Algeria made its statement at the General Assembly in the course of discussion of the Secretary-General's report on the work of the UN.

ABDALLAH BAALI (Algeria) said that in many cases the United Nations had been successful in alleviating conflict situations through peacekeeping operations or other means. However, in other instances, failure was evident since perhaps because the Parties could not agree or the United Nations itself could not handle the situation. He noted that since all situations

were unique and needed to be addressed differently, the Security Council must play its role by demonstrating its determination and firmness in conflict situations. The sovereign will of States must be crystallized in accordance with the Charter, he added. The consensus of States was crucial whether they were talking about preventive diplomacy or peacekeeping.

It would be unacceptable for legal standards to be created without States involvement, he said. The International Criminal Court must play a dissuasive and preventive part, but Algeria would like to avoid over-

liberalism of that court system. It should not replace national courts, he stressed. Its credibility involved full respect for State sovereignty. International law must neither become the hostage of politicians nor should

it become something for larger Powers to accept when they wanted and change when they did not. He said the Council should, in all situations, aim to reduce or eliminate the effects of sanctions on vulnerable populations. In

view of that, Algeria called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iraq and Libya, which had fully cooperated with the United Nations.

He said that globalization erased differences and removed borders. However, universal civilization did not seem to be offended by extensive poverty or by the multiplicity of those who did not have access to social services. Globalization was both irreversible and irresistible. It carried risks of marginalization. Instead of being a factor of inclusion, it could become one of exclusion for the less developed countries, he noted.