Speech by Comrade Ramiz Alia at the 45th session of the UN General Assembly It is a particular pleasure for me to address this session of the General Assembly, which also marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of the UN. At the same time, it is among my rights to extend my greetings to you on your election to the high office of President of the UN General Assembly and to wish you success in carrying out this noble duty. We have come to this important meeting with the desire to contribute, to the extent of our abilities, to strengthening the spirit of international cooperation, so that peace and security may be guaranteed for all countries and peoples, whether small or large. The year since the previous session of the Assembly has been filled with many events, at times promising and at times threatening. But what emerges is the birth of a hope that, at last, humanity on the threshold of the twenty-first century may be guided by reason rather than force in resolving conflicts, by cooperation rather than confrontation, and by understanding rather than mistrust. It is highly encouraging that, despite the difficulties, the concept is gaining ground that the security of peoples and nations can be real and lasting if general security is established for everyone, just as political détente can have a firm basis if the gap in economic development between different countries is narrowed, and if poor countries are helped to enter the general current of modern development and benefit from the material and spiritual resources of our time. Of course, various political, ideological, economic and social conflicts have not ceased to exist, nor have the causes and factors that gave rise to them been eliminated. Nevertheless, what matters is that a general understanding is taking shape that international problems cannot be resolved with old concepts and methods, and that threats and dangers to peace and general security cannot be eliminated in that way. If the process of reducing tension is further consolidated and affirmed, with the active participation of the entire international community, we would be justified in considering it not only a great achievement, but also a fundamental positive turning point in building new international relations. It seems to me that what is happening in Europe, and what has come to be called the process of European cooperation and security, is moving in this direction. Europe, the situation on this continent, and relations among its nations and peoples have, at least until now, been the source of the overwhelming majority of positive and negative developments in the world. The great conflicts that later engulfed the whole world had their origins here, as did the main currents of political, ideological and cultural thought that dominated the centuries. On the basis of the great European wars, superhuman suffering and sacrifice, and reflection on all of Europe’s tragedies, illusions and disillusionments, bold and noble initiatives were also born, aimed at enabling the peoples and nations of Europe to live in peace and friendship with one another. My country is a small country. But the Albanian people are among the oldest inhabitants of the European continent. Throughout their existence, they have never attacked anyone, never instigated armed conflicts, and never threatened or infringed upon the security of their neighbours. On the contrary, they have suffered and fought to preserve their existence and to help others. Gjergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu—our National Hero of the fifteenth century—was and remains a symbol of the illustrious warrior, not only in the defence of his own people, but also as a great early defender of European humanism and civilization. History has not treated the Albanian people kindly, either in ancient times or in modern times. But it has taught them many things as well. It has taught them from this necessity, this reality and this objective that we have proceeded in opposing the policies of military blocs and the division of areas of influence, closed markets and neocolonialist policies, the arms race and political and economic gains, arbitrariness and diktat. We have been and remain in favour of the democratization of international relations, in which the voice of every country is heard and taken into account. It is true that the world’s great powers have a special responsibility for preserving and strengthening peace. But this cannot justify or direct diktats and impositions, nor can it give them the right to dictate. Their political or ideological norms and criteria, the achievements of their political and social development, and the conduct of major states in international relations and in preserving peace must be applied reciprocally and equally to all countries. History has taught the Albanian people that, in order to preserve their freedom, independence, national sovereignty, originality and identity, they must fight and courageously oppose every attempt to infringe upon them, just as it has taught them to support and uphold all international actions and initiatives that contribute to strengthening peace and general security. peace and general security. [So that] the process of Balkan cooperation may advance along democratic lines and serve the vital interests of the peoples of this peninsula. At present, one of the sharpest and most troubling problems in the Balkans is that of the Albanians in Yugoslavia, against whom the government of Serbia is pursuing an overt policy of genocide, a fact verified by many international forums and made known to world public opinion. In Kosovo and in the other parts of Yugoslavia inhabited by Albanians, crimes are being committed that would be abhorrent even for the Dark Ages. The main issue is not merely that Albanians are denied standard human rights. Everyone now knows that these are violated in the most barbaric manner. The fundamental issue is that Albanians are denied the right to exist, the right to live. Serbia’s unlawful dissolution of the Assembly of Kosovo, the forcible seizure by police of Radio and Television, the banning of the press in the Albanian language, the dismissal of thousands of Albanians from their jobs and their replacement by Serbs, clearly express the aim of the Serbian authorities to resolve the Albanian question through force and terror, not dialogue. The international community cannot and must not remain indifferent to this situation. Europe in particular cannot remain indifferent, since, as the architect of the Balkan map at the beginning of this century, it bears not only moral but also historical responsibility for the martyrdom of the Albanians in Yugoslavia. The Albanians in Yugoslavia, who represent the oldest indigenous population among all the peoples of that state, rank third in population among the nations that make up Yugoslavia, and have lived for centuries on their own lands in a compact territory, are asking for no more rights than the Serbs, Slovenes, Croats or Macedonians have. But they have not accepted and will not accept having fewer. They want to be an equal subject, just like the other nations that make up Yugoslavia. Albanians want the right to decide their own fate to be recognized. They wish to live in a Yugoslav federation or confederation, if the other nations also favour these forms of government. The right of nations to self-determination is one of the greatest rights humanity has won; it is therefore enshrined in the UN Charter and has now become one of the fundamental principles of the democratic processes taking place in Europe and the world. As for Albania, it favours good-neighbourly relations with Yugoslavia and broad, comprehensive cooperation with it. We will continue to work in this direction and hope that reason and wisdom will prevail in resolving the problems of Kosovo, so that Serbia does not turn them into a conflict that would endanger peace and security not only in Yugoslavia, but also in the Balkans and beyond. The Albanian people have always sincerely wished and desired to live in friendship with all neighbouring peoples. Good relations between Albania and Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy, as well as with others, and the closest possible cooperation based on respect and mutual benefit, are among the fundamental strategic directions of its foreign policy. Mr. President, On this anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Albania joins in extending its best wishes for the strengthening and advancement of the Organization. We would like to reaffirm once again our commitment to the UN and its Charter, as well as our support for its work in the service of peace, security and international cooperation. Our respect and esteem for the UN Charter stem from the fact that it embodies a democratic ideal for regulating international relations, an ideal that reflects the tragic experience of the devastating wars that engulfed Europe and the world during this century, particularly the peoples’ struggle against fascism, in which the Albanian people also took part. The UN Charter and its «abthimi [?]» correctly, in our view, constitute the best framework for protecting and harmonizing the interests of sovereign states and peoples and of the entire world community. If we adhere to this Charter, the various conflicts that arise can be resolved peacefully, to the benefit both of the parties and of peace and general security. The importance of the UN, it seems to us, is growing even further at the present time, when many issues—such as disarmament, environmental protection, the fight against drugs, the advancement of the economic development of all countries, the protection of children, and the development of education, science and technology—have become global problems that cannot be resolved through effor- (Continued on page 2) In this context, the changes that have taken place in relations between the United States of America and the Soviet Union, the agreements they have concluded on disarmament, and, generally, the way they view mutual and general security, cannot but be regarded as promising. A rapprochement between the superpowers would become global and extend to sectors other than arms, and would lead to beneficial results for everyone. Nevertheless, in the situation we find ourselves in, we cannot say that the policies and practices born of bloc thinking have been overcome. Worse still, there has been no abandonment of arrogance inspired by the politics of force, reflected in continued attempts to impose on others various models, standards and schemes of political or social development. Life has shown that pressure to make these compulsory for every country has led to conflicts from which the world still suffers today. Mr. President, Albania has followed closely and unequivocally welcomed the democratic processes currently unfolding in Europe. We consider the CSCE process to be of particular importance, and not only for Europe; our country has now joined it and taken part in a number of its activities. The Albanian people have shared their fate with that of the peoples of this continent in every era and at all times. It is precisely for this reason that Albania considers itself an active participant in the processes taking place in Europe. It awaits with interest the summit meeting to be held in Paris, which, building on the Helsinki Final Act and the other CSCE documents, will provide for its institutionalization. Albania, which wishes to participate with full rights in the Paris meeting, will work in the spirit of the obligations that will arise from it. All efforts, initiatives or ideas aimed at ending Europe’s division into blocs and spheres of influence, or into other forms inherited from the past, and at respecting the freedom, independence and sovereignty of every people and state, have our country’s unreserved support. Every proposal and action to reduce tension and strengthen peace through dialogue and understanding, on the basis of equality and full mutual respect, and every decision or suggestion intended to protect human rights and national and democratic freedoms, will also receive our full support. The current changes taking place in Central and Eastern Europe, the complex and still unresolved situations emerging in this vast region, and the new and diverse contradictions arising there—which are not dictated by old forms but reflect the times—require serious reflection and careful attention from everyone. The exaltation of democracy and human rights alone cannot be a magic key that will solve the major, indeed dramatic, problems of these countries. It is a proven fact that in some countries these movements are leading to anarchy, a decline and degradation of political, social and economic life, to clashes and confrontations bearing the characteristics of civil war. Like the rest of the world, European countries too are at different stages of economic, social and other kinds of development. These are the result of different historical paths of development, which together have also determined and conditioned their political ways of life. It would be desirable for all European countries to be at the same economic, political, cultural and other levels. But, in our view, this level cannot be achieved through advice alone, however wise it may be, and contradictions and conflicts would not be eliminated. Life has shown that without the economic development of all, without fruitful cooperation that creates opportunities for others to advance, and without establishing sincere and equal relations among states, based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs in any form, no genuine security can be achieved, just as no democratic, progressive and stable community of European peoples can be created. The changes in Europe also led to the unification of Germany, which removed one of the acute problems that had dominated the European political scene for the past 45 years. The German nation’s right to reunification is indisputable. The peaceful resolution of problems such as German unification is a good example for other problems of this kind bequeathed by history. Such solutions also greatly help democratize international relations, strengthen peace and security, and create the conditions for sincere and constructive cooperation among peoples. Albania sincerely hopes that a united Germany, representing a great economic and political power, will be a factor for peace and stability in Europe and beyond, and will serve the better future of our old continent. Within the framework of the European cooperation and security process, regional cooperation is also acquiring particular importance. The process of Balkan cooperation is one such example, and Albania attaches special importance to it. It is making every effort to contribute to its progress and success to the greatest extent possible. We believe, and are convinced, that this process contributes not only to strengthening security and cooperation in this highly delicate region, but also directly serves the cause of peace and stability in Europe and the Mediterranean. But the Balkans also has its specific problems, which have left it behind in many respects and prevent it from joining European currents and becoming an integrating factor for our continent. The fundamental problem—or, rather, the source of all the conflicts, enmities and resentments among the Balkan states during this century—has been that of national minorities. The time has come, and the democratic processes taking place in Europe and throughout the world require, for the Balkan countries to confront this problem with wisdom, rationality and objectivity. However complicated and difficult it may seem, we believe that solutions can be found, and that minorities can be transformed from a source of discord into a link of communication and cooperation, bringing peoples and minorities closer together through the paths of resolution and understanding. As for Albania, it has the goodwill and is ready to make its contribution