MORE DETAILS OF PM BHATTARAI’S ADDRESS TO UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SATURDAY
Kathmandu, 25 Sept.: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Saturday appealed to the United Nations to come forward with a far reaching and comprehensive development package as lip-services and symbolic supports were not enough, The Rising Nepal reports.
Addressing the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai underlined the need of a "new Marshall plan" for rebuilding and reconstruction of the post-conflict countries.
"It is time for a bold visionary step to deal with the complex problems of today," he told the delegates.
He said although the United Nations held a noble vision of peace and security, development and justice and human rights for all, there was a long way to go to achieve this.
"How can one justify the spending of 1.5 trillion US dollars on war weapons every year while more than two billion people across the globe lack basic necessities of food, medicine, etc?" he asked.
"We still face conflicts, deprivation and demeaning poverty all around us. How can we have sustainable peace in the world when there is so much of inequity, deprivation and marginalisation around us? We have to deal with their root causes."
He said that the gap between the poor and the rich states was the highest now.
"The Least Developed Countries, or I would rather prefer calling them Underdeveloped Countries, are facing the full force of negative side of globalisation with their deep structural constraints. Jobless growth is a major challenge for all of us," he said. "The islands of prosperity amidst the sea of poverty are not sustainable. It is morally indefensible and economically undesirable."
He said in a globalised and interconnected world, the destiny of nations was inextricably intertwined. "When my house is on fire, your house cannot be safe, and vice versa," he said.
The recurrence of economic and financial crises, fuel and food crises and the deeper structural crises had vindicated the need to seriously review the current economic paradigm, he said.
"I believe that this is the right time for deeper soul-searching and the creation of a new, just and scientific economic order," he said.
The financial capital-driven ‘globalisation’ process was increasingly exposing its inherent structural deficiency and incompatibility, he said, adding, unless the interest of labour, the basic source of human wealth, was duly integrated in this process, "we may soon have to face the ‘globalisation’ of unrest and upheavals," Dr. Bhattarai said.
He said although the principles and purposes of the United Nations as enshrined in the Charter represented the high ideals of the global community, the age was one of paradox.
"The United Nations should be the principal forum to look at it in a coherent, inclusive and holistic manner," he added.
Presenting a quote that ‘The highest measure of democracy is neither the extent of freedom, nor the extent of equality, rather the highest measure of participation’, Dr. Bhattarai said his government wanted to institutionalize a really participatory democracy for all, particularly the downtrodden ones.
"Nepal’s home-driven peace process and historic transformation are unique and could be a good example for drawing lessons. We believe that transformation has to be holistic to have its long lasting impact at the grassroots. Transformation in political, social and economic fields has to be brought about holistically. It is attainable with dedication, dialogue and consensus building among stakeholders. Like in any other countries, transitional pains and delays are there. But we are united in our vision and we intend to complete the transition process with consensus and cooperation of all the political parties and stakeholders."
He expressed confidence that with international goodwill and cooperation, Nepal would achieve its goals at the earliest.
"In recent years, a momentous transformation is taking place in Nepal. After a long and persistent struggle, a feudalistic and autocratic monarchy has been abolished. We have entered into a new historic era with the creation of a new federal democratic republic of Nepal.
"Today, the new state apparatus is striving to take into account the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural diversity of the country. Abolition of all discriminations and oppression based on class, gender, nationality, region and caste and creating an inclusive democratic system and a just society is at the heart of all our struggles for decades.
"Thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of the thousands of martyrs of the historic People’s War of 1996 to 2006, People’s Movement of 2006, Madhesh Movement and many other oppressed people’s movements that we have come this far to lay the foundation of a new Nepal.
"We have to consolidate these historic gains and institutionalize them in order to establish sustainable peace, justice and prosperity to all. My government is fully committed to doing that
with the conclusion of the peace process and the writing of a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly at the earliest," he said.
He said that the new constitution would not only guarantee the fundamental democratic norms and values but also ensure inclusive, participatory and life-changing democracy for all.
"In this context, I would like to remind this august Assembly of the poignant words expressed from this podium in 2008 by the Chairman of my party, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the then Prime Minister Prachanda, about the landless peasants, downtrodden women, the so-called untouchable dalits and millions of exploited masses of Nepal who are aspiring for liberation from all forms of oppression and exploitation."
Nepal’s foreign policy, he said, was based on fundamental principles of the UN Charter, non-alignment and Panchsheel principles and promotion of regional cooperation through SAARC.
"We would like to be a vibrant bridge between our two neighbours and beyond. At a time when humanity is so much in need of peace, and we all are striving for it, we particularly appeal for the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, as the fountain of world peace through effective international support and cooperation. The International Committee for Development of Lumbini needs to be reactivated at the earliest," he said.
He also thanked the United Nations, especially UNMIN, for providing invaluable support and assistance throughout the peace process.
"We are hopeful that we would continue to receive goodwill and support from the international community in our efforts to institutionalise lasting peace, equity and prosperity in the country," he said.
He said the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) faced severe structural constraints in their development efforts and their vulnerabilities had been further aggravated with multiple crises.
"Despite some good progress in achieving individual goals, LDCs as a group are most off-track in meeting the internationally agreed upon development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration. Rights based approach to development is a must."
He said: "Business as usual is not a solution to the deep-rooted problems. The historically structured process of ‘development of underdevelopment’ needs to be structurally addressed."
He demanded implementation of the Istanbul Declaration and the Program of Action, particularly, financing for development.
"Duty-free, quota-free market access and supply-side capacity must be ensured to LDCs. Investment, technology transfer and private sector development should be promoted in LDCs"
Nepal, in its capacity as chair of LDCs, would make every effort, in cooperation with fellow LDCs to ensure that the issues and concerns of the LDCs remained high on the priority list of the UN development agenda, Dr. Bhattarai said.
He called for addressing difficulties of the Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs), freedom of transit, support for trade facilitation and infrastructure development.
"We must protect the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families to ensure that ‘globalisation’ is fair to all. As Nepal’s economy is increasingly dependent on remittance, this issue is very crucial for us," he said.
He said Nepal had taken the initiative of promoting sustainable mountain agenda in order to highlight their special vulnerabilities and fragilities. "The industrialised countries should bear greater responsibilities for this," he added.
He said that the Rio+20 Summit scheduled for next year would be critical to define a more sustainable development path and eradicate poverty for the LDCs.
He reiterated Nepal’s call for general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction in a time bound manner.
The Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia and the Pacific (RCPD) located in Kathmandu would be instrumental in revitalising the "Kathmandu Process" to facilitate dialogues and deliberations for confidence building in the region, he said.
Nepal unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called for an expeditious conclusion of the negotiations on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, he said, adding, however, that terrorism and struggles for freedom should be differentiated.
"We are fully aware that the protection and promotion of all human rights including the right to development and fundamental freedoms strengthens the sustainability of peace and progress. We have established an independent constitutional body - the National Human Rights Commission as a watchdog institution. We are committed to build and strengthen this specialised national institution as a true custodian of human rights."
He said the General Assembly needed power and authority to work as a ‘world parliament’ and not just remain toothless.
"Nepal supports the expansion in the membership of the Security Council," he said. "Reform must address all the interrelated issues such as representation as well as transparency and accountability in the working methods of the Security Council. The role and contribution of smaller states in the maintenance of international peace and security must be duly acknowledged."
UN role in shaping policy debate on and establishing global norms in economic and financial matters must be strengthened, he said. "Nepal welcomes all efforts aimed at promoting system-wide coherence, including the operationalisation of UN-Women."
Nepal’s participation in UN peacekeeping was long-standing and consistent, he said. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to international peace and security. Nepal has already provided over 80,000 peacekeepers, out of which 62 of our soldiers have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Hence, we would like to call for equitable representation at the leadership level."
Dr. Bhattarai said outpouring of the popular sentiments for change and freedom around the world should be supported based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations. "However, no one should hijack the agenda of democracy for its partisan ends."
The long-drawn-out peace process in the Middle-East was a matter of serious concern for us all, he said. "We must find a comprehensive and just solution to these problems. It is our principled position that we support a fully independent and sovereign Palestine State based on the UN resolutions."
He said Nepal warmly welcomed the Republic of South Sudan as a newest member of the United Nations.
He said the United Nations should not only be the custodian of its noble principles, it must deliver on its promises. "Let it not be a mere umbrella of big powers. Finally, let me reiterate, the UN principles be holistic, and all be pursued in a balanced manner."
He expressed appreciation to Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for strong commitment and dedication in serving the United Nations. "We wish him further success in his second term," he said.
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