55th Plenary Meeting of General Assembly: 50th Session - Part 1

United Nations support for the efforts of countries promoting and consolidating new and restored democracies was widely commended by speakers in the General Assembly this morning. The plenary was discussing that issue as well as the question of international assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Nicaragua.

The representative of Spain, speaking on behalf of the European Union as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic, praised the Organization's involvement in the consolidation of democracies, and stressed that coordination between the United Nations system and regional and non- governmental organizations was essential. Sustainable development and democracy must be instituted everywhere. "To achieve that goal, funds are needed and the deterioration of the United Nations financial position must be reversed", he stated.

The representative of India said that in supporting democratization, the United Nations should focus on such issues as better terms of trade, enhanced access to markets, increased and stable investment flows, access to technology and the availability of increased overseas development assistance.

The representative of Uganda said that democracy was not a model to be copied but a goal to be attained by all peoples and States, in accordance with their circumstances and peculiarities. Development should also be strongly emphasized for democracy to take root, and it should not end with the holding of fair elections.

Introducing a draft resolution on the subject, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua said that democracy was not an end in itself; it could not resolve the essential problems of society, but it could promote the full involvement of all people in seeking solutions. "This objective can be achieved only in stages." The pace at which democracy proceeded depended on the society concerned.

Nicaragua's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs also introduced a draft resolution on international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction of his country. Reviewing Nicaragua's accomplishments, he said that the country had not been able to progress as rapidly as it would have liked, due in part to the excessive foreign debt burden. He said that most debt holders had accepted the offer of repurchase by Nicaragua with the support of international financial agencies and friendly countries, and called for renegotiation of the remaining debt.

The representative of Germany said his country had recently concluded an agreement with Nicaragua which had resulted in a reduction of that country's debt to Germany by 80 per cent. He expressed the hope that other creditor countries would follow Germany's example.

An appeal was made by the representative of Mexico to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank to continue their efforts to build and consolidate economic development in Nicaragua.

Other statements on assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua were made by the representatives of Japan, Italy and Spain (on behalf of the European Union).

Statements on United Nations support for governments consolidating new and restored democracies were also made by the representatives of Latvia, Malta, Hungary, Romania and Swaziland.

The General Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 13 November, to continue its consideration of support for new and restored democracies and to take up the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council.

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE

For further details please see official record:
A/50/PV.55