making process. in this context, we also urge developed countries to
assist the developing countries particularly the LDCs in ful?lling the basic needs of the society
determined for the purpose of right to development.

252. We express our deep concern over the lack of progress in the negotiations in the Third
Committee Working Group of the UNGA on the adaptation of the UN human rights machinery
mandated by paragraph 17 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action which we
attribute to a lack of political will on the part of developed countries. We are also concerned over
the tendency of imposing a particular agenda and monitoring approaches at the expense of the
role of deveiopment and international co?operation in the overall promotion and protection of
human rights.

253. We unequivocally condemn international terrorism as a criminal act and note that terrorism
endangers the very territorial integrity and security of States, due to acts of terrorism which take
place within States, especially those which violate human rights in particular the right of life of all
citizens and that destroy the physical and economic infrastructure, and attempt to de?stabilise
legitimately constituted governments. We express our resolve to take speedy and effective
measures to eliminate international terrorism and urged all states to ful?l their obligations under
international law, including prosecuting or, where appropriate, extraditing the perpetrators of
such acts and preventing the organisation and instigation of terrorism against other States from
within outside their territories. We reaf?rm our support for General Assembly resolution 46/51 of
27 January 1992 which unequivocally condemned as criminal and unjusti?able all acts, methods
and practices of terrorism wherever and by whomever committed and called upon ali States to
fui?i their obligations under international laws to refrain from organising, instigating, assisting or
participating in terrorist acts in other State, or acquiescing in or encouraging activities within their
territory towards the commissioning of such acts .

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254. We further call on all States to endorse in principle the convening of an international
conference under the auspices of the United Nations, to de?ne terrorism, to differentiate it
from the struggle for national liberation and to reach comprehensive and effective measures
for concerted action. We also denounce the brutalisation of peoples kept under foreign
occupation as the gravest form of terrorism. We condemn the use of state power for the
suppression and violence against innocent civilians struggling against foreign occupation to
exercise their inalienable right to self-detennination. We stress the sanctity of this right and
urged that in this era of enlarged freedom and democracy, people under foreign occupation
should be allowed to freely determine their destiny. In this context, we reaffirm the
Movement's principled position that the struggle of people under colonial or alien domination
and foreign occupation for self-determination do not constitute terrorism.

255. We recall General Assembly resolution 52/133 entitled "Human Rights and Terrorism"
and renew our concern at the gross violation of human rights perpetrated by terrorist groups,
and reiterate our condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism. We also call
for the need to promote and intensify international co-operation in order to implement
effective measures against terrorism.

256. We remain determined to promote and protect all human rights, including the right to
development, as enunciated in the Declaration on the Right to Development. While stressing
the indivisible nature of all human rights, we emphasise on the importance of the right to
development as a universal and inalienable right and as an integral part of the fundamental
human rights. In this regard, we welcome the greater acceptance of the implementation and
realisation of the right to development by the international community and call on all States to
undertake necessary policy formulation and institute measures required for the
implementation of the right to development as a fundamental human right. The United
Nations Commission on Human Rights' Open-Ended Working Group on the Right to
Development should give consideration, inter alia, to the question of the necessity for 3
Convention on the Right to Development. We emphasise the need that the Independent
Expert on the Right to Development should be provided with the adequate and necessary
resources in order to ful?l his mandate.

257. We fully support the regional initiatives and efforts to maintain over all development in
the advancement of people and individuals, such as the comprehensive development
strategy, which was adopted by the nineteenth session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf
Co-operation Council, held in Abu Dhabi in 1998.

International Humanitarian Law

258. We express our concern over the continuous erosion in the reSpect for international
humanitarian law and principles, both in terms of denial of safe and unimpeded access in
accordance with international humanitarian law to people in need and through increasing
violence against all those protected by intemational humanitarian law. We therefore urge all
parties to con?icts to respect international humanitarian law and human rights instruments,
stress the importance of the promotion and? diffusion of these laws and instruments and call
upon all parties to take measures to ensure the safety and the security of intemational and local
humanitarian personnel.

259. We reiterate that priority should be given to promoting knowledge of, respect for and
observance of the rules of international humanitarian law, in particular those of the four Geneva
Conventions and their 1977 Protocols, and we encourage States to consider ratifying or

 

 





 

acceding the two 1977 Additional Protocols, in particular we recognise the obligation of the
parties in armed conflicts not of international character to apply the provisions contained in he
common Article 3. We also underline the importance of national implementation of international
humanitarian law and urge all States to take such measures as may be necessary to implement
their international obligations, including the enactment of legislation and/or regulations.

260. We condemn the increasing attacks on the safety and security of humanitarian
personnel and urge all Member Countries to ensure respect for the protection of the
personnel of humanitarian organisations in conformity with the relevant international law.
Humanitarian agencies and their personnel should respect the laws of the countries they
work in and the principles of neutrality and non-interference, as well as cultural, religious and
other values of the population in the countries where they operate.

261. We recognise the need for rules to protect and preserve cultural property, as such
objects constitute the collective memory of humanity and are examples of its greatest
achievements. We take note of the adoption of the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict in this
regard, and invite those States which have not yet done so to considering ratifying the 1954
Convention and its two additional Protocols. 

262. We take note of the adoption of the Plan of Action on humanitarian issues and the
pledges made by the 27th international Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference (Geneva,
31 October - 6 November 1999) including better response to the needs of victims of armed
con?ict. As parties to the Geneva Conventions, we commit ourselves to fully adhere to our
obligations under these Conventions.

Humanitarian Issues

263. We reaf?rm the distinction between humanitarian action and UN peace-keeping and peace
enforcement operations as well as operational activities for development and emphasise that
humanitarian assistance is designed to address the consequences, and not the causes thereof.
in order to pursue the independence, neutrality and the impartiality of humanitarian action, such
action must be kept distinct from, and independent of political or military action, in accordance
with respective mandates while ensuring the observance of international laws. We reject the so-
called ?right? of humanitarian intervention, which has no legal basis in the UN Charter or in the
general principles of international law. In this context, we request the Co-ordinating Bureau in
New York to continue to remain seized of the consideration of the concept of humanitarian
intervention and other related matters as contained in the 1999 Report of the UN Secretary-
General on the Work of the Organisation.

264. We express concern over the lack of adequate resources for responding to and addressing
humanitarian emergencies in a uniform manner across the globe without humanitarian

favouritism and, more speci?cally, the process of transition from relief to development and .

regret the persistent trend of low and uneven funding for humanitarian assistance. We reiterate
that failure to provide adequate resources and balanced contributions, both geographically and
sectorally undermines the Guiding Principles of Humanitarian Assistance, and weakens'the
ability of humanitarian actors to respond in a coherent and timely manner to emergencies. We
therefore call upon donor countries to increase their contributions to humanitarian appeals
commensurate with the needs of affected populations, without being in?uenced by levels of
media interest or geographic location of the emergency requiring humanitarian assistance. At
the same time, contributions for humanitarian assistance should not be at the expense of

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50

development assistance. Furthermore, we call on the United Nations to fully utilise the
capacities existing within developing countries, which are available closer to the site of a
disaster and often at lower cost.

265. We reiterate our deep concern over the considerable rise in the number of refugees and
note with concem the increasingly large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons
being hosted by developing countries. We also acknowledge the urgent need to further sensitise
the international community, particularly the donor community and the international ?nancial
institutions, to the ever-increasing problems of refugee hosting developing countries and
developing countries in situations of post-conflict reconstruction of those with protracted and
heavy refugee caseloads. We stress the necessity of intemationai burden sharing and
responsibility in refugee situations. We reiterate the cat! for intensi?ed ?nancial and moral
support to developing countries, upon request and while scrupuiously observing the principles
of neutrality, non?conditionality and non-interference.

266. We reaf?rm that international humanitarian assistance to respond to humanitarian
emergencies, including, natural disasters must be provided upon request, in accordance with
the principles of neutrality, humanity and impartiality and should be determined solely on the
basis of the human dimension and needs arising out of the particular natural disaster. In this
respect, we stress the need to increase the funds for international co-operation for natural
disasters, as well as for the needs to set out disaster prevention and management mechanisms,
including early warning systems, taking into account particularly the work accomplished on the
lnternational Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction and transition from relief to development,
in view of the increasing number and scale of natural disasters world-wide, in particular in
developing countries.

267. We express our deep concern over the unprecedented floods in southern Africa and
Mozambique in particular, that have caused loss of lives, extensive destruction of
infrastructures and deterioration of the socio-economic situation. The unfolding humanitarian
disaster is a further cause of concern. We commend the efforts of southern Africa
development community (SADC) countries to address the devastating effects of the floods
and thank the international community for the support, solidarity and humanitarian assistance
rendered to Mozambique. We urge the international community to participate in the
international Donors Conference to be held in Rome on 3 and 4 May 2000, aimed at
mobilising ?nancial resources for the rehabilitation of socio-economic infrastructures in
Mozambique. We also urge the developed countries to write-off the external debt of
Mozambique in the light of its current critical socio-economic situation and support the post-
conflict peace-building process in Mozambique.

Racism and Racial Discrimination

268. We reiterate our opposition to all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance and express deep concern on the resurgence of contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in various parts of the world. All
forms of racism and xenophobia constitute a serious violation of human rights, which should be
rejected through all poiitical and legal means. We condemn all forms of racism and
discrimination spread through the new communications technology, including the intemet. We
welcome the decision to convene a ?Worid Conference against racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance? in the year 2001 in South Africa. We call on all States to

render the necessary support to the preparatory process geared at the holding of the
conference.

 

 

 



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Advancement of Women

269. We pledge our support to the Special Session of the General Assembly on ?Women
2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty??rst century?, reaf?rming our
commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. We also reiterate that there is a
need for the adoption of effective measures to integrate a gender perspective, to removing the
main obstacles to the achievement of equality and equity between men and women,
development and peace, and particularly eradicating poverty. We recognise women important
role in social and economic development and reiterate the need to take practical measures for
their active participation in political, economic, social and cultural activities. We also reiterate that
there is a need for a holistic approach through the entire life cycle of women including, the
empowerment of women and economic independence of women and the full enjoyment of all
human rights by women and girls. in particular, situation of girls and women living in rural areas
should be given due priority.

270. We pledge ourselves to combating all forms of discrimination against women, and to
supporting measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against and traf?cking in girls
and women. There is also a need to strengthen the promotion of an active and visible policy of
mainstreaming a gender perspective at national and multilateral levels, including in the design,
follow?up and gender-based evaluation of all policies, as appropriate, in order to ensure effective
implementation of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women in
particular and the advancement of women in general. We also recognise the importance of
mainstreaming a gender perspective in the process of implementation of the outcome of major
United Nations conferences.

271. We reaf?rm that today major changes in social development patterns, including providing
possibilities for active participation of women, are considered among the top priorities for
achieving sustainable development. in this regard, the role of the family unit that respect the
human rights of all its members as an institution that provides the highest degree of material and
moral well-being, is extremely important.

272. We reiterate abhorrence at the increasing victimisation of, and violence against, women
and the girl child, especially in situations of armed con?ict, and the systematic use of rape by the
parties to con?icts as an instrument of war, ethnic cleansing and terrorism. We call on countries
to take the necessary measures against all such perpetrators of violence in order to put an end
to such practices forthwith and to ensure international law and domestic legislation, make
provision for the protection of women and girls in armed con?ict. In this regard, we reaf?rm
Chapter NE of the Beijing Platform for Action, on Women and Armed Con?ict.

273. We recognise women?s contribution to peace?building, peace-making and con?ict
resolution.

The Situation of Children

274. We welcome the decision to convene a Special Session of the General Assembly in the
year 2001 to review the implementation of the Program of Action of the World Summit of
Children, and express our commitment to participate fully in the preparatory process for the
Special Session with a view to improving the lives of children in our countries. We are
concerned that economic and social marginalization of developing countries, especially the
poorest nations is leading to a deleterious impact on children.

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52

275. We are also concerned over the intolerable persistence of adverse social and economic
conditions faced by children on account of poverty, use of children in armed conflict, including
child mercenaries, child labour, particularly the worst forms of child labour, the continued
exploitation and traf?cking of children for pomography, prostitution and drug traf?cking, the

increasing number of children affected by as well as at the suffering of refugee

and displaced children. Urgent steps, including through international co?operation, must be
undertaken to address these problems

276. We take note of the adoption by a working group mandated by the Commission of
Human Rights of a draft Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of the Child on the
involvement of children in armed conflicts. We encourage all States to deal with the question
of minimum age limit for recruitment and participation of children in armed conflict in
accordance with articles 1 to 4 of the draft Protocol. We further express our conviction of the
need to strengthen international co?operation for the implementation of the Protocol and the
rehabilitation and social integration of children who are victims of armed conflict. We also
welcome the entry into force of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,
and in particular the protection the Charter offers to children affected by armed conflict.

277. We take note of the ongoing work on drafting an Optional Protocol on the sale of
children, child pornography and child prostitution, to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child. We call upon States, in cases of child sex tourism, to enhance international co?
operation among all relevant authorities, in particular law enforcement authorities, including
the sharing of relevant data, in order to eradicate this practice. We also stress the need to
combat the existence of a market that encourages such criminal practices against children,
including through preventive and enforcement measures, targeting customers or individuals
who sexually exploit or abuse children.

Transnational Crime

278. We reaf?rm our commitment to co?ordinate the efforts and strategies at national,
regional and international ievels against transnational crime and to develop an adequate
database on transnational crime and the methods most effective in combating crime of this
nature. We also reaf?nn that international efforts against transnational crime should be carried
outwith the necessary respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.

279. We note the ongoing process to draft an lntemational Convention against Organised
Transnational Crime, as well as its additional Protocols on traf?cking in persons, in particular
women and children, on combating illicit manufacturing of and traf?cking in ?rearms, and on
illegal traf?cking in and transportation of migrants. We emphasise the need for the effective
participation of all developing countries, particularly members of the Movement, in the
negotiations on the draft Convention and its three protocols in the Ad-hoc Committee. We
express our concern that, owing to the pace of negotiations and their simultaneity, many
NAM and other developing countries have not been able to ensure such effective
participation.

International Drug Control
280. We reiterate the call for enhanced intemationai co?operation in favour of alternative

development programs and for environmental rehabilitation in the areas of illicit crop
cultivation. We also call upon the United Nations Drug Control Program and developed

 

 

 

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countries to fully support developing countries in their ?ght against illicit drugs, through
providing them with adequate ?nancial and technical assistance.

281 . We also remain committed to the pledge undertaken at the Eleventh Summit to strengthen
international co-operation to eradicate the growing and dangerous links between terrorist
groups, drug traf?ckers and their paramilitary gangs, and other armed criminal groups which
have resorted to all types of violence, thus undermining the democratic institutions of States and
violating basic human rights. Effective measures must be taken to halt the illicit trade in small
arms and light weapons, which is linked to the drug trade and which is generating unacceptable
levels of crime and violence affecting the national security and the economies of many States.

282. We reaf?rm the determination to achieve concrete results on all the action plans by the 20"h
Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, on the basis of the principles of
shared responsibility for addressing the demand and supply-side of drug traf?cking, in
conformity with principles and purposes enshrined in the UN Charter and other international
instruments, in particular respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in
the internal affairs of States. 

Ur
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ANNEX: RESERVATIONS
BURKINA FASO
(Unof?cial translation)

The delegation of Burkina Faso, who could greatly wish that the consensus be done
around the examination of the question on Angola, puts forward reservations on the entire
paragraph 129 of the Final Document ref. 

indeed the delegation of Burkina Faso considers that he can't endorse a text that
requires the Security Council to adopt a report of Experts Committee on Angola, even though
the examination of this report by this same Security Council is always hanging.

CHILE

The Delegation of Chile has the honour to address the Secretariat of the 
Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, and in connection with the
Final Declaration would like to express its reservations with regard to ail those paragraphs
whose contents may be incompatible with the external policies and/or juridical order or
international obligations assumed by the Republic of Chile.

Furthermore, it also wishes to state that inasmuch as the paragraphs in Chapter ll,
?Analysis of the International Situation" refer to actions which concern certain Member States
or to bilateral conflicts, the contents of those paragraphs, judgements and quali?cations,
would only have value linked to those countries and not necessarily to the other members of
the Movement.

The Delegation of Chile believes that those paragraphs re?ecting particular interests
of delegations should be placed in a document annexed to the Final Declaration and not form
part of the central body of the same.

The Delegation of Chile avails of this opportunity to reiterate to-the Secretariat of the
Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries the assurances of its
distinguished consideration.

GUATEMALA

The Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations presents its compliments
to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations, and has the honor to refer to
the communication of the Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned
Movement of April 13, regarding the Final Document of the Ministerial Conference of
NAM, held in Cartagena, Colombia, on 8-9 April. In this regard, the Permanent Mission of
Guatemala wishes to submit its reservation regarding paragraphs 109 to 152, in those
aspects which do not re?ect the position that the delegation of Guatemala customarily
assumes on the same issues in the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Permanent
Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations the assurances of its highest
consideration.

 

 

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INDIA

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations presents its compliments to the
Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations, in its capacity as the Chairman of the
Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Conference in Cartagena, and has the honour to refer to
the Communiqu? adopted by the NAM Ministerial Conference in Cartagena on 9th April, 2000.

As conveyed by the Indian delegation at the Ministerial Conference, it is India?s view

that the Movement must concentrate on the common external challenges that continue to
mount, and which all developing countries, including members of the Movement, must face
unitedly. The Movement should, therefore, focus on causes that bind its members together,
and shun those that divide it. it should not waste its energies, or let its unity be undermined,
by pursuing agendas that are either divisive or controversial within the Movement.

It is for these reasons that India opposes the proposal to have a study conducted on a
con?ict resolution mechanism for the Movement, and wishes to convey its formal reservation
to paragraph 106 of the Communiqu? adopted by the NAM Ministerial Conference in
Cartagena on 9th April, 2000.

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations avails itself of this opportunity
to renew to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations the assurances of its
highest consideration.

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

The delegation of thelslamic Republic of Iran to the Ministerial Conference of the
Non-Aligned Movement declares its reservation on those parts of the Final Document of the
Conference which might be construed as any form of recognition of
Israel. .

IRAQ

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations presents its
compliments to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Colombia to the United Nations, 
and with reference to the Final Document of the Ministerial Conference of the
Non-Aligned Movement, has the honor to convey that the Government of Iraq, in addition to
its oral reservations on paragraphs 134 and 135 entitled "Iraq-Kuwait", would like also to
submit its strong reservations in writing on these two paragraphs as follows:

1- Paragraph 134 concerning the "importance of Iraq to its completion of implementation
of all relevant Security Council resolutions". Our reservations are the following:

a) This paragraph contradicts with the fact that the responsibility of implementation of
Security Council Resolutions falls on all member states of the United Nations, and in
particular the Permanent Members of the Security Council. This paragraph also contradicts
with the latest position of the Non-Aligned Movement expressed in its statement of December
17, 1998 (United Nations General Assembly Document N531762) in which "the movement
deplores the ongoing military actions against Iraq by individual countries without any
authorization from the Security Council in ?agrant disregard of the Charter of the
United Nations. The Movement emphasizes that the full implementation of all relevant

 

55

 




 

Security Council resolutions by all parties constitutes the only means for establishing
durable peace, security and stability in the region. 

b) This paragraph ignores the fact that two permanent members of the Security Council,
namely the United States and the United Kingdom are violating, daily and constantly, the
Security Council resolutions on lraq through imposing, by force, the no??y zones on Iraq
contrary to the provisions of these resolutions which call for the respect of Iraq's
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The daily bombing of Iraqi civilian
infrastructure by the United States and the United Kingdom is another example of acts of
aggression. The logistical support provided by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey to the United
States and the United Kingdom makes them key partners in the aggression against Iraq.

2- Paragraph 134 concerning the "need to resolve expeditiously the fate of all
prisoners/detainees and missing persons of Kuwait and third country nationals" and
recalling "the appointment of Mr. Yuly Vorontsov by the Secretary General as the high
level coordinator to follow up the release of Kuwaitis and third country nationals and
prisonerfdetainees and the return of Kuwaiti property.? Our reservations are the
following:

a) The issue of Missing in Action is a humanitarian one, and there should be no selectivity or
double standard in mentioning a nationality and ignoring others. Since there are more Iraqis
Missing in Action than other nationalities, this paragraph should make reference to them as
well.

b) Humanitarian issues should not be politicized; the reference to the appointment of Mr. Yuly
Vorontsov Is an attempt to politicize the issue.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nation avails itself of this
opportunity to renew the assurances of its highest consideration.

STATE OF KUWAIT

The Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations presents
his compliments to the Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations and with
reference to the ?nal communique of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned
Movement held recently in Cartagena, Colombia from 7-9 April 2000, wishes to register the
Government of Kuwait?s strong reservations on paragraphs 136 and 139 under the title "Iraq".

Kuwait would like to see the above-mentioned reservations re?ected in the ?nal
of?cial communique of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non?Aligned Movement held
recently in Cartagena, Colombia.

The Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations avails
himself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Representative of Colombia to the
United Nations the assurances of his highest consideration.

PAKISTAN

The Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations presents its compliments to
the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations and has the honour to record its
reservation on paragraph 17 bis regarding the Plan of Action as contained in the Final

 

 

 

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Document of the Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries held
in Cartagena. 8-9 April 2000, circulated under symbol lRev.2.

According to para 40 of the Durban Final Document, the Working Group entrusted
with the task of de?ning and preparing a complete Plan of Action for the Movement, is to
report to the Ministerial Meeting on Methodology through the NAM Coordinating Bureau. As
such, the Plan of Action needs to be presented to the Ministerial Meeting on Methodology
and not to the Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The Permanent Mission of Pakistan would request that the reservation be
appropriately re?ected in the Final Document of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-
Aligned Movement held in Cartagena, 8-9 April 2000.

The Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations avails itself of this
Opportunity to renew to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations the
assurances of its highest consideration.

PERU
(Unof?cial translation)

The Permanent Mission of Peru to the United Nations presents its compliments to the
Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations, in its capacity as Chairman of the 
Ministerial Meeting of the Movement of the Non-Aligned Countries, and regarding the
documents adOpted by this conference, has the honor to inform that the Government of Peru
wishes to submit its reservations on all those paragraphs of the referred documents whose
contents are incompatible with its external, economic, social or legal policies.

The Permanent Mission of Peru would like that this verbal note be attached to the
publication of the Final Document of the mentioned meeting.

The Permanent Mission of Peru to the United Nations avails itself of this opportunity
to reiterate to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations the assurances of its
highest and distinguished consideration.

RWANDA

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda wishes to dissociate itself from the
language used in para 129 on Angola, in its fourth line where it is written and we quote: ?and
?urge the Security Council to adogt the report, etc etc" unquote

Adopt is not the right word and we have no problem with the rest of the text. The
language urging the Security Council to adopt the report supposes that the UNSC has
examined and debated the report. This is not the case. Members of the Security Council in
this room will tell you that the ?rst informal consultations on the report will start April 11-12th
and the debate on April 2000.

Prior to these dates we cannot urge the Security Council to adopt the report but to
examine it and take relevant action. I thank you.

 

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58

SAUDI ARABIA

The Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations presents its
compliments to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations, and with reference
to the Final Document of the Movement of the Non-Aligned Countries at the Ministerial
Conference held recently in Cartagena in 8 and 9 April 2000, has the honour to convey that
the Government of Saudi Arabia, in addition to its oral reservations on paragraphs (136) and
(139) entitled "lraq," would like to make these reservations in writing to the said paragraphs
and its amendments.

The Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations the
assurances of its highest consideration.

THAILAND

The Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations presents its compliments to
the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations and, with reference to the
Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations' Note No.
dated 13 April 2000, concerning the Ministerial Conference held in
Cartagena during 8 - 9 April 2000, has the honour to convey the Government of Thailand?s
reservations on those paragraphs in the Final Document, which are inconsistent with its
foreign policy.

The Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations the
assurances of its highest consideration.

TOGO
(Unof?cial translation)

The delegation of the Republic of Togo would like to put on the record its reservation
concerning the whole paragraph 129 of the Final Document (Doc. 

The delegation of the Republic Togo is not in a position to accept the adoption of the
text of the above-mentioned paragraph which urges the United Nations Security council to
adopt the report of the Expert Panel on the violations of sanctions in Angola and pass a
resolution based on the recommendations contained therein at the very moment when the
Council has not yet terminated its consideration of the report.

 

 

 

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MOVEMENT OF THE NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
2000

Declaration on'the Millennium Summit

1.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Non-Aligned Movement, meeting in Cartagena de
lndias, Colombia on 8 and 9 April 2000 at the Ministerial Conference of the
Movement, addressed various issues related to the Millennium Summit that will be held
from 6 to 8 September 2000 in New York under the overall theme ?The role of the United
Nations in twenty-?rst century.? .

The Ministers?expressed their ?rm support for the Millennium Summit, as well as for the
?fty-?fth session of the General Assembly in the year 2000 convened as ?The Millennium
Assembly of the United Nations,? and indicated that they will actively avail themselves of
the opportunity presented by the Summit to articulate their vision on prospects and
challenges for the new millennium, and on concrete actions required by the international
community to {effectively address them.

The Ministers stressed that the Millennium Summit and its preparatory process must
provide for effective participation by all member states, especially the members of the
Non-Aligned Movement, through a transparent intergovernmental process of deliberations
and negotiations, to ensure full ownership of its outcome.

The Ministers endorsed the proposal of the Joint Coordinating Committee that within the
overall theme of ?The role of the United Nations in the twenty-?rst century,? there should
be two subtopics, namely, ?Peace, security and disarmament? and ?Development and
poverty eradication.?

The Ministers welcomed the decision of the General Assembly in Resolution 54/254 that,
owing to the unique symbolic moment of the Millennium Summit, Namibia being the
country of the President of the ?fty-fourth session of the General Assembly, and Finland
being the country of the President of the ?fty-?fth session of the General Assembly, jointly
preside over the Summit.

The Ministers addressed the issue of the list of speakers of the plenary, and favoured the
drawing of lots in an open and transparent manner as the most appropriate mechanism.

The Ministers welcomed the interactive round tables and emphasized that these be
composed giving due consideration to the principle of equitable geographic
representation, as well as providing for an appropriate balance between developed and
developing nations. In addition, the Ministers expressed that the four round tables be
chaired by a Head of State or Government of Eastern Europe, Latin American and the
Caribbean, Asia, and Africa, respectively.

The Ministers recognized the need to continue discussing the role and the collective
challenges before the Non-Aligned Movement in the twenty-?rst century, and noted that
the Millennium Assembly provides an appropriate context for a deep re?ection on these
issues. The Ministers instructed the Permanent Representatives in New York to consider
this issue in the Coordinating Bureau and to present recommendations to the Ministerial

59

 

 

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60

Meeting in New York during the Session of the United Nations ?fty-?fth General
Assembly. 

The Ministers instructed the Coordinating Bureau in New York to estabtish an ad hoc
open-ended working group to carefully discuss the implications and suggestions of the
report of the Secretary General entitled "We the peoples: the role of the United Nations in
the tWenty??rst century? guided by the principles and decisions of the Non-Alignment
Movement and the UN Charter.

 

 

 

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MOVEMENT OE THE NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
CARTAGENA, APRIL 8-9, 2000

- Call from Cartagena to Sustain the Africa Momentum

We the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Non? Aligned Movement,
gathered in Cartagena de lndias, Colombia, on the occasion of the Ministerial
Conference, held on 9-10 April 2000,

Desiring to lend the unequivocal support of the Non Aligned Movement to the efforts by
African countries to address their numerous challenges, and to sustain the momentum
generated by increasing world attention to the aspirations and objectives of the African
renaissance,

1. We welcome all decisions adopted by the 35th ordinary session of the Assembly of
Heads of State or Government of the Organisation of African unity which took place in
July 1999 in Algiers, underline the determination of the Organisation of African Unity to
pursue their tireless efforts for the prevention and peaceful settlement of con?icts in
Africa, and express in this regard, their appreciation for the contributions of HE. Mr.
Abdelaziz Boute?ika, Head of State of Algeria and Chairman of the OAU, as well as other
African leaders,

2. Call on the United Nations and the international community to effectively contribute to the
enhancement of African capacities in the prevention of conflicts and peacekeeping, in
particular by strengthening the OUA Mechanism for con?ict prevention, management and
resolution,

3. Commend the decision of African leaders to declare the year 2000 as the Year of Peace,
Security and Solidarity in Africa and encourage them to pursue their commitment to
effectively eliminate armed con?icts in Africa by the end of the year,

4. Reaff rm the intrinsic link between peace and development, and in this context welcome
the Open- Ended Working Group as established in GA Resolution 53/92, express our
appreciation for the report of the United Nations Secretary General on the causes of
con?ict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, and
call for the early implementation of the recommendations contained therein, in
accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions and fully respecting the national
priorities of African countries themselves.

5. Express deep concern about the persistent critical economic situation of Africa, and note
in? particular that the heavy burden of the external debt and debt servicing, deteriorating
prices for primary commodities, insuf?cient foreign direct investments and declining ?ows
of of?cial development asSistance to the region, have adversely affected the ability of
African countries to meet their development objectives,

6. Commend the efforts undertaken by Africa toward the economic and social development
of African peoples and economic co- operation and integration among African states, and
in this regard, welcome the Declaration of Sirte adopted on September 9,1999 at the 4th
Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the OAU.

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?2

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Welcome with great satisfaction the achievements of many African countries in terms of
peaceful political transition, and urge the international community of donors to mobilise
means and ways of assistance in support of this trend.

Welcome the various initiatives undertaken by the United Nations, bilateral donors and
multilateral institutions in mobilising efforts for the development of Africa, and believe that
more effective coordination and harmonisation in their implementation, better funding
and stronger ownership by recipient countries, will enhance the attainment of sustainable
development of Africa, 

Call on the international community to promote strong and lasting economic growth in
Africa to reduce the level of poverty by half by the year 2015, in response to the resolve
by African countries and to the commitments undertaken during the Social Development
Summit in Copenhagen,

Express our deep concern regarding the situation of refugees in Africa, reiterate our
solidarity with the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons in the continent as
well as the host countries, and urge on the intemationai community and the United
Nations to mobilise adequate and suf?cient resources and to ensure that Africa receives
a fair and equitable share of resources designated for refugees and internally displaced
persons, .

Urge international support for a millennium vaccine fund to guarantee future markets for
malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS vaccines in Africa, in order to stem the tide of disease in
the continent,

View with concern the magnitude of recent natural disasters af?icting several African
countries and causing a high number of victims and severe social, economic and
environmental damage and disruption, and call on the international community to assist
with the prevention and mitigation of such disasters and to adequately ?nance the
reconstruction needs of the countries affected,

Remain con?dent that African countries, inspired by their great ancestral values will
overcome those challenges, and ensure for the African peoples peace, progress and
emancipation, and reiterate in this regard the strong solidarity and commitment of the
Movement toward the achievement of these noble objectives,

Strongly urge the international community to create a genuine global partnership for the
development of Africa as well as for its effective and harmonious integration into the world
economy to allow the continent to occupy its right place in the world, ensure its economic
and social development and play more effectively its role in the international affairs.

 

 

 




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MOVEMENT OF THE NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
CARTAGENA, APRIL 8-9, 2000

Declaration on the Peace Process in Colombia

1. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Non- Aligned Movement, meeting in Cartagena
de lndias, Colombia on 8 and 9 April 2000 at the Xlli Ministerial Conference of the
Movement, expressed their support for the peace process launched by the
Government of Colombia, and hoped for its successful completion. In this context, the
Minister's'praised the President Andr?s Pastrana's strong commitment and personal
leadership in favour of a political solution to the con?ict through a negotiated peace

agreement.

2. The Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Government of Colombia for its
efforts in reaf?rming Cartagena as a symbol of the strength, unity and autonomy of
the Non- Aligned Movement. ,The Ministers also expressed their thanks and
appreciation to the peeple of Colombia, to its authorities and to the kind people of
Cartagena de lndias for their hospitality and warmth.

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MOVEMENT OF THE NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
CARTAGENA, APRIL 8-9, 2000

6?

REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR-GENERAL

. The Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non- Aligned Countries

was held in Cartagena, Colombia on 8 and 9 April 2000.

It was preceded by a Preparatory Meeting of Senior Of?cials on April 7 2000.

. The following members of the Movement attended the Conference:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan,
Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, C?te Ivoire, Chile, Chad, Cuba, Cyprus,
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,
Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran (Islamic
Republic of), Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People?s Democratic Republic,
Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali,
Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia,
Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru,
Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South
Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand,
Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates,
United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

The following countries attended the Conference as Observers:

Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, China People?s Republic of, El Salvador, Mexico,
Paraguay, Uruguay, Ukraine.

. The following International Organisations and Movements of National Liberation also

attended as observers:

Asian and African Peoples Solidarity Organisation (AAPSO), Committee of the
Exercise of the lnalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Preparatory Commission
for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBTO), Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), High Commissioner for Refugees, New lndependentist
Movement of Puerto Rico, International Organisation for Migration, Organisation of the
African Unity, International Committee of the Red Cross, South Centre, UNESCO,
UNICEF, United Nations.

. The following guests, countries and organisations attended the opening and closing

ceremonies of the Ministerial Conference:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Czech
Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway,

 

 


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Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Slovenia.
Switzerland, Sweden, United States pf America, United Kingdom.

Opening of the Conference

7. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa opened the Thirteenth Ministerial
Conference.

8. The Conference observed a minute of silence in memory of the leaders of the
Movement who had passed away since the Summit Conference, particularly, His
Majesty King Hassan ll of Morocco, His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan, former
President of Tunisia H.E. Habib Bourguiba and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of
South Africa HE. Mr Alfred Nzo. .

9. HE. Mr. Andres Pastrana Arango, President of Colombia, delivered. the inaugural
address, which the Conference adopted as an of?cial document.

10. Mr. Ko? Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, sent a message to the
Ministerial Conference, which was delivered by Mr. Kieran Prendergast, Under
Secretary General for Political Affairs of the United Nations.

11. On a proposal from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, the Conference
elected HE. Mr. Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, Minister of Foreign affairs of Colombia
as its Chairman.

Election of Officers (Agenda item 2)
12. The Conference constituted by consensus the following Bureau:

Vice Chairmen: .
- For Africa: Angola, C?te d'lvoire, Gabon, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and
Senegal.
- For Asia: Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, Palestine and Vietnam.
- For Latin America and the Caribbean: Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica and Panama.
- For Europe: Belarus.

Rapporteur-General: Dominican Republic.

Chairman of the Political Committee: South Africa

Chairman of the Economic and Social Committee: Islamic Republic of Iran.

South Africa, as the current Chairman of the Movement, participated as member ex
of?cio.

?Adoption of the Agenda (Agenda item 3)
13. The Conference adopted the following agenda, contained in document 

Opening of the Conference
Election of Of?cers

Adoption of the Agenda

Report of the Preparatory Meeting
Organisation of work,



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Report of the Chairman of the Non- Aligned Movement
Review of the international Political and Economic Situation
Consideration and adoption of the documents

Other matters.

wean

Report of the Preparatory Meeting of Senior Of?cials (Agenda Item 4)

14. The conference took note of the report of the Senior Of?cials, contained in document
and approved its recommendations.

Organisation of Work (Agenda Item 5)

15. The Conference decided to establish a Political Committee to review Chapter I
(Global Issues) and Chapter II (Analysis of the lntemational Situation), and an
Economic and Social Committee to review Chapter (Economic Issues) and Chapter
IV (Social Issues) of the draft Final Document Document 1).

Report of the Chairman of the Non?Aligned Movement (Agenda Item 6)

16. The Conference took note of the report of the Chairman of the Movement, presented
by the Chairman of the Co-ordinating Bureau.

Revlew of the International Political and Economic situation (Agenda Item 7)

17. The Conference reviewed developments and implementation of decisions of the
Durban Summit, made presentations for the next Summit and discussed matters of
urgency. The outcome of its discussions is contained in the Final Document and in the
special Declarations.

Consideration and Adoption of the ?nal documents of the Ministerial Conference
(Agenda Item 8)

18. The Conference adopted the following documents:

Draft Agenda 
Organisation of Work 

Draft Final Document 
Opening Address by the President of 
Colombia

Declaration on the Millennium Summit NAMIMCIS
Declaration on Africa 
Declaration on the Peace Process in 
Colombia

Report of the Rapporteur 

The following delegations entered reservations on various paragraphs in the Final
Document: Burkina Faso, Chile, Guatemala, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, State
of Kuwait, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Togo.

 

 

 


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Closing of the Conference

19- The closing session was held on April 9. H.E. Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Colombia delivered the closing statement. Statements were made by
the representatives of the four regional groups, Ethiopia for Africa, Oman for Asia, Cuba
for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Belarus for Europe. The delegation of South

Africa also made a statement.

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MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT
OPENING CEREMONY-

ANDRES PASTRANA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
Cartagena de lndias, 8th April 2000

Your Excellency Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa

Your Excellency, Kieran Prendergast, Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, United
Nations

Mr. Guillermo Fernandez De Soto, Jairo Montoya

Governor, Mayoress, Of?cers of the Navy

Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation

Representatives of Observer Countries and Organizations

Colleagues

Special Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Cartagena, a city full of history and legend, and meeting point of men and women from
around the world, receives you again with all the affection of the Colombian people ?in whose
blessed soil the Creator deposited an in?nity of marvellous things,? and welcomes you to this
Ministerial Conference.

May I ?rst make special mention of the leadership which South Africa, as President of the
Non-Aligned Movement, as given us, and extend our appreciation to its President Thabo
Mbeki, and to his Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ministers and Heads of Delegation,

This is the ?rst conference of the non-aligned Countries in the new millennium. it is a unique

opportunity to review the achievements of the Movement, and to deploy our collective will
before the challenges of the future.

At the end of the Cold War, a period began in which a new spirit of co-operation promised an
era of peace and prosperity in the world. During the decade completed, unprecedented
possibilities have been opened up, but at the same time conflicts of local interests, and new
tensions, problems and threats have emerged. It has not yet been possible to establish the
conditions for a safe, stable, regulated- and hence predictable - world.

Since the collapse of the two-power world, intellectuals and political leaders have been
attempting to ?nd a paradigm that re?ects the realities of the emerging order. in this post-
cold-war era, it has become clear that the world is passing through a period of political
transition, and as such is characterized by risks, imbalances, and uncertainties. But it is also
a period of opportunities and challenges.

Our historic imperative is to foster an international order whose essential foundation is
democratic participation in all States in taking decisions on the basic items of the global
agenda: an order inspired by respect for human rights and the full application of international
humanitarian law. An order founded on the consolidation of an impartial collective security
system. An order in which the peaceful solution of differences must be the golden rule, and
not the exception. An order in which intergovernmental organizations must play the key role
in shaping our history.

 

 

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We have the right and the duty to play an active part, on an equal footing, in the de?nition of
a global order, which includes the aspirations and interest of our developing countries. An
order which regulates globalization will have to take account of the very great challenges
faced by mankind: the reduction of abject poverty, the risks to the environment that concern
this whole planet, the marginal situation of huge numbers of people around the world, the
lethal menace of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, global threats to human health,
natural disasters, violations of human rights, fundamental guarantees for the individual and
the world problem of drug-traf?cking, amongst others.

The dawn of the new century is an opportunity to ask ourselves what kind of Movement we
are, what our goals are and how we can ensure that the Movement will be a dynamic and
interactive group, with a visible in?uence in world affairs.

mm the end of the Cold War, some were quick to predict that our Movement would
disappear. It is not an insigni?cant fact that ten years after, the Movement maintains its full
validity and vitality.

There is the evident possibility of a one-power world, and a dangerous trend towards actions
taken outside the context of the world's supreme forum - indeed, outside the Security
Council, its senior body, responsible for the maintenance of world peace and security.

The relevant question now does not refer, therefore, to the existence or validity of the
Movement. That question has been answered. The truly important question should refer to
the role of the Movement in the shape and direction of the international agenda. We
represent the ovenlvhelming majority in the United Nations.

Unfortunately, it is not always our points of view that count. We often ?nd that the formula for
solutions has been worked out before we are consulted. We are too often limited to offering a
reaction. Meanwhile, new norms and orientations are established which are vital to our future
but lack the vision of our societies. It is urgent that the Movement make a carefui examination
of the implication of these developments.

The Movement should be a pro-active group in shaping the political and economic agenda of
the world. The pace of globalisation and the challenges of multilateralism leave us no choice.
If we want to be part of the winds of change instead of being blown away by them we
must make our presence stronger and press for an agenda, which looks for practical results.

Heads of Delegation, Delegates,

The United Nations Summit of the Millennium, to be held in September, gives us a valuable
opportunity to do this. We should take advantage of the Summit to de?ne a new model of
international cooperation which will acts as the basis of a world order which is more human,
with greater economic and social justice, in which each nation may develop its own potential.

The Movement must consolidate its position regarding the nature and scope of the Summit,
so that the Summit will be effective and fruitful. The Summit must be a forum for the world's
leaders to develop a relevant and constructive dialogue. To start a serious, in-depth
discussion on the future of United Nations, and the future of the world. This Conference
provides the opportunity to advance in that direction.

 

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Ministers and delegates,

One of the central questions which, to tell the truth, lacks a complete answer from the
Movement is how to face the challenges of globalization.

This vacuum is more notorious if we consider the risks of marginalization already faced by
the developing countries.

In this context, it is crucial to examine the impact of globalization on the fabric of society of
our countries. And the introduction of people-centered development models in the context of
today's world of rapid liberalization of trade and ?nance. The Movement should encourage
the de?nition of long-term development strategies in which all countries, regardless of size,
have an open and free opportunity to become meaningful members of the new economic
order.

Another of the challenges to face is the compatibility between the principles and
values of national sovereignty and globalization. How do we reconcile the defense of
democracy and human rights, new needs for peace and international security, the
liberalization of trade and investment, conservation of environment, and the ?ght
against emerging threats - with the principles of non-intervention, sovereignty of
States and other values of international law? The Movement should give priority
attention to the examination of this question and its response to it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In recent years, the international community has faced unprecedented challenges in the
humanitarian ?eld. Large numbers of people have suffered the devastating effect of natural
disasters and situations of conflict. Colombia shares the legitimate concerns of the
intemational community and international organizations, in the face of the magnitude and
frequency of such emergencies. They are a challenge to human solidarity, and demand a
satisfactory response.

The Movement should promote a free and open discussion of these topics by
multilateral institutions. Any new orientation of humanitarian assistance should be
based on unconditional respect for the Charter of the United Nations and international
law. it must also be inspired by the basic criteria of neutrality and impartiality.

Equally, and as the interpretation of the Charter is broadened to make room for humanitarian
intervention, the modes of that intervention should also be broadened. We should insist on
the need to prefer preventive measures because they cost fewer lives and less expense in
armed action, as a basic element in our reflections. Here, I quote the words of the Secretary
General of the United Nations, Ko? A. Arman that we must also recognize that all armed
intervention is, in itself, the result of a failure to prevent. And that when we consider the
future of intervention, we must redouble our efforts to strengthen our capacity to prevent,
including early-waming, preventive diplomacy, preventive displacement and preventive
disarmament.?

Recent experience has shown that dialogue, negotiation and the creation of conditions, which
favour development, can be an effective contribution to overcoming the causes of con?ict.

 

 




 

This vision should be complemented with respect for the principles of international
humanitarian law, as a fundamental component of humanitarian assistance in cases of
con?ict. Particular priority must be given to the most vulnerable groups in situations of
confrontation.

international humanitarian law is an essential element in securing the sustainability of peace
processes. This is precisely one of the basic premises, which the Government of Colombia
has determined for its peace policy. It is the main purpose of the Government to continue to.
encourage the humanization of the internal con?ict, as we move along the road towards the
ultimate objective of eliminating it, once and for all, from our territory. We have called upon
those involved in the confrontation and we have said to them that if the objective of their
struggle is related to the interests of the people, the first sign of that struggle should be full
respect for civil population.

Action to consolidate peace also entails a start from the very beginning of construction of the
society that will exist after the accords are signed, in areas such as the strengthening of
human rights, the reconstruction and consolidation of political institutions and humanitarian
assistance for the innocent victims of conflict.

And it is precisely in the framework of the strengthening of our democratic institutions which I
presented to the Colombian people in my recent proposal of a referendum to bring new order
to our ways of practising politics, appealing to the sovereign decision of the people, within the
mandate of our Constitution. Our nations must always follow the path of respect for
institutions, and that is what Colombia, deeply attached to its traditions of law and
democracy, is now doing.

Distinguished delegates,

In the heart of every Colombian there now shines the hope of restoring peace and
consolidating co?existence and reconciliation in society. In one and a half years we have
made progress that was long unthinkable. But now we have started a process of negotiation
with the FARC, the oldest and largest of the insurgent groups. We have agreed on an
agenda. The negotiators have started an analysis of economic and social issues. We have
encouraged wide-ranging participation by the public, through an Agenda Committee, which
will process the concerns expressed by ordinary people and different groups in society. We
have held talks with the ELN, which we hope will allow us to begin formal negotiations.

There is a very long way to go, of course. But there now exists among us the conviction that
we in Colombia can also silence the guns, and achieVe peace. This implies the great
challenge of consolidating the dialogue process with the insurgents, and undertaking far-
reaching political, economic and social transformations, which Colombia requires so as to be
a prosperous and peaceful country, with equality of opportunities.

I must repeat to you, as prominent members of the international community, that no insurgent
group and nobody engaged in armed con?ict in any part of the world, can claim to be relieved
of any obligation to comply strictly with the norms and principles and international
humanitarian law. Its application does not depend on political status: it is a universai ethical
imperative, which binds States and non-States alike. Nobody can abdicate from this ethical
code, in any action, or in any situation. 

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A key factor in these efforts has been the support and solidarity for our Diplomacy for Peace
in friendly peoples, governments, and international organizations. Colombia is grateful for
such support, for the many voices of encouragement, and co-Operation by international
community. Now, as we are ready to take the process deeper, we need that political support
and facilitation from friendly countries more than ever before.

We rely on the Non?Aligned Movement and other countries and organizations represented
here, with the certainty that the con?ict solution in Colombia is also a matter of interest to the
world. Expressions of solidarity and support from the Member Countries of the Non Aligned

Movement will be an invaluable additional stimulus for us to pursue the quest for national
reconciliation in Colombia. .

My friends,

Another of the great challenges, which the international community must face today, is the
scourge of corruption. Sadl it is a cancer, which has penetrated deep into all organs of
power, blocking our road to progress and social justice.

The referendum, which I have called, justly interprets the will to create institutional
mechanisms and means to combat corruption ef?ciently.

Corruption is us. Its stranglehold has reached all branches of public life. But
good examples begin at home: we have started the house-cleaning operation in the
Executive, and will not let up until Colombia is corruption-free.

Today I invite you to join efforts in this urgent world crusade for transparency.
Ministers, Heads of Delegation, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In closing, i would like to express my appreciation and satisfaction for the great response to
the holding of this Ministerial Conference. The presence of such distinguished visitors and the
active participation of Member-Countries in the preparatory stages are a guarantee for the
successful result, which we all expect.

Our group faces an immense challenge and has a formidable ?ght to pursue: to foster the
construction of a new order in international relations, based on democracy and equity. We the
Member?States, without exception, must all contribute every ounce of our strength to this
noble enterprise.

If we join our efforts around this urgent cause, we will be able advances, with a ?rm step,
along the path of the new century. I am con?dent that the political capacity of the Non-Aligned
Movement will allow us to take part, from a position of strength, in the design of a world order
of equity, transparency and solidarity, which will regulate globalization and help to distribute
its bene?ts.

As Argentina?s Ernesto Sabato wrote, ?Solidarity acquires a decisive place in this leaderless
world which excludes difference. When we make ourselves responsible for out neighbour?s
grief, we acquire a purpose in life which places us above the fatalities of history.?

Thank you very much.

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STATEMENT OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF COLOMBIA, MR.
GUILLERMO FERNANDEZ DE SOTO, UPON CLOSING THE NIINISTERIAL
CONFERENCE OF THE MOVEMENT OF NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES, CARTAGENA,
APRIL 8- 9, 2000

Your Excellency, Nkosazana DIamini-Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa

Honorable Ministers and Heads of Delegation

Distinguished Delegates of the Observer Countries and Organizations
Special Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

We have completed our tasks. For Colombia, as the host country for the Ministerial
Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, it is a particular honor to share with you the great
satisfaction derived from the successful results achieved in our work.

When Colombia accepted the responsibility of serving as the headquarters for this Ministerial
Conference, we did so with pride and conviction, and fully aware of the enormous challenge
that presenting a renewed and solid political platform posed to the countries of the Movement
upon starting a new millennium. Today, we can give a positive 'report on this
accomplishment.

The documents adopted at this important meeting, the constructive and united spirit that
prevailed during the deliberations, and the high level of political mobilization observed are a
testimony to the Movement?s vitality and its new projection within the international scenario.

Vl?th the mandates approved, the Movement now' has clear guidelines for continuing in its
struggle to build a more humane and equitable global order and promote greater
democratization of international relations. Hereinafter, our voice shall be heard with renewed
attention.

Honorable Ministers and Heads of Delegation,

We have reaf?rmed our conviction in the principles of non-alignment. The Movement has
come out strengthened and with greater con?dence to be present and exert its political power
within the international arena.

Upon examining the impact of globalization, we have concluded that issues such as trade
liberalization, human rights and environmental problems, among other things, have
implications that go beyond borders and are exercising a notorious in?uence on the
traditional concepts of international politics. And we have understood within the Movement
that international cooperation and political dialogue are the necessary solution for facing the
reality of these phenomena in a way that is compatible with the principles of our group.

Likewise, we have reiterated that in order to reduce the risks of marginalization in a world
caught up in a rapid globalization process, it is necessary to promote active and broad
participation in decision-making processes at an international level. \Mthout such
participation, our vulnerability will be greater. The Movement must insist on making global

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decision-making more representative and transparent. This is a prerequisite for promoting a
global system of comprehensive, fair and non-discriminatory economic relations.

The Conference has given the Troika of the Movement, comprised of South Africa,
Bangladesh and Colombia, a clear mandate to continue promoting dialogue with the
developed countries, particularly with a view to conveying the Movement's issues of interest
to the next G-8 Summit to be held in Okinawa, Japan in July of this year. On that occasion,
the Movement shall insist on the need for said dialogue to be based on mutual bene?ts and
interests, shared responsibilities and genuine interdependence.

In that regard, we shall take the initiative so as to keep the results of the recent Ministerial
Conference of the World Trade Organization from translating into additional deterioration of
the multilateral system in the economic forum. For this purpose, we have de?ned the basic
criteria that must orient future commercial negotiations, taking into account the interests of
the Non-Aligned Countries and other developing countries.

We shall also give the same priority to the high level meeting summoned by the United
Nations General Assembly for the year 2001, in order to address the issues related to
development ?nancing. We shall promote that event as a valuable opportunity for discussing
the formulas that make it possible to cover the needs of the developing countries and we
shall also continue to further the reform of the international ?nancial system.

We have agreed that the Movement shall continue to exercise all its political influence so that
the international community seek out solutions to the expectations and aspirations of
thousands of millions of people that inhabit the planet who are living in conditions of
backwardness and deSpair. We understand that that commitment is a necessary condition
for our group to be truly signi?cant to the peoples of the developing world. But, above all
else, because it is the only organization that can allow them to make their voice heard within
the global scenario.

That is why we have expressed our commitment to contributing to accelerating the
implementation of the commitments assumed in the Summit on Social Development and
ensuring that the revision of said implementation, that will take place in June of this year, fully
coincide with the purposes of eradication of poverty, generation of employment and social
integration. Likewise, we shall also make sure that the Special Session of the United Nations
General Assembly on the subject of Women, which is also to be held in the middle of the
year, translate into effective measures for incorporating the perspective of gender into the
multiple dimensions of development.

Distinguished participants,

Based on this Ministerial Conference, we, the countries of the Movement, shall intensify our
political action to insist that the process of nuclear proliferation be reverted and the world
head towards true disarmament, especially in the case of mass destruction weapons. All of
the States, regardless of their condition and'size, have not only the interest but also the
commitment to contributing to the elimination of the dangers of a nuclear con?ict.

The elimination of mass destruction arms and the setting of speci?c deadlines for said
purpose, as well as the termination of the growing use of sophisticated conventional
weapons, are essential requirements that the Movement will continue to demand in order to
give true stability to international peace and security.

 

 

 


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To this wiil be added our efforts to revert the illegal traf?cking of small arms. The Movement
shall play an active part in the Conference summoned by the United Nations on this issue.
We shall promote the most extensive participation of the Non-Aligned Countries and other
Member States of the United Nations in that important Conference, as well as during its
preparatory process.

We have also promised to reinforce the Movement?s presence in the ?ght against illegal
drugs, emphasizing the need to reduce their consumption in the buyer countries. The
Movement has insisted on the need to promote new alternatives for development that offer
income opportunities to the most vulnerable populations and thus discourage illegal drug
production,

In addition, the deliberations that begin this Monday, April 10 in Vienna within the framework
of the Tenth Congress of the United Nations on Crime Prevention and Treatment of
Delinquents will be a good opportunity for us, the Non-Aligned Countries, to reaf?rm our
commitment to combat transnational crime, in accordance with the mandates agreed to at
this Cartagena Conference. in this regard, we must promote the broadest possible
participation of the Movement?s member countries in the negotiations aimed at the adoption
of the International Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Distinguished Delegates,

With the results achieved at this Ministerial meeting, we have been able to update the
Movement?s vision regarding the new concepts of international peace and security. This will
give us a greater capacity of proposal so that such concepts be compatible with the reduction
of tensions and con?icts. It is in this spirit that we have exhaustively gone over international
peace issues, including regional situations that affect Movement countries. In its statements,
the Conference has formulated new recommendations and has given all of its support to the
efforts to be undertaken for peacefully solving existing disputes.

Within this context, we must underline the request formulated by the Non-Aligned Movement
here in Cartagena so that all of the parties involved in a con?ict ensure due respect and
adherence to international humanitarian law, in such a way as to exclude the civilian
population from any act of violence or other actions that violate its rights and liberties.

The Movement shall insist that any new orientation on security-related issues must be
translated into the acknowledgement of the role of the United Nations as an institution
created for peace and development. The UNO must be empowered to fully play its role of
regulator of international reiaticns, as the only institution with the possibility of ensuring
equality among the States. It is, in addition, the only institution where democratic principles
can be fully applied.

Recently, the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations in relation to con?icts
between States has been questioned. In the Movement, we have a clear perception of what
we want from the United Nations. In that regard, we shall maintain a ?rm position so that the
Security Council preserve its main responsibility in_ maintaining international security and
peace, consulting the principles of democracy, representativity and transparency.

We shall give top priority to our participation in the Millennium Summit and the United Nations
Millennium Assembly. There we will have the opportunity to articulate our vision on the

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challenges of this new era. We shall present speci?c proposals for projecting the role of the
United Nations into the 21st century, particularly in the ?elds of peace, security, disarmament,
development and the eradication of poverty.

Honorable delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

In a few hours the South Summit shall begin in Havana. \Mth it, undoubtedly, the path will
be left opened to a new era of greater equity in economic relations. The Summit will be a
unique opportunity for addressing key aspects regarding globalization, North?South relations
and South-South cooperation, including the issues of know-how and technology. Recent
developments in the giobal economy have again made evident the imperious need for the
developing countries to arrange a positive agenda. In this sense, the Havana Summit shall be
a historical milestone.

Distinguished delegates,

Now, at the end of this intense activity, allow me to express the satisfaction and immense
gratitude of Colombia for your diligent performance, for your dedication throughout these
days of arduous work.

Now, when we have entered the new millennium, the Movement?s decision to build a
peaceful, prosperous and equitable world has found new impetus, a new reason for being.
This is our greatest contribution to the Movement?s cause, our contribution to the signi?cant
and relevant role we expect it to play in the international scenario.

With this Conference, we have been able to write a vaiuable page in the history of the
Movement and in the tremendous task that we must pursue in a resolute and constructive
manner in order to consolidate our common action to the bene?t of peace, justice and
democracy.

We look forward to meeting again soon and hope that your stay in Cartagena will instill in you
the best memories of Colombia, its image, its history, and its peeple.

Thank you very much.

 

 

 

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STATEMENT OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF SOUTH AFRICA, MS
NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA, CHAIR OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT, AT THE 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE, CARTAGENA, APRIL 8-9, 2000

Your Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Ambassadors, Distinguished Delegates

Eighteen months ago, the Summit of the Non-Aligned Heads of State or Government meeting
in Durban, South Africa, unanimously adopted a declaration in which we proclaimed: ?We
now stand on the threshold of a new era. An era that offers great opportunity, yet poses a
special danger for the developing world?.

Our Movement further declared, ?We see powerful processes that continue to marginalise
many countries of our Movement. We see the twin forces of globalisation and liberalisation
having adverse social and economic consequences, which add to the burdens of everyday
life in much of the South".

Excellencies,

Today, we are here at this great and historic city of Cartagena to review how far our
Movement has come since Durban. African delegations have arrived here via Cairo where
they participated in a historic Summit of African Heads of State and their European
counterparts. This is a further step to enhance our regional dialogue with the North. We
emphasized that the struggle against poverty is also a struggle against genocide, war and
instability. There has to be a common commitment and obligation to end poverty and
underdevelopment among the countries of the North and South. In our dialogue with the
North, we have to stress the urgent need of debt relief for the developing countries. This is
just some of the reason it is in the interest of the North to enter into partnerships for
development. There has to be a strategic partnership on issues of trade and devel0pment.

From here we go to Havana, Cuba where the South Summit will provide us with a unique
opportunity to act in solidarity in addressing the problems faCing the South. We have to re?ect
on the major economic challenges facing the developing countries in the context of
globalisation which continues to threaten the sovereignty of states.

Excellencies,

In meeting the many challenges facing our countries, we must remain inspired by the many
successes of the past which made our Movement such a pivotal factor in international
relations. We must remind ourselves that our Movement always mobilised for causes which
were concerned with humanity as a whole. We were always committed to the great moral
issues of our time. We should continue to be at the forefront in highlighting global problems
and articulating action-oriented, achievable solutions. We must become more effective in
projecting our Movement as responsible and an equal partner in the search for global
solutions.

Our Movement has to debate the issues of importance, not only of importance to the South,
but also to the North, such as the issue of the reform and the role of the United Nations. We
need to define humanitarian intervention, otherwise others will de?ne it for us.

However, the challenge for us to guard against delays in formulating a coherent response
within the Movement. We need to ensure that we are able to ?nd common ground on political

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and economic issues that are of shared concern to all our Members. Speaking at the opening
of the NAM Ministerial Meeting last September in New York, the Chairman of our Movement
President Thabo Mbeki asked: ?Are we taking up the challenges of today, or have we allowed
ourselves to be transformed into an organization comprising Governments that periodically
speak with one voice at Conferences and Summits, yet act unilaterally without reference to
agreed policies after that? Can we really be effective if our procedures and methods of work
only allow us to move at the pace of the slowest, or the most dif?cult Member of the
Movement? Clearly none of us can accept that inaction should characterize the nature and
practice of the Movement?. This question has been asked, we have not yet answered it. How
do we address issues that come in between Summits.

Excellencies,

As Chair, we are conscious of the challenges that lie ahead. We realise that unity is essential
if our Movement is to impact on global events. At the same time, we know that the rapid
changes in the political and economic environment place added importance and urgency
upon us to come up with solutions that meet the new challenges.

South Africa is at its halfway mark in serving as the custodian of this Movement. We shall
continue to consult the Membership through the various mechanisms at our disposal and
work to enhance the dynamic role for the Movement in the 213t century. At this ?rst meeting of
NAM Ministers in the new millennium, we have the opportunity to chart a course and lay the
foundation that will see our Movement continue to be relevant in the search for solutions in a
world that is changing very fast.

Thank you.