PROLOGUE
The principles that inspired the United Nations
are the heritage of today´s Western civilization. Peaceful settlement
of conflicts, observance of the precepts of international law, mediation,
respect for the principle of equal rights, international cooperation
and the system of protection and defense of human rights constitute
a conquest that the entire human race can rightly be proud of.
Colombia has contributed theses that form part
of the body of Interamerican law to the existence of this international
organization, such as those referring to good faith in the application
of treaties, the intangibility of these treaties, the possibility
of regional entities, such as the OAS and the inclusion of legal principles
which serve as the basis for interpretation of the entire Charter
text.
We have also given the Organization the intelligence
of some of our best and most honored public figures such as Alberto
Lleras Camargo, Eduardo Zuleta Angel, Carlos Lleras Restrepo, Alfonso
López Pumarejo, Indalecio Liévano Aguirre.
For this reason, the best and most appropriate
contribution to the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the
United Nations in our country, is this volume which at the initiative
of the National Preparatory Committee and under the auspices of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, complies and analyzes the participation
and contributions made by Colombia to the tasks of the Organization.
The history of Colombia´s contribution
could not remain within the circle of those people who work on international
issues in a specialized manner. It was essential that it be made public,
that it be opened up to the view of Colombians, who can feel proud
of this heritage. This dual goal of awareness and widespread dissemination
has been achieved through this brilliant work of documentary compilation
and synthesis undertaken by Carlos Holguín and Alvaro Tirajo
Mejía.
As our people peruse its pages they will have
the opportunity to understand this legacy of principles and rules
of international law which constitute the cornerstone of our foreign
policy.
Fifty years ago, with a delegation presided by
Alberto Lleras Camargo, Colombia became a founding member of the United
Nations. At Conferences in Mexico City and San Francisco, Colombia
actively participated, presented solid positions, acted as leader
for the group of Latin American countries and was able not only to
make its arguments heard, but also to cause reflection on the newborn
articles of the Charter, principles that have traditionally governed
our international conduct.
In the person of the illustrious figure of Alberto
Lleras Camargo, Colombia made its contribution to the drafting of
the Chapultepec Act, by means of which regional organizations were
forged into the ideal arena for the solutions of conflicts, respecting
the equality of states by excluding the veto, a mechanism with respect
to which our country has always manifested an unwavering opposition.
In recognition of these contributions and its
tradition of respect for international law and peaceful settlement
of controversies which we have been constructing since the founding
of the Organization, Colombia has been elected five times to the Security
Council and six times to the Economic and Social Council.
In fulfillment of our responsibilities, all our
acts have been marked by a permanent defense of democracy, of peaceful
means of solving conflicts and by an unceasing struggle on behalf
of world solidarity and cooperation in favor of equitable development
for all peoples.
Since the signing of the San Francisco Charter
and until today, a transformation of the international scene has been
occurring. The process of decolonization, the end of the Cold War,
the fall of the Berlin Wall, the disintegration of the Soviet Union,
have brought an end to the bipolarity that prevailed some fifty years
ago.
Today the Organization confronts growing challenges
in a world of ever increasing interdependency: the flows of refugees,
preservation of the environment, persistent poverty, the growth of
violence and terrorism, xenophobia, corruption, narcotraffic, global
efforts to promote equitable and sustained development.
These new challenges require a concept of shared
responsibility and of ever more efficient cooperation and solidarity.
They therefore demand a redefinition of the United Nations in order
to provide it with the ideal necessary instrument to be able to assume
and overcome the complexities of this stage of history which carries
us toward the dawning of the 21st century.
Colombia, as a founder of historical initiatives
at the time of the founding of the Organization, wishes to continue
being a participant and designer of the reforms underway, so that
we can offer tools and spaces to future generations that will allow
them to come ever closer to the objectives of peace and development
established in the Charter.
ERNESTO SAMPER PIZANO
President of Colombia
Santafé de Bogotá, D.C. September
20, 1995
