REMARKS BY THE HON. VINCENT PEET,
ACTING MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
THE MODEL UNITED NATIONS SESSION (MUNS) 2006
4:00 P.M. - MONDAY 27 MARCH 2006
RADISSON CABLE BEACH CONVENTION CENTRE

Excellencies, 

Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps  

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  

Teachers and Distinguished Students of the participating schools,  

            It gives me great honour as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs to share in this important programme sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of New Providence and Abaco, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Model United Nations Session is a unique programme which is designed to bring you together today to provide a forum for you to assume the role of an Ambassador for a day.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs views the Model United Nations Session as an invaluable Programme which serves as a significant source of stimulation for young and vibrant Bahamian minds, transporting them for the moment, from our homeland to the international stage of the United Nations, a global partnership representing different countries and cultures from around the world.  The Ministry is therefore, pleased to be associated with this important work of the Rotary Clubs in The Bahamas.  

            The Bahamas remains committed to the United Nations and its obligations to promote and maintain global peace and security and to improve the quality of life for all peoples of the world.  It considers therefore, its participation in the United Nations as the foundation of its foreign policy.  The Bahamas plays an active role, not only within the regional grouping of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but also in matters of common interest to the international community such as climate change, the fight against HIV/AIDS and the reform of the United Nations, including the equitable representation on and the increase of membership of the Security Council.   

Just last week, The Bahamas hosted a crucial meeting between the CARICOM Foreign Ministers and the United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.  Among those issues discussed at the meeting was that of support for the democratically-elected Government of Haiti, an issue of great concern to all of us in the region.  Today, the United Nations Security Council is also giving attention to the situation in Haiti and is convening an Open Debate on Haiti to demonstrate the collective United Nations support for President-elect René Preval and for the second round of elections which are to take place in Haiti in April 2006.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service, the Hon. Frederick Mitchell, in his capacity as Chairman of the CARICOM Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) is addressing the Security Council on behalf of CARICOM. This example shows how efforts made at the regional level can be supported at the global level, with the view to seeking a viable solution to a painstaking situation.  

            I draw this parallel, to highlight the significance of your topic for debate here today.  “Is there equality within the United Nations?”   On the one hand, some of you who represent smaller countries may argue that the smallness of your country resigns you to accept what the more powerful members of the United Nations deem for you.  On the other hand, the distinguishing factor of size compels you to ensure that the voice of your country is not a lone voice crying in the wilderness, but rather, one that echoes forth with the right to be heard.  Each of you will seek to represent your country with pride, be it as small as Haiti or Fiji, or as large as the United States or China.  You will aim to convince this Assembly that your view point is one of merit.  Your country, as do all countries, has a right to exist and to do so in dignity.   It is through the United Nations that international conflicts and differences between big and small countries are resolved as that Organization serves as an instrument for the greater good of all, to solve problems through dialogue and negotiations.   

            Over the past few months, I am sure that you have spent long hours in preparation for this event.   You, together with your school advisors and team mates, have taken great efforts to gather the relevant information on your country.  Today, is the time for you to display your communication skills and to bring into reality, those vital ideas which lie dormant in your energetic, young minds.  Your determination, your expertise in the art of public speaking and your desire to convince us here, that your country’s position is significant and essential are key elements to a meaningful debate.   I look forward to an inspiring time as you espouse the views of the country you represent on this worthwhile topic. 

            I wish to take this opportunity to again congratulate the students of Queens College, the winners of last year’s competition.  For those of you competing this year, I wish you well and I know that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be eager to welcome the winning team to the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, when he participates in the General Debate in September.  I am sure that the tour of the United Nations and that of the City of New York will be a memorable occasion.   

            Finally, I wish to reiterate the appreciation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Rotary Clubs of New Providence and Abaco for their tireless effort in ensuring that this event takes place each year.  In particular, I wish to thank Mr. Charles Stuart, the co-ordinator of MUNS – 2006. I also take this opportunity to thank the International Relations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the resource officers for availing themselves to the participating schools.  

            I wish you all every success in your debate.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
24 March 2006