Resolution Concerning the Elimination of Coercive Measures as a Means of Political and Economic Compulsion

Thank you Mr. Chairman,

The United States opposes this resolution. It serves as a direct challenge to the prerogative of sovereign states to conduct freely their commercial relations. Member states should understand, moreover, that this resolution is aimed at undermining the international community’s ability to respond effectively to acts that – by their very nature and enormity – are offensive to international norms. There must be a consequence for such actions; otherwise, offending states will have no incentive or reason to abandon them.

Unilateral and multilateral economic sanctions can be an effective means to achieve legitimate foreign policy objectives. They constitute an influential diplomatic tool. The United States is not alone in holding this view or in following this practice. The UN Charter itself provides for use of sanctions to change the behavior of those who would challenge, or seek to undermine, international norms.

It should be remembered that not too long ago, the unilateral and multilateral economic sanctions imposed on the racist regimes in South Africa and then Rhodesia, underscored the international community’s solidarity with the people of these countries who were fighting for their dignity and freedom. The United States’ resolve was not merely symbolic; it was real, and took the form of carefully crafted economic decisions that spanned many years. And they had results.

These concrete measures, expressed in our national laws, had the broad support of the American people. Through these steps, positive change was realized. These results-oriented actions were appropriate then and remain so today. The U.S. continues to believe that states should act with the highest of standards, not the lowest – thereby obviating the need for such measures.