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Canada & the UN > Newton Bowles Reports
The Americas Argentina Peace and economic well-being are indissoluble. The Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR) is a model of democratic cooperation. A southern "zone of peace" was declared at the MERCOSUR summit in Argentina July 1998. Besides adhering to the Tlateloco Treaty banning nuclear weapons in Latin America, Argentina has promoted control of chemical and biological weapons in the region. Argentina maintains its 40-year participation in U.N. peacekeeping. Wants to talk the British out of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands. Brazil Growing interdependence requires effective international governance, for peace, development, financial stability. Brazil has led in efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament. His government seeks to conform national law to international norms of human rights, recognizing the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The U.N. needs to be brought up to date to assure international trust and support. Mexico Touches on three among many big issues: Disarmament: nuclear weapons must be eliminated, deplores tests, small arms linked to drug trade must be controlled. Reform of the U.N., especially the Security Council, is basic for the next century. The international financial crisis demands some form of regulation. Mexico was a prime mover for the 1998 special G.A. session on drugs; and has pressed for the adoption of the Convention to Protect Migrant Workers. Canada We face an even more precarious new century, insecure politically, economically, socially. For Canada, the U.N. Charter is our moral compass; the U.N. system is the instrument for achieving our goals. Canada has a comprehensive approach to disarmament: the land mines treaty taking effect in March 1999; the regulation of small arms linked to the traffic in drugs; nuclear weapons control and disarmament. Canada in 1945 decided not to develop a nuclear arsenal; and since 1968 has consistently supported the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tests by India and Pakistan threaten that control regime. To address causes of conflict, Canada is helping some countries to recover from war through the Canadian Peace Building Initiative. The fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights is a time to renew political and financial support for the many implementing conventions. Special attention to women and children. International Criminal Court will help deter violators. Poor countries are prone to conflict. Canada has forgiven nearly all development-related debt of the least-developed countries. Security Council should take a broader approach to security and be
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