Former State President Le Duc Anh's remarks at 50th commemorative anniversary of United Nations

The following is the translation of his remarks delivered at the United Nations' commemoration of the 50th anniversary in New York, the US on October 23, 1995.

It is my particular pleasure, on behalf of the State and the people of Viet Nam, to attend the Special Commemorative Meeting for the 50^th anniversary of the United Nations. Over the past 50 years the United Nations has steadily grown. Its growth has been closely linked with the struggle of peoples for the right to self-determination and for the fundamental purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, namely international peace and security, development and prosperity for all nations, freedom and equality among nations whether large or small, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of States and the peaceful settlement of disputes. These purposes and principles of the United Nations constitute common values of all mankind; all nations and peoples hold the same responsibility to preserve and uphold them. Today, when international exchanges and interactions are taking place with an ever growing intensity, scope and complexity, adherence to these fundamental purposes and principles takes on particular importance.

Paradoxically, just when mankind has acquired the technology in effect to reduce the distance between the Earth and other celestial bodies, the gap between the rich and the poor has widened alarmingly. Every day, we continue to witness the human tragedy of countless innocent people who are victims of wars, conflicts, economic embargoes, epidemics and the scourge of drugs. As a nation that experienced the horrible famine of 1945 and several decades of the ravages of war and embargo, the Vietnamese people know all too well the sorrow and pain of war as well as the harshness of economic embargo and the deprivation of poverty. We therefore feel deep empathy with the sufferings and losses of other people and individuals . From this rostrum, let me join my voice to the earnest call for the international community to do its utmost for the enjoyment by all individuals and nations in the world of their fundamental rights to a life in peace, equality and development and to good economic and social relations among States and peoples.

On this occasion, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to all countries and international organizations, to His Excellency Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali and to the specialized agencies for their sympathy and valued assistance to Viet Nam. Viet Nam is committed to doing its utmost to make a worthy contribution to the lofty cause of the United Nations for peace, development, equality and justice, and for a finer world, as expressed in the motto of this special commemoration: “We the peoples of the United Nations … united for a better world”” a world without hatred or violence; a world of love and happiness./.