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ADDRESS TO THE
PLENARY SESSION OF THE
MILLENNIUM SUMMIT OF THE UNITED NATIONS
September 7, 2000
New York
Mr. President,
I will begin by expressing Canada’s outrage at the murder of innocent,
unarmed humanitarian personnel in West Timor. Those who attack UN staff attack
this Organization, and undermine the purposes and principles we have all come
here to reaffirm. It is incumbent on the Indonesian Government to bring the
perpetrators to justice.
As we mark a new millennium, the United Nations is the world’s
indispensable institution. And Canada is unshakably committed to its common
goals and shared vision. I am pleased that the Secretary General is using this
millennium watershed to focus our attention on reforming the UN. I wish to
assure him that Canada will be a creative partner in this effort.
Canada’s embrace of the UN reflects our common values and shared
experiences. An incredibly diverse nation, we are deeply committed to freedom,
tolerance, justice, and equality. We know the sense of community that comes from
sharing prosperity and opportunity. We have experienced what human ingenuity and
creativity can achieve when they are free from want, free from fear and free
from war.
In the new century, Canada’s vision is of a world in which all people enjoy
these same blessings.
The UN is our best hope to marshal the common sense of purpose needed to
realize this vision. But it must meet the challenge of change.
Extreme ethnic nationalism, in places like the Balkans or Central Africa, is
a stain on our humanity. It also greatly complicates the task of peacekeeping,
which must now include mandates to protect civilians under threat. And these
mandates must be matched with commensurate resources.
As one of the original architects of
peacekeeping, and one of its foremost practitioners, we urge all member states
to be guided by the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s panel on UN
peacekeeping operations.
We must work harder to deny the agents of violence and conflict their sources
of supply. By halting the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. And by
controlling the illicit trade in diamonds. We must keep moving ahead with
initiatives that put the security of people first. The Ottawa Treaty on
Landmines and the Statute on the International Criminal Court are milestones
marking our way.
This month, Canada will host an International Conference on War-Affected
Children. I am also pleased to announce that Canada, with the support of
interested foundations, is leading the establishment of an independent
International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. Our Foreign
Minister will shortly outline the rationale and mandate of the Commission.
Alleviating world poverty is our common cause. We must share the benefits of
globalization. We must give it a human purpose and a human face.
The poorest countries require access for their goods to export markets.
Faster, deeper and broader debt relief should be pursued vigorously through the
Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative. We must ensure that development does
not degrade the global environment.
And we must bridge the digital divide. We must ensure that the benefits of
the information revolution are shared by all. That is why Canada endorses the
creation of a United Nations Information Technology Service.
As former Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson used to say: "The UN
must be a symphony orchestra, not a string quartet." For that to happen, it
has to be supported in all respects. Politically and financially.
All members must pay their bills.
Mr. President, with the will and the resolve, the United Nations will remain
the world’s indispensable institution in the 21st century.
And Canada is committed to being an indispensable partner.
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