Handout 1: Creating a Mock UN General Assembly Session about Central America, December 2000
(from Press Release GA/9840, December 4, 2000)
PROGRESS IN REGION STRESSED AS ASSEMBLY TAKES UP SITUATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA; HEARS INTRODUCTION OF TWO RELATED DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
1) Situation in Central America
The report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Central America (document A/54/311) reviews progress made in the 1987 Esquipulas agreement, in which the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua agreed to initiate processes of democratization and national dialogue, bring about ceasefires, and promote free and fair elections.
The Secretary-General states that, in the presentation of their joint resolution regarding the situation in Central America, the Presidents had reminded the United Nations of the resounding success of the peace process in the twelfth year since Esquipulas, noting the consolidation of more pluralistic and participatory political regimes and the gradual development of a democratic culture and respect for human rights.
The Secretary-General observes that the Central American Governments and their peoples continue to advance the cause of lasting peace, human rights, sustainable development and the rule of law, but warns that the difficulties they still faced should not be under-estimated, particularly in reconciling the imperatives of economic growth, stability and equity.
However, the Secretary-General notes with satisfaction the commitment of the Central American governments and the international community to pursue economic growth and sustainable development by building on the foundation of the political and human rights agenda, which is the inheritance of the Esquipulas agreement.]
Introduction of Draft Resolution (to continue the work of the UN to help build peace in Central America)
2) MARION H. CASTELLON DUARTE (Nicaragua), introducing the draft resolution on the situation in Central America, noted that that the peace agreements in Guatemala and El Salvador had indeed led to real peace processes, and that effective participation of the United Nations had been organized. It noted the recent elections and the establishment of democracies in the region. The efforts made by governments were to be commended, he said, particularly those efforts made in mitigating natural disasters and in the implementation of peace agreements in El Salvador and Guatemala. The operative paragraph also highlighted the declaration signed towards regional integration by Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
3) GUSTAVO ALBIN (Mexico), introducing the draft resolution on the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala, said that on the 29 December 1996, 36 years of internal conflict in Guatemala had ended with a broad national agenda for peace. From this time onwards, the United Nations had played an important role in verifying the fulfilment of the various peace agreements. The presence of MINUGUA had been very positive. Guatemalan society had recognized that the United Nations had given certainty and trust to the process of implementation of the peace agreements.
There was consensus among the co-sponsors on the need for MINUGUA to remain in the country until 2003, he said. He underscored that MINUGUA was the key instrument in promoting peace. Guatemala was a success story of the United Nations, and the parties had borne clear witness to the undertaking of the peace process. The international community had witnessed many positive changes in Guatemala, but there were still challenges to be overcome. The co-sponsors of the resolution trusted that the General Assembly would renew its commitment to Guatemala. He announced that the resolution would be additionally co-sponsored by Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Equador, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Peru, the Russian Federation and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
4) GERT ROSENTHAL (Guatemala) said he would confine his comment to the second draft resolution on MINUGUA. Peace had always been the responsibility of the Guatemalan people themselves, however international participation had been crucial and had been crystallized through the United Nations. In short, the United Nations had been indispensable in ensuring the fulfilment of peace agreements. He thanked the United Nations agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) for the role they had played in the implementation of many agreements. An analysis of the implementation showed that much had been done, but much remained to be done.
It was important to recognize that in post-conflict situations, the United Nations presence must not be prolonged or withdrawn prematurely, he said. This was the case in Guatemala. However, while the United Nations clearly played an important role, it was subsidiary to the role of domestic actors. He believed that the United Nations withdrawal needed to be gradual and suggested the extension of the mandate of MINUGUA. He was concerned that the budget of MINUGUA would be cut, and suggested that part of the international staff be replaced with local staff. He said that a budget cut would jeopardize the Mission’s ability to carry out its mandate and the maintenance of peace.
5) SOFIA SALGADO DE GOMEZ (Colombia) said the process of reconstruction in the region had progressed thanks to support of the international community. Peace and democracy could not be solid unless they were given broad and sustainable support. Her region needed a decent level of life, access to healthcare, food and education. Colombia, as part of the group of friends of Guatemala, paid tribute to the advances made since 1996, and the role played by MINUGUA, she said. It was inevitable that there would be obstacles, and the international community should not be surprised at this, but must understand the need to maintain the level of support. Her country supported the resolution for the continuation of MINUGUA in Guatemala.
6) YVES DOUTRIAUX (France), speaking on behalf of the European Union, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, stressed the high priority attached by the Union to the economic and social development of the countries of Central America. The Union was actively supporting those countries in the region that had embarked on structural reforms designed to bring about economic development and social peace. It had adopted a Regional Programme for the Reconstruction of Central America which, together with bilateral donations, was worth 1 billion euros.
He reaffirmed the support of the Union for the initiatives taken to put an end to border disputes in the region, particularly those taken under the auspices of the Organization of the American States (OAS). Stable borders were crucial for peace and security in the region and essential to the achievement of the objectives of peace, reconciliation, democracy, development and justice enshrined in the Esquipulas II Agreement of 1987. The Union welcomed the agreements to adopt confidence-building measures signed by the representatives of Guatemala and Belize in the OAS Permanent Council on 7 November. It was also pleased to note the constructive approach adopted by Nicaragua in deciding to submit its maritime demarcation dispute with Honduras to the International Court of Justice. It reaffirmed its commitment to conflict–prevention measures in the region and support for the creation of a regional mechanism for resolving disputes which might arise between countries.
7) MOTOHIDE YOSHIKAWA (Japan) said democratic governance in the countries of Central America was fundamental to the achievement of regional peace and stability. His country, therefore, welcomed the considerable progress achieved towards the consolidation of peace and the democratic transformation of societies throughout Central America. In order to achieve lasting peace and stability, the root causes of conflict, such as various economic and social problems, must be addressed.
In Guatemala, under the guidance of MINUGUA, the first state of the peace agreements had quickly been implemented with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants. The fiscal pact, adopted in May of this year, would enable the Government to increase spending on programmes related to the peace agenda. Despite such positive activities, serious problems must urgently be addressed. In particular, the need to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, reform the military, National Civil Police and judicial system, as well as strengthen the rule of law. Given that such needs were ongoing, his country supported the extension of the Mission's mandate until 2003. The people of Central America were likewise to be commended for their efforts to address social and economic problems and establish democratic institutions.
8) MARIA ELENA CHASSOUL (Costa Rica) said today there was peace in Central America and all nations were committed to democracy and the respect for human rights and the environment. This situation was a contrast to the deplorable scenario of the 1980s when war, poverty and destruction reigned. Progress was a direct result of a change in attitude, adopted when democracy and respect for human rights had become the pillars of relations between nations. The Central American peoples had rejected war and embraced peace.
The region had enjoyed the active support of the international community, in particular the United Nations, she said. The United Nations had targeted the economic and social causes of the conflicts, and transformed and modernized each of the nations in the region. This had built a broad consensus for national reconciliation, justice and equity for all. This process was a viable model of what was needed to build peace in the midst of war and fighting. There were no longer mass violations of human rights or disruption of the democratic will of the people. The maintenance of the new-found stability required ongoing efforts. It was also vital to close the gap between rich and poor so that all could reach their most basic need.
9) GELSON FONSECA (Brazil) said that his country welcomed the peace agreement in Guatemala and the determination of the people of El Salvador to bring forward their commitment to the process of democratization. Furthermore, the Alliance for Sustainable Development in Central America had shown that the countries were willing to compromise and show solidarity. It was important that the international community continue to show commitment to preventing armed conflict and, through MINUGUA, should continue to support verification of peace process in Guatemala. Brazil had played a role in the whole mechanism of bringing peace and stability to Central America and had made important efforts to humanitarian relief in affected areas.
10) INOCENCIO F. ARIAS (Spain) said that he trusted that the parties of civil society in El Salvador would continue to assist in the implementation of the agreements. It was clear that while much had been done, much remained to be done. He said he hoped that there would be a new calendar for the implementation of the pending commitments in the peace agreements. Spain was proud to hold the meeting of the consultative group in order to consider infrastructure projects to support the development of the region. In general, this had been a good example of United Nations success and management of peace- building and it showed how the international community could help and encourage domestic energies to recover from conflicts. In El Salvador, peace operations had indeed become peace-building operations.
11) WILMER A. MENDEZ (Venezuela) said that along with the part played by the United Nations in promoting peace and democracy in the region, his country would like to highlight the commitment of the peoples and governments of the countries of Central America. It was primarily up to the countries themselves to eliminate the root causes of conflict, with the support of the international community, he said. His country greatly appreciated the contribution made by organizations such as the UNDP and MINUGUA, and supported the request for the extension of the mandate of MINUGUA. Venezuela had participated in aiding the region, and the participation in the San Jose Process.
12) JOSE ROBERTO ANDINO SALAZAR (El Salvador) said that when the General Assembly had begun to look at the situation in Central America, the relations between nations had been characterized by military tensions, with conflicts spreading beyond borders. This situation had been reflected annually in the report of the Secretary-General and showed that there had been a panorama of uncertainty in the region. Thirteen years later, he was happy to see that there had been a significant change in the socio-economic, political and institutional affairs throughout the region through the promotion of human rights, the strengthening of civil society and the promotion of democracy. The experience of war and scourges were not to be repeated again, he said.
Structural problems continued to affect the living conditions of large percentages of the region’s population and must be confronted, he said. The President of El Salvador had established a national programme of integration. The programme consisted of geographic, human and economic integration. This programme would strengthen the institutional stability of the country making it more attractive for investment and would promote the economy of the country so there could be sustainable human development. On a regional level, integration was necessary in the face of the challenges of globalization and in the mitigation of natural disasters. In the specific case of El Salvador, he was pleased about the gradual application of the peace agreements. They had been more or less accomplished in their totality, and the outstanding commitments were getting smaller and smaller.
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