Countries wrap up UN General Assembly debate on world's most pressing problems.
In a closing statement to the UN General Assembly general debate, Assembly President, Theo-Ben Gurirab said nations want a world of peace, security and development for all people.

Mr. Gurirab said regional wars and other armed conflicts featured prominently in virtually every delegate's speech and all agreed on the need to strengthen the international and regional systems of collective security. They encouraged the idea of dialogue and negotiations as a means to resolve differences. There was also a clear call for new forms of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations to advance the cause of peace, justice and development around the world.

In his speech to the Assembly, Arthur R. V. Khoza the Deputy Prime Minister of Swaziland said that the UN's main priority must be the promotion of sustainable international peace and security. "Our collective aim of raising the living standards of our peoples is only possible in conditions of global stability with nations living in harmony," he said. The UN should introduce an effective mechanism of preventive diplomacy to deal with the increase in internal conflicts. In regard to African conflicts, the situation in Angola and Somalia requires the "urgent attention of the United Nations," the Minister urged. While the UN had overall responsibility for global peace, regional organizations must take the lead "as the building blocks towards stability and closer cooperation," he argued.

SEYOUM MESFIN, ETHIOPIAN FOREIGN MINSTER

Mr. President,

The genocide in Rwanda is a source of shame for Africa, but it was also a
reminder of the double standards that Africa has been subjected to. That
Somalia and its people have been left to their own devices regardless of the
consequences for the people of Somalia and for the peace and stability of
their neighbors, is yet another indication of the types of conflicts which
elicit or, fail to elicit, the serious concern of those who count for
galvanizing the efforts of the UN for action to discharge its
responsibilities for collective security. Why should it matter to those who
set the agenda for what the Security Council does if the chaos in Somalia
became a breeding ground for terrorism as long as the threat is limited only
to those who have little voice in the Security Council?

The conflict in Somalia is indeed complex, but it is no more complex than
other conflicts in other parts of the world. Somalia is in turmoil, and has
been for the last nine years, Mr. President, not because the crisis is
intractable, but because Somalia is neglected. Somalia has failed to be on
the top of the UN agenda, not because it has no legitimate claim to be a
priority for the UN collective security System, but because the interests of
those who count is not affected. This also applies more or less to Angola and
Sierra Leone, and earlier to Liberia. In short, the UN has failed Africa and
it is now standing one foot into the next century with this record. In
connection with Somalia, while I am at it, Mr. President, I should like to
state that Ethiopia, the country mandated by the OAU to follow on and assist
in the resolution of the crisis in Somalia fully supports the initiatives
expounded by H. E. Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic
Djibouti from this rostrum last week in his capacity as Current Chairman of
IGAD.