U.N. pushes Golden Rule
(David P.)
President of the 63rd Session of the General Assembly
23 September 2008
Miguel D’Escoto Brockmaa (Nicaragua), acknowledging the
large scale and interrelated crises facing the world today,
called for Member States to seize the opportunity to work
together collectively and cooperatively -- not by making
speeches and statements of good intentions, but through
concrete action based on the “golden rule” that guided
humankind’s behaviour. The United Nations’ illustrious
history clearly reflected its many laudable actions.
However, the fulfillment of its primary purpose --
eliminating war, achieving disarmament and ensuring
international security –- had clearly failed. The pressing
& man-made problems of climate change, efforts to privatize
water, the build-up of arms, terrorism, human trafficking,
the situation of Palestine, humanitarian aid, gender
inequality, children in especially difficult circumstances
such as armed conflict, as well as the fact that half the
world are living in hunger and poverty, could be directly
linked to the lack of democracy in the United Nations.
Noting that decisions with the most serious consequences
did not go through the General Assembly, & that the wishes
and resolutions of 95 per cent of the Organization's Members
were viewed as “recommendations”, he expressed his belief
that unless this changed, significant progress towards the
targets established in the Millennium Declaration would be
impeded. Indeed, if Member States did not choose a path of
solidarity with one another, the very existence of the human
race would continue to be jeopardized. “Either we love one
another or we all perish; either we treat each other as
brothers and sisters or we witness the beginning of the end
of our human species.”
He reminded the Assembly delegations that the peoples of the
entire world turned to the Member States and the gathering of
Heads of State and Government to be assured of a universal
commitment to defend the United Nations, to uphold the
principle of the sovereign equality of all Member States,
and for all Members to meet their Charter obligations so that
the continued & successful efforts towards a world-wide peace
be ensured and protected. Recalling that 2009 was the Int'l
Year of Reconciliation, he urged Member States to determine
to stop the arrogant attacks on one another and to adopt a
mindset of reconciliation, collaboration and courageous
forgiveness to those who had caused pain and suffering.
“Forgiveness is never a sign of weakness,” he said, emphasizing
that achieving broader levels of unity and solidarity would
guarantee the possibility of a different and more prosperous
world.
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http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/untour/subnor.htm
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