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Statement by
H.E. Mr. Halldór Ásgrímsson
Prime Minister of
at
the
Sixtieth Session of
the
General Assembly of the United Nations
Mr. President
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of
Newly independent in 1946, the Icelandic people sought the clear
recognition of sovereignty which membership of the UN gives. The need to
reinforce the country’s security through membership of an organisation committed
to maintaining peace and security in the world was also an important
consideration.
The sovereign equality between nations provided by the UN Charter, the
promise to live in peace as good neighbours and the condemnation of armed force except in
the common interest; all these were valuable principles which the new
But
It is my view, that up to now, the key commitments to the peoples
(rather than just to the governments) enshrined in the UN Charter have not been
given their due weight. The text proposed for endorsement makes significant
strides towards redressing this balance.
In particular, we have established the concept of the responsibility to protect. This idea is
implicit in the UN Charter. It is
therefore right that this summit underlines the responsibility that governments
have to their people – and the duty of the international community to intervene
in a timely and decisive manner if national authorities manifestly fail in
their responsibilities.
With the creation of the Human
Rights Council the UN will obtain a powerful tool in persuading states to
live up to their responsibility to protect.
It is in line with our decision to increase resources to the human
rights machinery and will equip the UN to fulfill its duties towards its
peoples, those individuals whose human rights need watchful and impartial
protection. Work on this project must proceed rapidly.
The decision to establish a Peace
Building Commission will provide another tool which will help to create a
better future for individuals and nations.
Large strides have been made on development
matters. Still there is far to go if
we are to attain the Millennium Development Goals. The clear recognition of the
particular problems of
The
Mr. President,
The United Nations has made a great difference to many but it has also
failed many. If we do not reform the
Security Council, we will lack the necessary strength and power to protect and
to secure and maintain peace.
Finally, Mr. President, we believe