UN GENERAL DEBATE BEGINS: OVER 100 HEADS OF STATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000907 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA ECON PGOV PREL AORC KPKO US LY UG QA TX, CI, UA, AG, KN, FR, BR SUBJECT: UN GENERAL DEBATE BEGINS: OVER 100 HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATE ¶1. SUMMARY: Over 100 heads of state and government participated in this year's United Nations General Debate, which opened on September 23, including President Obama for his first Assembly appearance. Most interventions addressed the economic impact of the financial crisis, nuclear disarmament and climate change. UN reform was another common theme with many expressing support for enlarging the Security Council. Latin American countries supported Honduran President Zeleya's return to office. The following spoke: UN Secretary general Ban Ki-Moon, President of the General Assembly Dr. Treki (Libyan),Brazil, United States, Libya, Uganda, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Chile, Algeria, Republic of Korea and France. Full text of statements available on at www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate; video archives are at www.un.org/webcast/2009.html. END SUMMARY ¶2. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon preceded the General Debate to present his "Report on the work of the Organization"(A/64/1) calling for greater global engagement, confronting climate change, nuclear non-proliferation and combating the effects of the global economic crisis. President of the General Assembly Ali Treki (Libya) took the liberty to echo Bon's remarks during a 30 minute statement. He also addressed UN reform, climate change, development in Africa, human rights and the question of Palestine. ¶3. Brazilian President Lula de Silva addressed the economic crisis, "the lack of a stable, representative world governance", and climate change. He called for more regulation of the global economy and reforms of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. He advocated a reformed Security Council that was "open to new permanent members." He spoke of Brazil's work in bio-fuels and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases. He called for ousted President Zeleya's return to Honduras. ¶4. President Obama's address emphasized United States reengagement with multilateral institutions to confront the world's problems. He stated that for too long, opposition to United States policies was reason for inaction. He challenged member states to take action and not blame the United States for inaction. He addressed nuclear non-proliferation and climate change, and announced a re-launching of negotiations to settle Israel-Palestine issues. Full text of statement available at www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate/pdf/US en.pdf ¶5. In a rambling one hour and thirty-six minute speech Libyan President Qadhafi, spoke about his desire to change all aspects of the United Nations. The common charge was the oppression of the many by those in the Security Council with veto powers. He railed against the power of the Security Council (calling it the "Terrorist Council"),advocating early in the speech for its dissolution, yet later pushed for more permanent seats (with veto) for multiple countries and regional bodies. He also urged the General Assembly no longer recognize Security Council resolutions. He touched on reparations for African countries, the International Criminal Court, the International Atomic Energy Agency, investigations of wars and assassinations, and advocated moving the United Nations out of New York. His speech was chaotic, including ripping up the United Nations Charter and throwing documents off of the podium in awkward theatrics to prove his point. ¶6. France: President Sarkozy spoke at length on the economic crisis, saying that people cannot continue to live without hope and arguing that the International Monetary Fund and World Bank should be reformed. He insisted that a multi-polar world should not operate with a single (reserve) currency, that technology should be shared internationally (if necessary, funded by taxing excess profits and speculation) and that tax havens should be shut down. He advocated for a world environment organization, stating that "free trade should not impose its will." He warned Iran that it should not count on "passive reaction" from the international community regarding its nuclear ambitions. On Security Council reform, he advocated the increase in permanent and non-permanent seats, noting it was "unacceptable" that Africa, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany were excluded. ¶7. Ugandan President Museveni echoed Libyan calls for an USUN NEW Y 00000907 002 OF 002 African seat on the Security Council and spoke about economic issues affecting his country. Qatar's Amir Sheik Khalifa Al-Thani called on the UN to work towards peace - especially in Israel and Palestine - and supported climate change goals. Turkmenistan President Berdimuhamedov supported reform of the UN and spoke about issues effecting Central Asia. Chile and Uruguay both addressed the political issues in Honduras, Chilean President Bachelet supporting the San Jose Agreement and Uruguayan President Vazquez calling for a return of the "constitutional order." Vazquez also emphasized Uruguayan opposition to the Cuban embargo. Algerian President Bouteflika addressed the economic crisis and also perceived a "double standard" in issues of non-proliferation and human rights. Korean President Myung-bak stated his desire for a nuclear free Korean peninsula and more dialogue, within the six-party talks, with the DPRK. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED RICE