United Nations : Following were the quotable quotes Saturday from the ongoing General Debate of the UN General Assembly:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, called for greater engagement between countries and UN Security Council’s reformation. “We must reform the United Nations, including the Security Council, and make it more democratic and participative. We need a genuine dialogue and engagement between countries. I say this from the conviction of the philosophical tradition that I come from. Our efforts must begin here — in the United Nations.”
Modi also said that terrorism had spread far and wide and that there was hardly any country that has stayed untouched by it. In a tangential reference to Pakistan, Modi said some countries still allowed terrorism to grow on their “territory or use terrorism as instruments of their policy”.
He urged the international community to put aside their differences and mount a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said the conflict in South Sudan is purely a political struggle for power — not an ethnic conflict as reported.
“The citizens displaced by the conflict, especially in the three States of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile, have sought refuge in the neighbouring States of Lakes, Warrap, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria and in the neighbouring countries. These innocent victims of the conflict urgently need and deserve humanitarian assistance. ”
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her country believes ” threat to peace anywhere is a threat for the entire humanity. In conformity with our principled position, we continue to express our full solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for self- determination”.
Fijian Prime Minister J.V. Bainimarama said: “Now every Fijian enjoys equal opportunity and a common identity — Fijian. This name that was once reserved for the indigenous majority but now applies to everyone from the Republic of Fiji, just as the common name American applies to all from the United States or to any Australian from Australia.”
Agila Saleh Essa, president of the House of Representatives of Libya, said “turning to a blind eye to terrorism in Libya is deemed unacceptable”. “Our people can no longer tolerate assassinations, humiliation, intimidation, suppression of freedoms, and human rights violations based on individual’s background and belief. ”