[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E61-E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JOSEPH VERNER REED

                                 ______


                       HON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 1996

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give special recognition 
to the remarks of the Honorable Joseph Reed, Under Secretary General of 
the United Nations, presented on behalf of Dr. Boutos-Ghali, the 
Secretary General of the United Nations, at the Second World 
Parliamentarians' Conference in Gifu, Japan, in September.
  I am sure we all agree that the United Nations' admirable goal of 
striving to promote and support democratization throughout the world 
deserves our wholehearted support.
  Ambassador Reed's contributions to the work of the United Nations 
continue to serve as an inspiration. Ambassador Reed has held several 
senior-level positions in the United Nations, in addition to serving as 
the Chief of Protocol from 1989 to 1991 and United States Ambassador to 
the Kingdom of Morocco from 1981 to 1985.
  I submit Ambassador Reed's speech in Japan for my colleagues to 
review.

    Statement by Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed at the Second World 
   Parliamentarians' Conference for the Support of the United Nations

       Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman, I feel privileged to be 
     here today on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United 
     Nations, Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who sends best wishes and 
     greetings. The Secretary-General and all of us at the United 
     Nations are grateful for the valuable support you have given 
     us, in good times and in bad times. The Secretary-General has 
     asked me to share the following with you.
       When the first Parliamentarians' Conference for the support 
     of the United Nations was held in January 1992 in Tokyo, the 
     United Nations was entering a new phase. Gone were the 
     bipolar tensions of the cold war. In their place came renewed 
     commitment to the United Nations--to the great common goal of 
     a peaceful and cooperative international system.
       It soon became clear, however, that more than renewed 
     commitment would be required. A massive transformation would 
     be needed to enable the organization to fulfill the goals of 
     the charter in a dramatically different world environment.
       Some three years later, the process of transition 
     continues. Significant and substantial progress has been 
     made. But there is a need for further, substantial reform. 
     The fiftieth anniversary year of the organization offers us 
     an opportunity to complete this process, and bring this 
     period of transition to a successful close.
       It is in this context that you have gathered here in the 
     Gifu for the Second World Parliamentarians' Conference for 
     the Support of the United Nations.
       You have discussed and reached new consensus on the role of 
     the United Nations in many key areas: disarmament and peace; 
     sustainable development and the environment; the United 
     Nations and Asia and the Pacific; and the involvement of 
     citizens and non-governmental organizations.
       Today, the Secretary-General has asked me to take these 
     moments with you to discuss another area of United Nations 
     work: promoting and supporting democratization.
       The end of the cold war confrontation and the emergence of 
     globalization continue to drive a wave of democratization. 
     Since 1989 the United Nations has received requests for 
     electoral assistance from more than sixty member states. 
     These requests, from nearly one-third of the organization's 
     membership, testify to this new impulse toward 
     democratization.
       The United Nations today is in the forefront of promoting 
     and supporting democratization around the world. The emphasis 
     is on democratization as a process, and democracy as an 
     objective.
       Individual societies decide if and when to begin the 
     process of democratization--to move toward a more 
     participatory system of political governance. And throughout 
     democratization, each society decides the nature of the 
     process and its pace.
       Like the process of democratization itself, democracy can 
     take many shapes and forms. It can be assimilated by any 
     culture.
       The benefits brought by democracy make it a compelling 
     objective for those societies on the path of democratization.
       Democracy supports stability within societies by mediating 
     between competing points of view. It fosters respect between 
     states, reducing the chances of war. It creates responsive 
     government that respects human rights and legal obligations. 
     And it favours the creativity and cooperation that permit 
     social and economic progress.
       The United Nations is adapting to the new and increasing 
     demands of member states for support in democratization.
       On 7 December 1994, in its Resolution 49/30, the General 
     Assembly requested the Secretary-General to study ways and 
     mechanisms in which the United Nations system could support 
     the efforts of governments to promote and consolidate new or 
     restored democracies. The Secretary-General was asked to 
     submit a comprehensive report thereon to the assembly at its 
     fiftieth session.
       The Secretary General is now preparing the report. Outlines 
     for a comprehensive approach are emerging. Such an approach 
     will enable the United Nations to offer support for 
     democratization that begins at the earliest possible stage. 
     It could then continue on through assistance in democratic 
     elections, and in the building of institutions which support 
     democratization.
       For democratization to take root within a society, it must 
     have indigenous support. The United Nations assists member 
     states in building such support by helping to promote a 
     culture of democracy. This can mean assistance to political 
     parties and movements; support for a free and independent 
     media; or assistance in civic education.
       Such efforts, combined with electoral assistance, can help 
     member states firmly on the road to democratization. In this 
     regard, recent United Nations achievements in Cambodia, El 
     Salvador and Mozambique deserve wider recognition and 
     attention.
       Electoral assistance to member states is a new phenomenon. 
     The Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs now serves 
     as focal point for electoral assistance requests, with the 
     help of the newly-created electoral assistance division.
       Beyond holding free and fair elections is the evident need 
     for societies to prepare the institutional ground in which 
     democratization can take root. The United Nations offers a 
     wide variety of assistance in this area, drawing 
     substantially upon its work in development and human rights. 
     The United Nations today is helping member states to create 
     democratic structures of Government--or to strengthen 
     existing ones. It is helping to enhance the rule of law. To 
     improve accountability and transparency. To build national 
     capacity. And to reform the civil service.
       This comprehensive approach, now taking shape, reflects the 
     changing nature of requests by member states for support in 
     democratization. It also underscores the need for other 
     actors to contribute. Regional organizations, non-
     governmental organizations, citizens, the private sector, the 
     academic community, parliamentarians such as yourselves--all 
     have an essential and complementary role to play.
       Many of you in this audience, through such organizations as 
     the Interparliamentary Union, or Parliamentarians for Global 
     Action, already provide international support for 
     democratization processes. You help promote a culture of 
     democracy and human 

[[Page E62]]
     rights. You provide electoral assistance. You facilitate the creation 
     and operation of representative institutions. You are valued 
     partners of the United Nations in the effort to promote and 
     support democratization.
       We are convinced that the efforts of states to democratize 
     will find greater stability and an increased likelihood of 
     success when democratization extends to the international 
     arena.
       Globalization confronts governments everywhere with new 
     pressures. Some are economic, political and military 
     pressures from above. Others are pressures exerted from below 
     by local, ethnic or grass-roots organizations.
       These pressures are often mutually reinforcing. Citizens 
     suffering the local effects of problems transnational in 
     scope--such as drug trafficking or environmental 
     degradation--are demanding solutions from their national 
     governments. To meet these demands, governments must 
     increasingly seek solutions through cooperative arrangements 
     or participation in international organizations.
       The new pressures on governments are thus paving the way 
     for an unprecedented democratization of international 
     relations. This process must be recognized, supported and 
     advanced. The institutions and norms of democracy, at the 
     international level, can provide governments with the means 
     to manage global pressures. They can help governments to 
     provide an enabling environment for their citizens.
       For the United Nations, democratization of the 
     international system has become a new priority. Already, 
     the reform of the organization, including the 
     decentralization of decision-making, has taken place.
       This reform needs to be met by reform in the 
     intergovernmental organs of the United Nations. And, in the 
     relationships between those organs and the other elements of 
     the U.N. system. Progress in this area has been slow. But 
     these are difficult and complicated issues. The Secretary-
     General is determined that they should receive their full 
     share of debate.
       There are many other ways in which the United Nations can 
     promote the democratization of the international system. By 
     supporting a free, independent and responsible media, 
     worldwide, the United Nations helps to preserve the principal 
     venue for dialogue and debate within and among nations.
       International law is a powerful tool for the 
     democratization of the international system. It promotes 
     mutual respect among nations and peoples. It provides an 
     analytical framework for approaching problems of mutual 
     concern. It offers a powerful basis for multilateral action. 
     The United Nations provides a forum and mechanism for the 
     advancement of international law.
       Global conferences, convened by the United Nations, create 
     relevant constituencies. They bring together all the state 
     and non-state actors concerned. This not only contributes to 
     the legitimacy and effectiveness of the programmes of action 
     produced. It strengthens participation in decision-making on 
     world affairs. It reinforces democratic principles at the 
     international level.
       The efforts of the United Nations to improve cooperation 
     with actors outside the United Nations system have a similar 
     effect. I refer here again to regional organizations, non-
     governmental agencies, citizens, the private sector, the 
     academic community and parliamentarians. In all areas of 
     work--for peace, development or democratization--cooperation 
     with these actors increases efficiency and effectiveness. 
     And, it strengthens democratic principles and practices.
       During this time of transition, improving cooperation with 
     parliamentarians has taken on an even greater urgency.
       Making the transition to a new international era is no 
     simple task. The new challenges are complex, difficult, and 
     at times, dangerous. Around the world, United Nations 
     personnel are asked to confront unprecedented situations--all 
     too often without sufficient resources or mandates.
       The United Nations needs its member states and their 
     peoples to recognize the complexity of today's challenges. In 
     the task of communication, you, as parliamentarians, can play 
     an indispensable role. You are an essential link between the 
     United Nations and international public opinion. You are 
     uniquely placed to help build recognition, understanding and 
     support for the United Nations and its work.
       Communication must flow both ways. If the new international 
     system is to be legitimate, responsive and effective, all 
     must take part in its creation. As direct representatives of 
     the wills and aspirations of your constituents, you can carry 
     their voices to the international arena. You can help ensure 
     their participation.
       As such, you, parliamentarians, are also a motive force for 
     the democratization of the international system. And you can 
     bring to bear on world affairs your commitment to dialogue, 
     discussion and agreement--to democratic principles and 
     cooperation.
       Today, at the conference, you are fulfilling all of these 
     important roles. You are helping to build support for the 
     United Nations. You are bringing the views of your 
     constituents to the international arena. You are giving 
     strength to democratic principles in the practice of world 
     affairs.
       On behalf of the United Nations, the Secretary-General has 
     asked me to express our deep appreciation to the foundation 
     for the support of the United Nations, to the Gifu City 
     government, and to the Gifu Prefecture.
       Government for sponsoring this important event. This 
     sponsorship testifies to the longstanding commitment of the 
     people of Japan--as individual citizens, through their local 
     and national governments, and through regional 
     organizations--to support the United Nations and its ideals, 
     and to participate in its work.
       To all of you parliamentarians, assembled in this great and 
     beautiful city of Gifu, the Secretary-General extends his 
     sincere appreciation for your efforts. And we look forward to 
     your continued participation as we strive to construct a 
     workable international system for today, and for tomorrow.
       Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, allow me a few words 
     on an event which is close to my heart and, I am sure, close 
     to your heart: the golden jubilee of our world organization.
       As we prepare for the fiftieth anniversary of the United 
     Nations, let us recall the opening words of the charter: ``We 
     the peoples of the United Nations . . .''. We all of us--are 
     the United Nations. The United Nations is now and 
     increasingly will be, what we choose to make of it.
       Knowledge about the United Nations is thus ever more 
     important for people everywhere. With the active commitment 
     of people, the United Nations and continue to play its 
     indispensable role for peace and security, social and 
     economic progress, and global human development.
       Let us take up the challenge of the next fifty years. It is 
     in our power to use the United Nations as a force for 
     fundamental transformation to a world of peace and enduring 
     prosperity. Let this be the starting point for taking your 
     United Nations on the road to the future.
       I thank you for your attention.

                          ____________________