Press encounter with President Rodriguez Echeverria (unofficial transcript)
Press events | Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General
SG: Thank you very much Mr. President, Ministers, and Ladies and Gentlemen, and members of the press. Let me say that I am extremely happy to be visiting Costa Rica. This is a country I've held in high esteem, and I have quoted it as an example to other countries in terms of its progressive approaches to social developments and human rights. And to have had the opportunity to come and see it for myself and to be able to meet you, Mr. President, and talk to the Ministers and key members of your administration who have been involved in the development and the progress of this country. And already in your comments you refer to some forward-looking ideas on paternity law, the way you have tackled the issue of human rights and you're determined therefore to build this society based on rule of law, is an example that quite a lot of the third-world countries would envy. And you're also setting examples that we in the international system would want to replicate in other parts of the world.
Yes, in addition to what the President referred to, we also talked about the Monterrey conference in a few days time where we hope the issue of financing for development will be discussed seriously. We expect about fifty Heads of State or more coming to that Conference and we would hope to be able to discuss increased development assistance, debt relief, effective and urgent debt relief. We would hope to be able to discuss direct foreign investments and the management of the global economy and participation of the third world or the developing countries in those decisions affecting the management of the global economy. And I think we are already seeing interest signals -President Bush made an announcement recently increasing US development assistance by 5 million over the next couple of years.
I think what is important is that there is a shift, a shift in capitals, a shift in political thinking, that we cannot live in a world that is so unequal, a world where so many people are marginalized, and that if we are going to make a difference in this world and expect to have a stable world over the long term, we have to tackle the issue of poverty, inequality, and, yes we should fight terrorism, but that is not the only field that confronts the world. All the problems, all the crises that existed before 10 September did not go away -poverty, conflict, disease. And I think it's even more urgent that we tackle them now, and I am really pleased that this realization seems to be setting in. And then I hope when we get to Monterrey, the donor countries will send out a message that we are going to do something different from now on. We no longer accept business as usual. We no longer accept a world in which we have immense wealth and extreme poverty living side by side, and we seem to accept it and it's no longer acceptable. And if we can send that message out from Monterrey, not just the words, but follow it up with action.
We would also have another chance in Johannesburg in September at the Sustainable Development Conference to do something about this issue. I think we started rather well in Doha, when the World Trade Organization met and agreed to a new Round. But I hope that Round would be the truly development Round that would give the third world the promises that have been made, that the poor would much rather trade themselves out of poverty and not live on a handout, so we say give them a handup not a handout, and I hope that over time this would be done.
On the UN University let me say that I think the University has a great contribution to make. I'm happy to see Martin Lees amongst the audience, I know he's not a journalist, but he is here, I think he has a great contribution to make and we discussed this earlier and we are facing issues of conflict and development that the Institute and the University have a contribution to make and I am happy that we've been able to put together such a dynamic Advisory Board and we are going to do whatever we can to strengthen it, and I can assure you we will do that [inaudible] and keep up the good work. And I want to thank all that the government of Costa Rica has done for the University, to the board members who have given their time, I see several here -Mrs. Sonia Picado- and others, for all the support you've given to the institute. We can do it and lets do it. Thank you very much.
Q: [translated from Spanish]: I would like to ask you, Mr. Secretary-General, what is your opinion regarding the Costa Rican initiative to create a Global Report on Human Rights and a Human Rights Index? What outcomes do you expect from this initiative and what support would you give it?
SG: I've been briefed early about it by the President. And it is also an idea that the Rio Group will discuss and then it would go to the membership at large. But I think the idea of trying to approach human rights in a systematic manner, trying to determine how it is being applied and where it stands in the various countries in a constructive manner that can help the countries develop it further, taking the politics out of it and doing it very systematically, it is going to be very helpful. We are moving from discussion of human rights in conference groups to applying it at the country level, encouraging governments to strengthening the human rights regulations, educating people to know that they have rights, that these rights are theirs, it is not something that can be taken away by a leader or governments. And that awareness amongst the populations that they have these rights are part of the efforts to strengthen the culture of human rights. So if one can have a systematic way of assessing it knowing which country needs help and how to work with them in developing further their human rights institutions and application of human rights law, I think it would be helpful for everybody. I would want to see a constructive and real engagement in our human rights effort and help countries move forward. So I think the idea that Costa Rica has put forward is a very interesting one and I hope the membership, once they have reviewed it, would embrace it.
Q: [translated from Spanish] As a Secretary-General, what do you think about the responsible paternity law of our country, why is it interesting? How can the United Nations Organization guarantee that the rich countries will finance development in poor countries?
SG: On the question of a paternity law, today we are dealing with the problem of children, actually in May we will have the Summit of Children. One of the big issues we have with children, is children in poverty today. And you have more children who live in poverty in homes without a father, in homes where the fathers don't take their responsibility, in homes where they produce babies and move on. And I think this law is going to make them accountable and responsible and I think it will put pressure on them to become much more mature in their behavior but even if they are not, it will make them accountable and responsible. Basically, society is saying we will come out after you. You're not going to get away with this. And I think that sends a powerful message to society and this is what I think is exciting about this law. And I hope other societies will find what you're doing exciting.
On the question of financial transfers from the North to the South, obviously one cannot force governments, rich governments, to give assistance. But I think the rich governments, as I said earlier, are beginning to realize that it is in their own self interest to help the poor. And there are various advantages, not only by helping the poor make a living in their countries and develop their economies. For those who believe in market economies, you are creating markets, you're expanding the markets. Inequality and equity, one will be doing something about that. For those who are concerned about security and the need for us to live in a safe environment, we would also be creating an environment where people can no longer exploit and use as justification, for terrorist actions. And so for all sorts of reasons I believe it's in everyone's interest to work together. And I had a chance in my discussion with the Cabinet to indicate that perhaps we could have blamed ignorance before 11 September last year, but after 11 September it should be clear to all of us that you ignore countries like Afghanistan, to the peril of all. If after the war ended with the Soviet Union, the international community had paid attention to Afghanistan, it would not have become the failed state that it did, it would not have become a haven for terrorists and it would not have led to the attacks on the World Trade Center that shocked the whole world. That attack was an attack on one nation but was an attack on all of us too. Thank you.
Q [translated from Spanish]: Today the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights resigned to her post, and she claimed lack of financial resources as the reason for her resignation. Therefore, I would like to know your comments on this.
SG: For the record, Mrs. Robinson is not resigning. What she has indicated is that she would not seek an extension of her term. Most of you will remember that she resigned last year. No, last year when her term came up, four-year term, she said she was leaving, and then agreed to stay on for another year. That year comes up at the end of this September. And so after September, she does not intend to stay on.
She's done a great job, she's made a contribution, she's put human rights on the map and she's put lots of energy, creativity and courage into a very difficult work. It's a kind of work that every day you make some friends and some enemies. Whatever you say, you offend somebody. But she has brought her drive and application and integrity to the Office and she can leave in the full knowledge that she's made a major contribution.
On the question of budget and money, the UN is always short of money in all our activities, we have done, we've made some efforts over the last few years to give the Human Rights program a bit more money through the regular budget. There was a marginal increase in its budget, when it was approved in December and we're also raising some extra budgetary resources, voluntary contributions, to help the High Commissioner's Office, and that effort will continue. I think human rights has become even more important following the developments of 11 September, and I think we all need to be careful not to believe that there is a trade-off between effective action against terrorism and human rights. We need to be careful to ensure that whole groups of individuals, migrants, and others, are not targeted and are placed at a disadvantage. And so I continue to plea for tolerance and urge that we should respect the primacy of rule of law. Thank you.
Q [translated from Spanish]: I want to congratulate you on your peace contributions as a leader of the United Nations. Lately, an axis of evil theory has been created, and some nations want to use atomic bombs against some countries, therefore I would like to hear you comment on this regard.
SG: I think you are referring to the study, a study that the US is reviewing its nuclear policy. I think there has been a clarification, by Secretary of State Colin Powell, that the US has no plans to launch a military and nuclear attack against any States. I think what is important is that we all respect the NPT, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and that governments avoid taking steps or measures or adopting policies that will make other countries feel that they no longer are bound by the NPT or have to respect it. And so I welcome the clarification that was given by the Secretary of State, and we should all do whatever we can to discourage a new military race.
Q [translated from Spanish]: On Saturday, there was a strong invasion from soldiers that belong to the Democratic Congolese Union, in the eastern part of Congo, apparently supported by Rwanda -as informed by the French Ambassador to the United Nations. What is your opinion on this issue?
SG: We sent UN Military observers to the area, Moliro. They flew over and confirmed that there are troops of the RCD, one of the rebel groups in the town. And they have been asked to leave the town. There are discussions going on as to how they leave it. They have indicated they would want to hand over to the UN. I am not sure we have the capacity on the ground to take over the town. They should not have gone in there in the first place. So I think their decision to leave is a good one and they should be encouraged to do so. And I hope that the Inter-Congolese dialogue, which is taking place in Sun City, South Africa, will resume in earnest and that all the parties will be at the table working in good faith to find a solution to the conflict.
[President Rodriguez EcheverrÃa thanks the Secretary-General for paying this visit to Costa Rica and wishes him well in the next endeavors of this journey through Central América and México].