SG/SM/5820

SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES CANADA'S COMMITMENT TO UNITED NATIONS AT OTTOWA GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S LUNCHEON

Depuis sa cr�ation, l'Organisation des Nations Unies sait qu'elle peut compter sur le Canada. Car votre pays a su sans rel�che - y compris dans les moments les plus difficiles - affirmer fortement sa foi dans les valeurs et dans les principes de l'Organisation mondiale.

Croyez bien que je vous suis tr�s reconnaissant de d�fendre avec une telle constance nos id�aux et de soutenir avec une telle vigueur notre action au service de la communaut� internationale.

En tant que Secr�taire g�n�ral des Nations Unies, c'est pour moi un r�el plaisir et un v�ritable r�confort que de me retrouver, aujourd'hui, parmi vous, en terre canadienne.

En cette ann�e o� nous c�l�brons le cinquanti�me Anniversaire de l'ONU, les Canadiennes et les Canadiens ont montr�, plus que jamais, leur attachement � l'Organisation mondiale. Et je veux saisir cette occasion pour exprimer ma profonde gratitude au Comit� national canadien pour le cinquanti�me Anniversaire, et lui dire combien, sous l'impulsion de l'Ambassadeur Douglas Roche, son travail de mobilisation a �t� exemplaire.

Mais je voudrais souligner aussi les liens multiples qu'a su tisser le Canada, au-del� de l'Organisation mondiale, au sein de grandes institutions internationales, tels que le Groupe des pays les plus industrialis�s, le Commonwealth, la Communaut� francophone ou l'espace nord-am�ricain de libre- �change.

Ce sont les caract�ristiques m�mes de la nation canadienne, ouverte au dialogue et riche de sa diversit� culturelle, qui ont donn� � ses relations internationales leur pleine originalit�.

Ainsi, tout au long des ann�es, le Canada a su �tablir des contacts multiples et vari�s, sur l'ensemble de la plan�te. Des Etats de la Cara�be jusqu'au coeur de l'Europe, de l'Inde jusqu'aux rivages de l'Afrique, le Canada a su cr�er des rapports privil�gi�s sur tous les continents.

- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/5820 22 November 1995

Par l� m�me, le Canada r�v�le son esprit de solidarit�, d'ouverture et de g�n�rosit� envers les autres peuples et les autres nations. Votre pays d�montre aussi le sens de la responsabilit� qui l'anime � l'�gard de la communaut� internationale dans son ensemble, de ses valeurs et de son devenir.

Canada is -- it seems to me -- by its history, its present situation, and its vision of the future -- an exceptionally thoughtful country. One finds that issues which seem new and challenging for the international community have been seriously thought about for some time in Canada. So Canada has gone further than most countries in spelling out its rationale for international action. Last year, through the appointment of the Foreign Policy Forum, Canada began a process of national debate about the objectives of foreign policy. The Special Joint Committee Reviewing Canadian Foreign Policy undertook a nationwide process of consultation.

Canada has recognized clearly that many of its goals can be pursued only in concert with other countries. The report of the Special Joint Committee noted the importance of a multilateral approach. It understood the value of a rules-based international system. It coined the phrase "directed multilateralism" to signal that multilateralism is not incompatible with selective bilateralism.

At a time when vital decisions must be made about the future of the United Nations, some are hesitant, ambivalent or ambiguous in their approach. That is not the case with Canada. Everyday, Canada's strong commitment is expressed through active and creative Canadian involvement in the work of the Organization. It is demonstrated by Canada's informed participation in debates about the mission of the United Nations. It is deepened by Canada's own clear approach to a world which is challenged at one and the same time by the dialectical forces of globalization and of fragmentation.

Democratization will be the key to the resolution of the great contending forces of our time. Democracy will be essential for the better world we all seek. Here, too, Canada is a leader in stimulating discussion and promoting action. I welcome the Canadian Government's commitment to democracy as a source and an objective of Canadian foreign policy.

Canada's commitment can be crucial to the future of the world Organization. Canada's advocacy of change is backed by its long record of unwavering commitment to the achievements of the past and to the imperative of moving forward for peace, development, justice and human rights. That is why Canada's voice on the future of the international system carries such authority, and why it must be heard.

I am deeply appreciative of the kind hospitality I have received in the course of my visit to Canada. I am immensely grateful for the understanding and support which the Government and people of Canada have consistently shown towards the United Nations. I invite you to raise your glasses to the Queen, the Governor-General and the people of Canada.

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