Országgyűlési napló - 1999. évi tavaszi ülésszak
1999. május 3 (66. szám) - Nelson Mandela, a Dél-Afrikai Köztársaság elnökének beszéde (angol nyelven) - NELSON MANDELA, a Dél-Afrikai Köztársaság elnöke
2248 It is a matter of great pride that the international community has in turn itself drawn renewed hope for a better world from the way South Africans have joined hands across the divisions of centuries to work together for a soci ety that is true to the ideals in whose name you supported us. We are resolved to do all we can to work with our friends throughout the world for those principles which we share and from which we have benefited. Mr. Speaker, South Africans only a few days ago, on our national Freedom Day, celebrated the fifth anniversary of the day on which our people set our nation on the course of democracy though the majority of South Africans were denied the training and preparation to govern a complex modern society, r emarkable progress has been made. Despite weaknesses that we acknowledge and problems which we share with much of the world, like crime, corruption, unemployment and AIDS, the hopes you shared with us are becoming reality. Oppressive and discriminatory law s have been swept away. Literally millions of our people, especially the poorest of the poor, have felt the impact of government programmes to deliver basic services like clean water, decent housing and healthcare, electricity and telephones. What has mad e these changes possible is the unity of our people and the peace which our nation enjoys, as well as cooperation with our neighbours in Southern Africa, the countries of our continent and the whole international community. Within societies and between na tions, the achievement by any of us of our ideals depends on others achieving those same ideals. Whatever happens in one sector of society or one country, has an impact on others. The recent period of international financial turmoil has shown how far the e ffects of economic difficulties in one country can spread. Even if the impact can be mitigated by sound economic fundamentals such as our two economies enjoy, no economy is immune. And it remains true that the heaviest burden falls upon the weaker and the poorer nations. Nor can we insulate ourselves from the effects of violent conflicts. Whether it be in Africa or Europe, a conflict in one country can easily destabilize a whole region and threaten peace, stability and prosperity even more widely. One canno t be in Hungary at this time and not have one's anxiety about developments in the Balkans made deeper still. All conflicts reach a point at which neither side is absolutely right or wrong. Even from afar, one can only be deeply disturbed by the images we s ee on television of innocent victims of etnic cleansing and the violation of human rights. One can only be deeply concerned at the use of force without regard for the authority of the world body responsible for the collective resolution of conflict. It is these concerns that have led us to condemn both sides, and to support all the efforts that are being made to secure a return to negotiation to resolve the issues relating to Kosovo. Our own humble experience has shown that even those problems which seem in tractable and rooted in generations of experience can be resolved by talking and discussion. In particular it is our view that this crisis can only be resolved if, amongst other things, the Presidents of the United States and the Russian Federation sit dow n and talk. Mr. Speaker, If, I raise these issues so far from home, it is because in this interdependent worlds in which we live, all of us depend on our sustaining and strengthening the bodies which we have, as an international community, created to promo te economic equity and the peaceful resolution of conflict. It is also because our freedom was achieved with the support of those, including yourselves, who cared even though they were far removed from our oppression and suffering.
