Castro: Democratise the UN
Cuban President Fidel Castro addressed the XI Summit of the Non-aligned Movement at Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on October 18. Below is an abridged version of his speech. Our
reason d'etre may have sustained changes but it has not ceased to exist. Never before, since the inception of our movement 35 years ago, have we been so rebuffed and ignored in international politics, or so discriminated against and neglected when it comes to development aid and credits; never before was the international economic order so unjust and one-sided. The sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the countries of the South have never been so jeopardised; never before has our independence been so threatened, nor such flagrant interference in our internal affairs been so strong. The threat of war among the big powers has diminished but instability, social violence and the ethnic conflicts have expanded in different regions of the globe. Entire communities bound by history, economy and even blood have been divided, confronting and even going to war with each other. Today insecurity and poverty have increased, while globalisation impacts on our peoples like a straitjacket preventing the implementation of national policies different from those dictated by the North. Total privatisation and trade openings, at whatever cost, are presented as the only viable formula of success. The hardly mentioned Third World external debt grows steadily and, combined with unfair terms of trade, constitutes the main obstacle to development today. Presently, the debt is over the hallucinating figure of US$1.5 trillion. Unemployment keeps growing and social development is being ruthlessly sacrificed. Is it reasonable that certain economic models imposed by the most developed societies and their specific patterns of political organisation should become universal mirrors and the unique yardsticks of legitimacy and righteousness? How long are we going to silently watch the absurd wastage of resources by the opulent societies, and the criminal mortgage of our children's future in this unbridled race toward a global ecological disaster? The production and trade of increasingly sophisticated and lethal weapons is growing. Later the Security Council, where the main weapon traders seat as permanent members, will intervene as a peace carrier on behalf of the United Nations. Has the end of the Cold War, by any chance, resulted in a more noble use of the enormous resources previously committed to the arms race? The US Congress approves higher military budgets than requested by the government. What are these weapons for? The emergence of a uni-polar world has encouraged the hegemonic tendencies that act above the United Nations. There is the intent to impose the will of the hegemonic power on the Security Council and use it to subjugate the world. That policy is more alarming and dangerous when positions are formulated by extreme right-wing groups which seem to be gaining considerable political ground in the United States. In the face of this danger, it is our duty to resolutely strive for the democratisation of the United Nations, so that the General Assembly takes its rightful place and the Security Council ceases to encroach on its functions and act behind its back. The privileges should cease and the permanent member status should no longer be an almost exclusive attribute of European nations, the nuclear powers, or the overly wealthy nations. Let's fight resolutely so that, in an extended Security Council, two more permanent memberships are given to Latin America; two to Africa, which has none; and two more to Asia where 60% of the world's population lives. The irritating veto privilege should at least be amended. Let's put an end to the absurdity that, among the few specially privileged, one country alone can override the will of the rest. United, we are a force. We are not just spectators. This world is our world too. No one can replace our united action, no one can take the floor for us. United, can we reject the unjust global political and economic order that some intend to impose on our peoples. Our demands will not be spontaneously conceded. Compromising with the exploiters, acting with the weakness of the coward, or neglecting the struggle for our most sacred and legitimate rights will not give us victory. Only loyalty to the principles that gave life to our movement, the firmness of our convictions and the determination of our concerted actions will lead us to the future our people deserve.