PARLIAMENT.RA £Cr 19 F KOFI A. ANNAN TOAST AT LUNCH WITH PARLIAMENTARIANS HOSTED BY SIR NICHOLAS BONSOR Lancaster House, London. 26 February 1997 I am honoured to be meeting with this eminent group of parliamentarians. Indeed, when one hears the word "parliament", one thinks immediately of your magnificent building on the Thames, and of the vigorous democratic process that is always on display in its chambers and halls. You are thus the custodians not only of your constituents' hopes and interests but of a powerful global symbol. DiJ_ILJLl 1 MAY I 5 1997 Parliamentarians provide the United Nations with an essential link to international public opinion. Without such a link, it would be extremely difficult to build recognition, understanding and support for our efforts. Parliamentarians are also increasing their participation in United Nations activities. Many have participated in Member State delegations, engaged in informal consultations with the Secretariat, contributed to the preparation of international conferences and convened, along with parliamentarians from other countries, their own international conferences. By all these actions you are a dynamic force for democratization at the international level. In that spirit I would like to propose a toast: To our host, Sir Nicholas Bonsor, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; To all members of the British parliament, and to parliamentarians everywhere, And to the closer involvement of parliamentarians in United Nations activities in support of democratization within States and within the international system. Thank you. RIFKIND.RA ""J ' "'-' •' y '•' •*'" • •" ,„, 19Feb97 f„*.<-..,„,./' ,../ ,-, \ i'b-'J- V w KOFI A. ANNAN TOAST AT DINNER HOSTED BY THE RT HON MALCOLM RIFKIND London. 26 February 1997 It is a pleasure to be in the United Kingdom again, and to meet again with the people of the United Kingdom - - Government officials, parliamentarians and members of civil society. These encounters continue to impress upon me the United Kingdom's steadfast commitment to multilateralism and to the great global project of international cooperation for the common good. His Excellency Prime Minister Major has said that the world is changing, and that the United Nations must change with it. I agree. That is why we are reforming the United Nations. Reform is not an imposition. Rather, reform is the vital means through which we are adapting politically and institutionally to the new global era. As you know, a great transformation is under way. We are adapting peace-keeping and humanitarian assistance to new circumstances. We are bringing greater coherence to development efforts. We are creating a mission-driven institution devoted to enhanced performance, higher productivity, full accountability and increased cost-effectiveness. I am committed to working swiftly in those areas within my authority. But I also need your understanding and support. As an exemplary global citizen, the fifth largest contributor to the regular budget and a strong supporter of peace-keeping, development and human rights, the United Kingdom will be a leading actor in meeting the challenges ahead. I would therefore like to propose a toast: To our distinguished host, His Excellency the Right Honourable Malcolm Rifkind, To the Government and people of the United Kingdom, And to ever closer collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United Nations so that the world Organization can fulfil the world public's high expectations. Thank you. TOAST PRONONCE PAR LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL DE I/ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES A L'OCCASION DU DINER OFFICIEL OFFERT PAR L'UNESCO Paris, le 1 er mars 1997 Monsieur le Directeur general, Excellences, Mes chers Collegues, Mesdames, Messieurs, C'est pour moi une reelle joie que de me trouver id, parmi vous, au siege de TUNESCO. Depuis longtemps, j'eprouve de I'admiration pour mon ami Federico Mayor. Mais je dois dire que, depuis que j'a! ete elu Secretaire general des Nations Unies, cette admiration redouble chaque jour. En deux mois, j'ai pu mesurer la tache ecrasante de celui qui accepte -- sans doute avec une certaine inconscience -- de diriger une Organisation internationale. Et, en pensant que Federico Mayor est a la tete de I'UNESCO depuis maintenant dix ans, j'en viens a penser que notre Directeur general est decidement un surhomme ou7 a tout le moins, un homme exceptionnel. ]e veux done lui dire qu'il est, pour tous ses collegues, un exemple, non seulement d'endurance, mais aussi d'attachement aux grands ideaux de TOrganisation mondiaie. On a coutume de dire que I7ONU et les Institutions specialises constituent "la famille des Nations Unies". Jamais je n'ai , ! trouve ce terme plus exact que ce soir. Car c'est bien a une reunion de famille que je me sens ici convie, grace a la chaleur de votre accueil et a la cordialite de votre hospitalite. t •?• Cela ne fait que confirmer I'etroite symbiose qui existe entre I'UNESCO et I'ONU. Cela me conforte aussi dans le desir de resserrer, toujours davantage, nos liens et notre cooperation. Nous sommes, en effet, entres dans une periode de I7Histoire ou les peuples ont besoin de retrouver des valeurs et des references. Les mutations rapides du monde, la circulation effrenee des informations, la mondialisation de I'economie apportent certes des *J• '' > •* *•*. *ljfh progres reels et offrent des espoirs immenses aux generations futures. ( ^ Mais elles sont aussi porteuses de dangers et d'incertitudes. Des peuples desempares ou marginalises peuvent etre tenths par les V 7 exces du fanatisme et de I'intolerance. r i 1 ? &*t' II est done necessaire que les Organisations Internationales apportent aux hommes et aux femmes de ce temps, non seulement les mecanismes de la paix, mais aussi ce que Federico Mayor aime appeler si justement "une culture de la paix", elle-m£me fondee sur une culture de la democratic. Cela suffit a dire que 1'UNESCO et rONU ont a travailler V< ensemble pour faire emerger ce monde nouveau qu'avaient pressenti : ; - ffrC^i les Peres fondateurs de ncu institutions. ]e me plais a le dire. Car, avec la Declaration universelle des droits de rhomme, j'estime que le Preambule de I'Acte constitutif de 1'UNESCO et celui de la Charte des Nations Unies figurent parmi les textes les plus eiev^s produits par la Communaute Internationale et par la conscience universelle. Nous avons la un lourd heritage. Et nous avons le devoir de nous en montrer dignes. A cet egard, I'enthousiasme et la conviction des personnalites rassemblees autour de nous, ce soir, sont pour moi autant d'encouragements et de signes d'esp^rance. 10 Je vous remercie done de me permettre, en quelque sorte, de puiser aupres de vous une partie de I'energie qui m'est necessaire pour remplir ma tache de Secretaire general des Nations Unies. Merci a vous, Monsieur le Directeur general. Merci a vous, mes chers Collegues. 11 Merci a vous toutes et a vous tous, Mesdames et Messieurs, de temoigner ce soir, par votre presence, de votre attachement aux valeurs universelles et humanistes qui fondent ['Organisation mondiale. Je vous remercie. * *** * 12 Toast at dinner hosted by Stephen M. Schwebel, ,,- President of the International Court of Justice !-W?S"i^W» %•'•'.- ''iiP$ '•%• '' ;si*l?!:' "fs'EB'lv? The Hague, 2 March 1997 fefeiS-ii&f:-: :;3iv,i:yi*l I am pleased to be in the Netherlands, and especially gratified to have this opportunity so early in my term of office to obtain a first-hand look at the International Court of Justice, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. I would like to take this opportunity to salute the Court for two recent milestones. Schwebel toast - 2 Last April, the Court celebrated its 50th anniversary. During that time it has advanced international law on a range of issues, including land frontiers, maritime boundaries, fisheries, territorial sovereignty, the non-use of force, diplomatic relations, hostage-taking, the right of asylum, nationality, rights of passage and more. In 1995, the Security Council filled a vacancy on the Court by electing Ms. Rosalyn Higgins of the United Kingdom as the first woman judge in the court's history. This step was long overdue. As you know, the current representation of women at senior levels in the United Nations leaves much to be desired. Schwebel toast - 3 We have a full simte of working meetings tomorrow. I will sdso In that spirit, allow me to propose a toast: To our host, Judge Stephen Setswebel, congratulations on your election this month as President of the Court; Schwebel toast - 4 To all the other judges, To the host city, the Hague, and host country, the Netherlands, Let us, together in the years ahead, ensure that the International Court of Justice is provided with the support you need and deserve. Thank you. TOAST AT LUNCH HOSTED ^ ' BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN THE HAGUE, 3 MARCH 1997 IT IS A PLEASURE TO VISIT THE NETHERLANDS AGAIN, AND TO MEET AGAIN WITH THE DUTCH PEOPLE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE STRONG SUPPORT THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE NETHERLANDS HAVE ALWAYS PROVIDED TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AND FOR YOUR LONG PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO MULTILATERALISM AND TO THE GREAT GLOBAL PROJECT OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR THE COMMON GOOD. THE NETHERLANDS IS PUTTING THAT COMMITMENT INTO PRACTICE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IN ANGOLA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST, DUTCH SOLDIERS ARE SERVING WITH UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS, CONTINUING A LONG-STANDING TRADITION. IN AFRICA, THE NETHERLANDS STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE CONTINENT'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY RELIEF AID. AND HERE AT HOME, THE NETHERLANDS PLAYS GRACIOUS HOST TO ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF THE UNITED NATIONS — THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE - AND TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THIS IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. IN SHORT, THE NETHERLANDS IS AN EXEMPLARY GLOBAL CITIZEN. IT IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY 36 COUNTRIES TO HAVE PAID ITS ASSESSMENT FOR 1997 IN FULL. THE WORLD IS CHANGING, AND THE UNITED NATIONS MUST CHANGE WITH IT. IN THIS DIFFICULT TASK, I NEED YOUR SUPPORT. I WOULD THEREFORE LIKE TO PROPOSE A TOAST : TO OUR HOST, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN; TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE NETHERLANDS; AND TO EVER CLOSER COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND THE UNITED NATIONS IN OUR JOINT STRUGGLE TOWARDS PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL PEOPLES AND ALL NATIONS. THANK YOU. *** * *** Toast at dinner hosted by Antonio Cassese, President of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia The Hague, 3 March 1997 I am honoured to be with you this evening. I have had a fascinating day seeing the International Tribunal and International Court of Justice at work. In my previous job I grew quite accustomed to spending time with our renowned "blue berets" -- soldiers and other military personnel guarding cease-fire lines and humanitarian convoys. Today I have met with defenders of another kind - defenders of the rule of law. It has been a profoundly gratifying experience. Cassese toast - 2 Consider the accomplishments the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has made in the brief period of its existence. It has advanced the development of international criminal law. Its work will have a significant impact on the efforts under way to establish an international criminal court. And perhaps most importantly, it has helped promote healing in the aftermath of a brutal conflict. For all these reasons, the Tribunal merits the international community's profound gratitude and its ongoing political and material support. Cassese toast - 3 I should also like to pay tribute to our host tonight, *•>.' practitioner with strong feelingsabout £»™ ^ and the development of »*™*?V"£; £ Tribunal make expertise have been crucial in helping me its mark on world affairs. Cassese toast - 4 In that spirit of real accomplishment, I would like to propose a toast: To President Antonio Cassese, To the Judges, Prosecutors and their staffs, To the International Court of Justice, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, To our host city, the Hague, and host Government of the Netherlands, Let us praise all of their dedicated work in furthering the rule of law - one of the essential pillars of a just world society. Thank you. Toast at lunch tiosted by the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence of the Netherlands The Hague, 4 March 1997 It has been a privilege to visit the Netherlands again and to have met with such a vibrant cross-section of the Dutch people — Government officials, members of civil society and others. The Netherlands is arnoeg the best friends of the world Organization, and I look forward to working closely with you in the years ahead. Netherlands PM/FM - 2 His Excellency Prime Minister Wim Kok has said, "We must determine what it is that we want from the United Nations and how much we are willing to pay, politically and financially, in order to let the Organization do its work". I agree wholeheartedly. Meaningful reform of the United Nations must be rooted firmly in a consensus among Governments on the UN's role, functions, responsibilities and priorities. Netherlands PM/FM - 3 As you know, a great transformation is under way throughout the entire United Nations system. We are adapting the organization — managerially, structurally and politically — to the new global era. I am committed to working swiftly in those areas within my authority. But I also need your understanding and support. The Netherlands understands this. That is why it is playing a leading role, taking a particular interest in reform of the Economic and Social Council so that the Organization's development activities can be strengthened and made more coherent. i^^-SWr^^&£^^3^ Netherlands - 4 The UN Charter is as relevant today as ever. The United Nations can not solve every problem in the world, but it can use its many comparative advantages to great. Thus I would therefore like to propose a toast: To our hosts, His Excellency Wim Kok, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands; His Excellency Hans van Mierlo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and His Excellency, J. Voorhoeve, the Minister for Defence; To the Government and people of the Netherlands; Netherlands - 5 And to ever greater cooperation between the United Nations and the Netherlands so that the world Organization can fulfil the world public's high expectations. Thank you.