18/10/2001
Texte
original (en anglais)
de l'allocution prononcée
par M. Tonino Picula,
Ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République
de Croatie,
lors de la 31e Session de la Conférence générale
de l'UNESCO,
Débat de politique générale,
Paris, 18 octobre 2001.
(Voir
la traduction française)
______________
UNESCO
31st General Conference
General Policy Debate
Address
by
H.E. Mr Tonino Picula, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Head of the Delegation of the Republic of Croatia
Paris, October 18, 2001
Mister
President,
Mr
Chairperson of the Executive Board,
Mr Director-General,
distinguished delegates,
ladies and gentlemen,
We
are meeting at this General Conference to review the results of
the last biennial programme and to set guidelines for the next
biennial and midterm periods at a particularly sensitive and decisive
moment of history.
Following
the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, we are
witnessing a unique and unanimous response of an overwhelming
majority of the international community The global fight against
the scourge of international terrorism is not a struggle between
civilisations or cultures. It is a struggle for elementary human
rights, the rule of law and peace in the world. It is based on
the values of multiculturalism, respect for human life and dignity,
and inter-ethnic and intercultural tolerance. I am sure that you
share my conviction that the new unity of the international community
must be translated, though our common effort, into new achievements
in the promotion of human rights, international peace, stability,
security and overall social and economic development. I am confident
that our organisation will, within its fields of competence, offer
proper answers to the present challenges and with renewed confidence
and vitality lead our common efforts at the beginning of the new
millennium.
It
is our strong belief that disregard and harming of the culture
and values of others is a part of aggression against humanity.
That is why we deeply regret destruction of historical and cultural
treasures and heritage anywhere in the world, as was recently
the case in Afghanistan where the unique Buddhist sculptures in
Bamiyan were destroyed. That was an irreparable loss for humanity
as a whole. We know that all too well, as Croatia has suffered,
during the recent conflict, bombardments of many towns, monuments
and infrastructure. It is ten years since the first attack against
Dubrovnik as well as the ibenik Cathedral, both of which
are treasures on the UNESCO's World Heritage List. I would like
to note that we are encouraged by the initial contacts with the
new Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia concerning
the issue of restitution of cultural and art treasures to Croatia.
We hope that these negotiations will result in the soonest possible
safe and complete return of Croatian historical and art treasures
plundered during the previous conflict, which would give a constructive
impetus to the whole process of normalisation of mutual relations
between our two neighbouring states. Let me, at this point, also
emphasise Croatia's strong support for the activities of the Intergovernmental
Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its
Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation.
Let
me stress our conviction that UNESCO should continue to be guided
primarily by its original mandate: to contribute to peace and
security by promoting co-operation among the nations through education,
science, culture and communication. UNESCO should strive to strongly
affirm itself as a meeting place and forum of a dialogue between
representatives of different cultures and civilisations, to help
forge an even better mutual understanding and confidence among
peoples of the world. By focusing on its mandate UNESCO will fulfil
the precondition for its own and our success. That is a difficult
task, which falls within the responsibility not only of the Secretariat
of UNESCO but of all Member States as well.
UNESCO
should be streamlined and geared to the major programme priorities,
the use of the funds available to the Organisation should be focused
on the programmes and used in a more efficient way. At the dawn
of the 21-century, it is essential for the Organisation to remain
open to new ideas and to constantly reform itself, in line with
the best international practices. In doing so it can provide value
for money and continue to enjoy the confidence of Member states
and extra-budgetary funding agencies.
Croatia
welcomes the decentralisation of the Organisation which we perceive
as a way of bringing UNESCO's action closer to the country level,
aligning UNESCO's programmes and activities with the genuine needs
of individual states, improving, at the same time its efficiency
and visibility. The new decentralisation strategy keeps the pace
with today's issues, which are cut across the boundaries of traditional
disciplines and call for the application of comprehensive interdisciplinary
and intersectorial approaches.
Due
to the process of globalisation, today more than ever the Organisation
is called to reinforce the right to education, to strengthen international
scientific and intellectual co-operation, to protect cultural
heritage, to promote media development and to broaden public domain
access to information and knowledge. These tasks are essential
for creating knowledge societies aiming at achieving the greatest
possible equity and social justice and ensuring overall development.
Croatia
is undergoing difficult and complex but necessary social, economic,
and political reforms. In carrying out these reforms, the Croatian
Government strongly adheres to the values of democracy, human
and minority rights, and the rule of law. At the same time, Croatia
is giving its full contribution to the stabilisation of relations
in our part of Europe, and we are contributing, within our possibilities,
to the promotion of peace, understanding and co-operation in the
world. In this spirit Croatia is guiding its activities within
the UN system, especially within ECOSOC. Along these lines we
shall work in the UN Human Rights Commission. That is our platform
for Croatia's activities within UNESCO, as well. We have recognised
knowledge as a principal force of social transformations. In the
years to come, our major challenge is to ensure not only the free
flow of knowledge, but also to build capacity, and skills in terms
of management, expertise and best practices. In this respect we
also look towards UNESCO, which is both a global intellectual
forum and a technical agency.
UNESCO
has a comprehensive mandate under which it can develop a great
deal of know-how and bring in particular strengths to bear in
all of its fields of competence. Focusing on its strengths will
bring further consolidation to UNESCO, and efficiency and visibility
to its worthy activities./.
Thank you.
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