51ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AGENDA ITEM 38:
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE
ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE

STATEMENT BY
H. E. AMBASSADOR DR. ISTVAN NATHON
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE REPUBLIC OFHUNGARY TO THE UNITED NATIONS

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12, 1996

Mr. President,

Hungary, as member of the OSCE Troika has had the opportunity, during the past three years, to play a particular and honoring role in the Organization. During this period the Organization itself has changed a lot. Since the Budapest Summit in 1994, when the Conference has obtained its present status as organization, its agenda has been growing so as to enable it to face a number of old and new challenges in our region.

After the historic changes in Central and Eastern Europe in the early nineties, one of the most fundamental tasks was the elaboration of a new kind of security approach in the region, the creation of a new type of cooperative security system the participants of which would be able to enjoy all the benefits of a comprehensive and indivisible security. The shaping of this new system has been taking place in a very difficult period, when many countries in the region have to face the hardships of the transition to market economy with all the accompanying social and economic problems as unwanted consequences.

Another serious source of tension is - very regrettably - the great number of ethnic conflicts. In recent years questions relating to the observance of minority rights have become one of the greatest challenges for OSCE. Unfortunately, we have several examples in the OSCE region where - in striking contrast with the aspirations of nations and ethnic communities to seek to promote those rights by democratic, parliamentary means - some have wished to have their intentions recognized by means of violence and arms. These actions have resulted not only in the loss of lives, economic devastation and poisoning future generations with hatred, but have left many people without home and created hopeless, uprooted refugees. OSCE is committed to strengthen the stability of the region, to contribute to the peaceful settlement of tensions through diplomatic means, as well as to help remedy the situation in crisis-ravaged areas and facilitate the return, in safety and dignity, of refugees and internally displaced persons, in conformity with international standards.

Some days ago at the Lisbon Summit the heads of State and Government of the participating States of the Organization gathered to take stock of OSCE's achievements and set up its future agenda, while assessing the situation in the region. Their declaration emphasized that the Organization should focus on security-related economic, social and environmental issues. To this end OSCE should concentrate its efforts and means on identifying the risks to security arising from economic, social and environmental problems, discuss their causes as well as potential consequences and take preventive action if possible. The declaration also stressed the importance of the protection of human rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions to further eliminate the possible sources of tension as well as the necessity of enhancing the Organization's conflict prevention arsenal, with special regard to a reliable early-warning system.

There were ample lessons we have been forced to learn during the past couple of years before being able and ready to set up such priorities. Undoubtedly, the saddest of all was the one taught by the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia and the war in Bosnia that followed. In the wake of the Paris Peace Agreement that brought peace to Bosnia after a long, savage war, OSCE was entrusted by the international community to take up a major role in the peace-building process. The most important element of these tasks was to organize and monitor the elections in the country. OSCE performed this role among extremely difficult circumstances. Though we cannot say that these elections were fully free and fair we are assured that they helped open up the road for the Bosnians towards real democratic values. The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council has recently requested OSCE to take up a new role in the municipal elections to be held next spring in Bosnia. OSCE is ready to contribute to the efforts of the international community in bringing peace, stability and prosperity to Bosnia, however, in order to preserve the Organization's credibility, we deem it essential that the Organization have enough time and all the necessary resources at hand to be able to prepare and organize these municipal elections successfully.

Mr. President,

My delegation fully supports draft resolution A/51/L.52, now before us. Hungary has consistently devoted particular attention to the development of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and arrangements. We welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General to invite regional organizations last February to discuss the possibilities of further enhancing their relationship with the United Nations and to find new and concrete forms for cooperation as well as to identify those areas of common interest where this kind of cooperation can produce maximum result.

Undoubtedly, regional organizations have a greater role in the international relations than ever before. The world has changed since the United Nations as the only universal organizations was established. With a view to the emerging new types of conflicts and to the diversity of economic, social, humanitarian and environmental problems a regional organization can act in many cases promptly and effectively to detect the needs and find appropriate solutions. On the other hand, the international community can make good use of the specific experiences, capacities and resources of these regional organizations while dealing with regional and local conflicts. We should emphasize that this kind of division of labor can spare financial and valuable human resources alike, which can be used more effectively to meet other needs.

The constructive working relationship between the United Nations and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has already testified the advantages of international division of labor. There is room for further strengthening the existing partnership since a broad spectrum of possibilities has yet to be exploited. The two organizations should make better use of their comparative advantages and complementary features and have a more effective coordination to avoid unnecessary duplications.

Bearing in mind the objectives of the United Nations and of OSCE it is obvious that the most important field for their cooperation is the maintenance of peace and security in our region. The United Nations and OSCE have the same commitments in promoting confidence to avoid conflicts. To this end, further elaboration of common early warning systems, joint efforts in preventive diplomacy and post-conflict peace-building are areas our future efforts should be aimed at. Monitoring human rights and coordination in the field of the safe return of refugees and displaced persons also give ample opportunity for cooperation.

Mr. President,

I would like also to take this opportunity to express my delegation's appreciation to the Permanent Observer of Switzerland in his capacity as the representative of the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE for his devoted and efficient work during this whole year. I also wish much success to the delegation of Denmark which will assume the Chair for the year 1997 and welcome the Permanent Representative and the delegation of Poland in the capacity as the incoming member of the Troika to whom we proudly pass the torch on.

Thank you, Mr. President.