Press Release No. 146-03
3 April 2003
SPECIAL UNGA
SESSION ON IRAQ SHOULD FOCUS ON UNITING BEHIND EFFORTS TO ADDRESS HUMANITARIAN
ISSUES – OPLE
The Philippines believes that the proposed Special Session of the United
Nations General Assembly on Iraq, if to be held at all, should focus on the
serious issue of addressing the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq,
according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople.
“We continue to support the call made by United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan for the international community ‘not to dwell on the divisions
of the past’ and to ‘look for ways to forge stronger unity in the future,’”
the Secretary said.
“The world took a major step forward when the Security Council approved
unanimously the authority for the Secretary-General to revive the oil-for-food
program of Iraq. We were able to set aside our differences and focus
on what was important. We must continue to do so,” he added.
In an earlier statement, the Secretary had said that “we not only strongly
support the statement of the Secretary-General. We also commend him
for his wisdom and vision. “We must focus on the future. We must
remain united behind the commitment to ensure that Iraq can rejoin the community
of nations as an open and pluralistic country,” the Secretary added.
“The Philippines continues to wish for a bright future for the Iraqi people.
Peace, freedom and the rule of law are deep values that we share with the
United Nations and all nations which are committed to these values.
The Philippines hopes for a swift end to the war in Iraq, and will be an active
participant in rebuilding the new Iraq,” Secretary Ople said.
END.