A/47/PV.104 General Assembly

This morning I should like to invite the General Assembly to consider, under agenda item 19, "Admission of new Members to the United Nations", the positive recommendations by the Security Council on the applications for admission to membership in the United Nations of Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco. fhe Security Council has recommended the admission of Eritrea in document A/47/953 and the Principality of Monaco in document A/47/954. The draft resolutions concerning the admission of these new members are contained in documents A/47/L.61 and A/47/L.62. In connection with draft resolution A/47/L.61 on the admission to membership in the United Nations of Eritrea, in addition to the countries listed in that document, the following countries have become sponsors: Algeria, Australia, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya. Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, (The President) Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, the Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yemen. (The President) In connection with draft resolution A/47/L.62 on the admission to membership in the United Nations of the Principality of Monaco, in addition to the countries listed in that document the following countries have become sponsors: Australia, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Treland, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yemen. We shall consider first draft resolution A/47/L.61 on the admission of Eritrea to membership in the United Nations. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/47/L.61 by acclamation? Draft resolution A/47/L.61 was adopted (resolution 47/230).

I therefore declare Eritrea admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request Protocol to escort the delegation of Eritrea to its place. The delegation of Eritrea was escorted to its place.

We shall now consider draft resolution A/47/L.62 on the admission of the Principality of Monaco to membership in the United Nations. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/47/L.62 by acclamation? Draft resolution A/47/L.62 was adopted (resolution 47/231).

I therefore declare the Principality of Monaco admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request Protocol to escort the delegation of the Principality of Monaco to its place. The delegation of the Principality of Monaco was escorted to its place.

It is my pleasure on this historic occasion to welcome, on behalf of the General Assembly, Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco as full Members of the United Nations. I congratulate Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco, as well as the United Nations, on the admission of its 182nd and 183rd Member States. JI am confident that these newly admitted Member States will contribute to the General Assembly and to the United Nations efforts in addressing the issues in international relations that lie ahead, I wish the Governments and the peoples of Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco peace, prosperity and success in the future. On behalf of the United Nations and the General Assembly, I wish to assure you of our full support as you take your rightful plazes in the international community as free, independent, sovereign and peace-loving States. I now call on the representative of Senegal, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States. Mr. CISSE (Senegal) (interpretation from French): On behalf of the Group of African States, over which I have the honour to preside in the month of May, it is a personal pleasure for me to convey our warm congratulations to the peoples and the Governments of Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco on their admission as the 182nd and 183rd members of the United Nations. The admission of Eritrea, which has come about precisely one month after the proclamation of the independence of that country, is the international community's formal recognition of the Eritrean people's freely expressed will at the referendum of 23-25 April 1993, by an overwhelming majority, to take its place in the concert of nations as an independent and sovereign country. After several years of fratricidal war, a peaceful and democratic settlement prevailed. Thus, the way has opened up to the consolidation of peace, stability and cooperation in the subregion of the Horn of Africa and throughout the whole continent. The Group of African States bids welcome to the newly independent and sovereign State of Eritrea to the United Nations and assures it of its wholehearted solidarity. We are convinced that the international community will extend all necessary assistance to the Eritrean people for the consolidation of its independence and the achievement of its objectives of economic and social development. We have no doubt that as a Member of the United Nations Eritrea will make a valuable contribution to the achievement of the noble ideals of the Charter. Allow me to convey to President Issaies Afewerki, and to the Government and the people of Eritrea, our congratulations and wishes for success in the Assembly. As I extend once again, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Senegal, current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the congratulations of the Senegalese nation and its Government, I should like to add my own personal sentiments. It is a great honour for Senegal to have sponsored the admission of Eritrea to the United Nations. The admission of the Principality of Monaco today as the 183rd Member of the United Nations undoubtedly paves the way towards the achievement of the principle of universality for our Organization. It also reflects the international community's recognition of and respect for the independence and sovereignty of the Principality of Monaco and the already remarkable role it has been playing for so long in the world arena. Its admission to the United Nations will enhance the promotion of the noble ideals and objectives of our Charter. The States members of the African Group are convinced that this new Member State, which today is taking its rightful place in the Assembly, will make an exemplary contribution to the strengthening of international peace and cooperation. Senegal, which since its independence has maintained excellent relations with the Principality, is happy to see it admitted to the United Nations. President Abdou Diouf has asked me to convey to the delegation of Monaco his feelings of friendship and good wishes. To Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco, whose presence we hail in the Assembly, Africa says: welcome.

I call on the representative of China, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Asian States. Mr. CHEN Jian (China) (interpretation from Chinese): On behalf of the Asian Group, I wish to express our warm congratulations to the Governments and the peoples af Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco on their admission to membership of our Organization. This marks a significant event in the political life of both countries. What is worth mentioning in particular is the fact that with United Nations assistance Eritrea attained its independence through a plebiscite held net long ago and today has become a State Member of this august world Organization, This is indeed a double happiness. In the present international situation both the status and the role of the United Nations are becoming increasingly important. The admission of Britrea and Monaco at this time has further strengthened the world Organization and enhanced its universal representation, I sincerely hope and believe that Eritrea and Monaco, having become Members of the United Nations, will be guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter in making their own contributions to the noble objectives of the United Nations and to the promotion of world peace and development. The Asian countries are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with Eritrea and Monaco.

I call on the representative of Latvia, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States. Mr. BAUMANIS (Latvia): As the current Chairman of the Group of Eastern European States, I have the honour, on behalf of the members of the Group, to address our best wishes to the Government and the people of Eritrea and to the Government and the people of the Principality of Monaco on the occasion of the admission of Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco to (Mr. Baumanis, Latvia) membership of the United Nations. The admittance of a new State is always an extraordinary occasion because it marks another step forward in the process of completing the universality of the United Nations. The Group of Eastern European States looks forward to working together with Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco in the United Nations. The admission of these new Members will bring new perspectives and ideas which will ameliorate future discussions and contribute to the fulfilment of our common objectives as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations.

I call on the representative of Bolivia, who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group. Mr. SERRATE CUELLAR (Bolivia) (interpretation from Spanish): It is most gratifying for me to participate in this meeting of the General Assembly on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group to express our Satisfaction at the admission to the United Nations of both Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco. The inclusion of these two countries once again reflects the universality of our Organization. The coincidence of their simultaneous admission bears witness to the democratic identity that today characterizes the international community. On the one hand, Eritrea, an emerging country, for its independence has had to pay the price of all heroic actions: biood, sweat and tears. From the dawn of its history, it lived through a situation of dependency, alternating between empire and colony, until the civil war, which it endured for 15 years to consolidate its existence as a sovereign State. On the other hand, Monaco, so closely linked since the twelfth century to the process of the formation of the so-called 01d World, today is coming to us bringing, like letters of introduction, the modernity of its institutions, the soundness of its economy and its commitment to the principles that guide our Organization. The peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean have always seen the peoples of these two countries as brotherly, although from conceptually different standpoints. As for Eritrea, the land of courageous people, we associated them in our minds with the nightmare of war, and we shared their social and human tragedy. As to Monaco, we identified them as an extraordinary crossroads of Latin cultures and traditions that made us dream of marvelous visions of castles and fairy tales. (Mr. Serrate Cuellar, Bolivia) Nevertheless, two countries that are so distant and yet so similar, so different and yet now united under the umbrella of this institution, two countries, each with its own specific features and its own problems, were seeking their space in the world and their legitimate place in the sun. The symbol of their admission to this universal forum, coincidentally on the same date, also reflects the outlook of the community of nations at this moment. Today we all know that peace is development, development is justice, justice is equity: and in the vast ocean of differences, in the final analysis, all of us are in the same boat - a participatory boat. In accepting them into our midst, we are also committing ourselves to work together under the sign of solidarity. For Eritrea, hope; for Monaco, the standing of its presence here; for both, the path to integration; and for all of us, the challenge of unity. We know that our new colleagues will become part of the climate of cooperation enshrined in the Charter. We know that they will join in the common effort to achieve the goals that form the philosophy guiding us all, seeking an equality that goes beyond formal positions to become an endeavour designed to eradicate poverty, which is today the principal discriminatory barrier still affecting all of humankind - those who endure it and those who tolerate it. Both States, Eritrea and Monaco, contemporaries in their timeless maturity and now in their adherence to the Charter, represent, in a sense, the two poles under which the problems of the world are being debated today, a world deeply committed to finding global solutions. The future is theirs. We are certain that both will play an active part in the process of peace and of human and sustainable development, as is increasingly characteristic of (Mr. Serrate Cuellar, Bolivia) the United Nations, and that they will bring to this task not just their historic experience but a true determination to serve the ideals that the United Nations represents. We welcome them.

I now call on the representative of Italy, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States. Mr. FULCI (Italy): On behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States, I have the honour and the privilege to welcome the two new Members to the United Nations family. Their admission constitutes a further step by our Organization on the path towards universality. It bears testimony to the strength and vitality of the values and ideas embodied in the Charter. It demonstrates a readiness on the part of the new Members to work together with all other nations of the world for the enhancement of international political, economic and social cooperation. We are especially pleased that Eritrea, after 30 years of hostilities and war, is taking its place in the international community. Its admission marks the end of a long and painful struggle in the Horn of Africa, culminating in the incontrovertible outcome of a referendum which was carried out democratically and monitorec by the United Nations and other international bodies. The political maturity demonstrated by the people of Eritrea, as well as their commitment to peace, stability, democracy and cooperation, augurs well for the destiny of the new State. The other new Member is the Principality of Monaco. It is one of the smallest States of Europe, yet also one of the most ancient and beautiful ones. Its founding dates back to the thirteenth century. Since then, it has (Mr. Fulci, Italy) been able to preserve, or, following times of adversity, to regain its cherished independence. Among its many contributions to the international community, its distinguished tradition in the field of oceanography is appreciated by scientists the world over. We are certain that both new Members, each in its own way, will participate actively and positively in the work of our Organization. In this time of rapid change, all Member States ~ be they large or small, ancient or new - bear a responsibility to strengthen the role of the United Nations as the only universal instrument for fostering political, economic and social development, for ensuring the respect of human rights and for preserving international peace and security. It is in this spirit and with these feelings that we warmly welcome Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco as new Members of the United Nations, We wish them well.

I call now on the representative of the United States of America, the host country. Mrs. ALBRIGHT (United States of America): As the host country of the United Nations, the United States, with great satisfaction, joins the other members of the General Assembly in welcoming Eritrea and the Principality of Monaco to membership in the United Nations. The free and fair United-Nations-monitored independence referendum held in Eritrea was a fitting conclusion to the peaceful negotiated settlement of its long-standing dispute with Ethiopia. Our fervent wish is that parties involved in conflict in other areas of the globe will learn from the example set recently by Eritrea and Ethiopia and will seek peaceful solutions to their differences, solutions that will enable their citizens to resume normal, productive lives. We wish Eritrea the greatest success in its endeavours to establish a democratic form of government and a free market economy. The Principality of Monaco and the United States have historically enjoyed excellent relations. Our frienship is grounded upon a shared commitment to advancing the cause of peace and prosperity for all the world's people. Although new to this Organization, the Principality of Monaco is not new to international affairs. Over the years it has participated with a great sense of responsibility in a number of international bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Health Organization. We therefore welcome the Principality of Monaco to membership in the United Nations today. We believe that the world community will benefit from the contributions of these two new Members. ADDRESS BY MR. HAJI ALI, CHAIRMAN OF THE DELEGATION OF ERITREA Mr. Haji Ali, Chairman of the delegation of Eritrea, was escorted to the rostrum.

I now have the pleasure of inviting the Chairman of the delegation of Eritrea, Mr. Ahmed Haji Ali, to address the General Assembly. Mr. HAJI ALI (Eritrea): On this historic day for Eritrea, permit me on behalf of the people and the State of Eritrea to express appreciation for the action taken by the General Assembly and for the kind words representatives have spoken about my country. The people and the Government of the State of Eritrea are pleased to accept membership in the United Nations - the world community of States. In a referendum held from 23 to 25 April ~ which was determined to have been free and fair by a variety of observers, notably the United Nations - 99.8 per cent of the voters in a turnout of 98.5 per cent of the Eritrean people voted for independence. The peaceful and democratic resolution of the Eritrean case through the referendum has consolidated peace and stability in the region and will contribute to future cooperation and progress in the region and in the continent of Africa. Membership in the United Nations is of special significance for Eritrea, because of the United Nations role in deciding Eritrea's future in the 1950s, and because of the Organization's special responsibility. We thank Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and the Member States for their role in supporting the referendum and our membership in the United Nations. We hope the United Nations and its Member States will also play an active role in supporting reconstruction in our country, which has been devastated by 30 years of war. (Mr. Haji Ali, Eritrea) Once again, we are pleased to accept membership in the United Nations, and we wish to express our commitment to fulfilling our obligations as a State member of the world community. ADDRESS BY MR. JACQUES DUPONT, MINISTER OF STATE OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO

The Assembly will now hear an address by the Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco. Mr. Jacques Dupont, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, was escorted to the rostrum.

I have great pleasure in welcoming the Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, His Excellency Mr. Jacques Dupont, and in inviting him to address the General Assembly. Mr. DUPONT (Monaco) (interpretation from French): Permit me at the outset, on behalf of Prince Rainier III, his Government, the Parliament and the community of Monaco, to thank members sincerely for their support for the application of the Principality of Monaco for admission to membership of the United Nations. TI also wish warmly to thank the the Secretary-General, the members of the Security Council and the many States that lent their support to our candidature. Over the centuries since its foundation in the thirteenth century by the Grimaldi family, our country has forged its own identity. Our history is marked by many key dates, but for us 28 May 1993 will remain an outstanding day in our history: I can assure you that all the people of the Principality will see it in that light, as it fills them with deep emotion and great pride. How could we fail to appreciate the honour of sitting as a full-fledged Member of an Organization dedicated to rallying to the service of (Mr. Dupont, Monaco) peace and security the nations that have committed themselves to the principles solemnly enshrined in the Charter? Those principles are based on the rule of law, on justice, on freedom and on respect for the sovereignty of States, and the Principality has always been deeply dedicated to them. Let me recall that Monaco has spared no effort to help spread those fundamental values. Early in this century, Prince Albert I, a committed scientist, built the magnificent oceanographic museum that stands to this day. He knew that only the progress of learning could bring happiness to mankind, and established an international peace institute to study how disputes among nations could be settled by the sole means of arbitration. Some years later, Prince Louis II created a medico-legal commission; early in its existence, it established a code on respect for human life in time of war. The commission was to play a key role in the drafting of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols. Since 1955 Monaco has enjoyed Observer status in the United Nations. We have been a member of many international agencies, often from their establishment; these include the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Health Organization, in which it plays an active role. In 1975 we signed the Helsinki Final Act, and have contributed to the work of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. (Mr. Dupont, Monaco) Indeed, on our territory we have the headquarters of such intergovernmental organizations as the International Hydrographic Organization, the International Laboratory of Marine Radioactivity, which operates under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the International Commission for Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea, of which Prince Rainier is the current President. This is to say that Monaco's admission to membership in the United Nations is part and parcel of a long tradition of participation in international life and that my country is prepared to continue, in the spirit of its past endeavours, to contribute by all means available to it to promoting the principles governing the United Nations. But beyond the threats to peace and security with which the United Nations is grappling today, there is one of particular concern to Monaco: the breakdown of the biological balance on our planet which, in the long term, is just as likely as conflicts to threaten human life on the planet. Prince Rainier has worked tirelessly for years, and most recently at the Rio Conference, to point out that peril and to affirm the necessity of effective protection for our environment through enhanced cooperation by all States, especially in the development of action at the regional level. I therefore cannot fail to express the hope before this forum, in which so much effort has been devoted to peace, that we will mobilize to face that danger. In applying for membership in the United Nations, the Principality of Monaco has sought to affirm its deep conviction that the establishment of a world community living in peace and development can be achieved only through respect for and strict observance of the principles adopted in 1945 in San Francisco. The Assembly has just welcomed us int) its midst, and it is in that spirit that Monaco, now a full Member, will work within the United Nations.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I thank the Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco for the statement he has just made. Mr. Jacques Dupont, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, was escorted from the rostrum.

I should like to announce that the flags of Eritrea and Monaco will be raised at a ceremony which will take place in front of the delegates’ entrance immediately after the adjournment of this plenary meeting.

We shall turn first to the request concerning the first item. May I take it that the General Assembly, on the proposal of the Secretary~General, wishes to include in the agenda of its forty-seventh session an item entitled "Financing of the " and to allocate it to the Fifth Committee? It was so decided.

The Chairman of the Fifth Committee will be informed of the decision just taken. We now turn to the request concerning the second item. (The President} May I take it that the General Assembly, on the proposal of the Secretary-General, wishes to include in the agenda of its forty-seventh session an item entitled "Election of judges 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" and to consider it directly in plenary? It was so decided. The meeting rose at 11.30 a.m.